Panka, Ladislaus F.
Attorney-at-law. Social worker. Born Feb. 2, 1890 near Warsaw, Poland. The son of Valentine and Joanna N. nee Wojciechowski-Panka. Came to U.S. with his mother in April, 1892. Arrived at Philadelphia and proceeded at once to Chicago to join his father Valentine Panka. Resides in Chicago since his arrival. Educated at the St. Michael parochial school and Wm. K. Sullivan public school; attended St. Cyril's College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1910; attended Chicago Kent College of Law and in 1913 received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. For a short time associated with a firm of Chicago attorneys, and in 1914 appointed to the Internal Revenue Office, Chicago, Ill. Continued his legal studies, specializing in Real Estate Law. Coorganizer of the Polish-American Democratic Organization of Illinois, and its first secretary. Advanced from one important post to another, and today holds the position of Ass't. Chief Investigator in the office of the Corporation Counsel of Chicago. Since early youth active in the social work among Americans of Polish extraction; member of the Polish National Alliance, Polish Alma Mater, Polish Falcons Alliance, Chicago Society and Polish Singers Alliance of America. At the age of 11 became a member of a juvenile chorus. When 18, joined the Dembinski Chorus No. 18 of Alliance. In 1926 became National Vice-President of the Polish Singers Alliance of America and in 1927 elected president of said organization, which post he still holds. In 1939 received the Golden Cross of Merit from the Polish Government for his services rendered to the Polish Immigration in U.S. Resides in Chicago, Ill.From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943