Before he was Frank Samuelson, father of Paul, he was Ephraim Chodorowski from Ratzki-Russia (now Poland)

Thanks to an inquiry regarding Paul Samuelson’s father’s geographic roots from loyal Economics in the Rear-view Mirror friends Krzysztof Nowak-Posadzy and Piotr P. Pieniążek, I have pulled up a few artifacts to add to the digital record of Paul Samuelson’s ancestry.

In case you ever wondered: the pre-Samuelson surname of the family was “Chodorowski”.

Ephraim Chodorowski arrived in New York on the steamship Blücher in November 1904, sailing in steerage (the historical analogue to what economy class air travel has become). The records indicate that he used both his birth name as well as his new name “Frank Samuelson” for about a decade.

On the issue of Paul Samuelson’s parents being first cousins: from death records of the state of Illinois for Frank Samuelson and Ella Lypski Samuelson’s brother Alfred Meyer Lypski we find:

Frank Samuelson’s parents (Leo Chodorowski and Jennie Epstein);
Ella Lypski’s parents (Meyer Lypski and Anna Epstein)

It is not too much of a stretch to presume that Jennie and Anna Epstein were sisters which is entirely consistent with Frank Samuelson and Ella Lypski having been first cousins.

A low-quality copy of Frank Samuelson’s 1922 passport photo turned up in my search of the ancestry.com databases. Still it is cool to have found.

Somewhat inconsistently (apologies) I use underlined italics to indicate handwritten insertions into official records. Bold-face is sometimes used within documents to indicate information that has been stamped into spaces for the declarations of intention for naturalization.

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Frank Samuelson’s 1939 obituary

SAMUELSON—Frank [Chodorovski] Samuelson, beloved husband of Ella, dear father of Harold, Paul, and Robert, fond brother of Herman, Irving, Edda Gurevitz of Kovno, Rachiel, and Rachel Schah of Kishinev. Funeral Tuesday. 3 p.m., at chapel, 3125 Roosevelt-rd. Burial Jewish Waldheim.

Source: Chicago Tribune (May 9, 1939), p. 25.

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State of Illinois Death Record
for Frank Samuelson

Name: Frank Samuelson
Birth Date: 1 Aug 1886
Birth Place: Ratzki, Poland
Death Date: 8 May 1939
Death Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Burial Date: 9 May 1939
Burial Place: Forest Park, Cook, Ill.
Cemetery Name: Cong. A Israel
Death Age: 52
Occupation: Pharmacist
Race: White
Marital Status: M
Gender: Male
Residence: Chicago, Cook, Ill.
Father Name: Leo Samuelson (sic)
Father Birthplace: Ratzki, Poland
Mother Name: Jennie Epstein
Mother Birth Place: Ratki, Poland
Spouse Name: Ella Samuelson
FHL Film Number: 19153415

Source: Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 accessed through Ancestry.com

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From the Passenger Lists
from Hamburg, November 1904

Name: Ephraim Chodorowski
Gender: Male
Ethnicity/Nationality: Russian
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Kaufmann [most likely meaning retail salesperson]
Departure Age: 20
Birth Date: abt 1884
Residence Place: Racki (sic)
Departure Date: 19 Nov 1904
Departure Place: Hamburg, Germany
Arrival Places: Dover; Boulogne-sur-Mer; New York
Ship Name: Blücher
Shipping Line: Hamburg-Amerika Linie (Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft)
Ship Type: Steamship
Ship Flag: Germany
Accommodation: Steerage

Source:  Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850-1934. Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Auswandererlisten, Volume 373-7 I, VIII A 1, Band 160. Accessed through ancestry.com website.

