Bolek, Rev. Francis, MA
Professor. Statistician. Author. Born on September 11, 1886 in Zaleze. Poland; son of Jan and Petronela (Osika) Bolek. Educated in Jaslo, Rzeszow, Przemysl. Ordained on June 29, 1910, in Przemysl, Poland. Assistant 1910 1914. Administrator 1914. War Chaplain of Austrian Army until 1918. War Chaplain in Polish-Bolshevik War, 1918-1920. War prisoner in Moscow, Russia, 1920-1922. Teacher of Polish at Adam Mickiewicz Gymnasium in Pruzana, Poland, 1922-1924. Came to U.S. in 1924 and 1926 taught Polish at Alliance College, Cambridge Springs, Pa., 1928-1931. Pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka parish. Sharon, Pa., 1931-1941. Teacher of Polish at St. Francis High School (Minor Seminary), Athol Springs, N. Y., since 1941. Active in educational movement of Polish immigration in U.S. Organized about 18 Polish schools for five thousand children; organized 28 clubs for Polish youth and several societies. Edited and published for several years a periodical: "The Statistics," dedicated to the life of Polish immigration.
Wrote several books:
"Narod i Lud w Dzielach Wyspianskiego"; "Katolicyzm Juljusza Slowackiego"; "Wesele Wiejskie," for stage:
"Historja Zniesienia Zaleznosci Poddanczej Chlopow w Polsce" (Contest); "Arcybiskup Cieplak i Dzieci." (brochure); "Casimir Pulaski"; "Town and Places Founded by Polish Immigrants in United States," 1931, "Who's Who in Polish America," 1939, first edition, 1940 second edition and in 1943, third edition. Besides several pamphlets and brochures in Polish and English, contributed articles to many papers, magazines and periodicals, Polish and English. Hobbies: Collects badges, pins and medals of Polish religious and other organizations. His unique collection contains over two thousand items. He collects also the archaic items regarding Polish immigration; this collection has over four thousand items. Member: the Modern Languages Association of America, Slavonic Group; American Association of Teachers of Slavonic and East European Languages; Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences in America; Historical Department, Research Work of Polish Immigration in United States: Polish Historical Association of Archives and Museum of Polish Roman Catholic Union in Chicago, Ill. Member of several other societies and organizations. Veteran of World War I.
Resides in Athol Springs, N. Y.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943