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Declarations of intention for naturalization
by Frank Samuelson (Ephraim Chodorowski) and his cousin Frank Lipski
filed on 18 March 1910

United States of America
Department of Commerce and Labor
Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization
Division of Naturalization

DECLARATION OF INTENTION
(Invalid for all purposes seven years after the date hereof)

Circuit Court of the United States, Northern District of Illinois

ss: In the Circuit Court of The United States

I, Ephraim Chodorowski, aged 24 years, occupation Druggist, do declare on oath/affirm that my personal description is: Color white, complexion fair, height 5 feet 6 inches, weight 143 pounds, color of hair brown, color of eyes gray other visible distinctive marks none; I was born in Ratzka Russia, on the 15^th day of September, anno Domini 1885; I now reside at 1137 Desplains Street.

I emigrated to the United States of America from Hamburg Germany on the vessel Bluecher; my last foreign residence was Varsau Russia.

It is my bona fide intention to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly to Nicholas II Emperor of all the Russias, of which I am now a citizen/subject; I arrived at the port of New York, in the State of New York on or about the 30^th day of November, anno Domini 1904; I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein: SO HELP ME GOD.

[signed] Ephraim Chodorowski
(Original signature of declarant)

Subscribed and sworn to/affirmed before me this 18^th day of March, anno Domini 1910

H. S. STODDARD, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the United States, Northern District of Illinois.
By Alma [sp?] V. Shoemaker, Deputy Clerk.

Source: U.S. Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991. Circuit Court, Northern District, Illinois. Declarations V. 6 (P29-End)-9, 1909-10. Accessed at ancestry.com.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

United States of America
Department of Commerce and Labor
Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization
Division of Naturalization

DECLARATION OF INTENTION
(Invalid for all purposes seven years after the date hereof)

Circuit Court of the United States, Northern District of Illinois

ss: In the Circuit Court of The United States

I, Frank Lypski, aged 19 years, occupation Druggist, do declare on oath/affirm that my personal description is: Color white, complexion fair, height 5 feet 5 inches, weight 145 pounds, color of hair brown, color of eyes brown other visible distinctive marks none; I was born in Suvalki Russia, on the ???^th [28^th in other records] day of December, anno Domini 1890; I now reside at 1135 Desplains Street.

I emigrated to the United States of America from Liverpool England on the vessel Romania; my last foreign residence was Suvalki Russia.

It is my bona fide intention to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particulary to Nicholas II Emperor of all the Russias, of which I am now a citizen/subject; I arrived at the port of New York, in the State of New York on or about the 23^rd day of March, anno Domini 1902; I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein: SO HELP ME GOD.

[signed] Frank Lypski
(Original signature of declarant)

Subscribed and sworn to/affirmed before me this 18^th day of March, anno Domini 1910

H. S. STODDARD, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the United States, Northern District of Illinois.
By Alma [sp?] V. Shoemaker, Deputy Clerk.

Source: U.S. Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991. Circuit Court, Northern District, Illinois. Declarations V. 6 (P29-End)-9, 1909-10. Accessed at ancestry.com.

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1910 U.S. Census
Chicago City, Cook County, Illinois
Enumerated April 16, 1910

Head of Household: Jacob Stiene (28 yrs)
[note original name probably Gladstein as seen in a letter to Alfred Lypski in his passport application, in other records the surname was spelled “Stine”.]

Wife of Head of Household: Fannie Stiene (22 yrs)

Brothers-in-law of head of household: Alfred (23 yrs, single) and Frank (19 yrs, single) Lypski

Sisters-in-law of head of household: Ella (22 yrs, single) and Sarah Lypski (16 yrs, single)

[So the Lypski siblings were Fannie, Alfred, Frank, Ella, and Sarah. Ella and Fannie look to be twins. Jacob and Frank share a grandfather.]

Frank Samuelson:

Cousin of Head of Household: [sic, actually Frank was the cousin of the wife of the household and so necessarily cousin of her brothers and sisters listed.]

Age in 1910: 24
Birth Date: 1886
Birthplace: Russia
Home in 1910: Chicago Ward 19, Cook, Illinois
Street: 1135 Des Plaines Street
Race: White
Gender: Male
Immigration Year: 1904
Relation to Head of House: Cousin
Marital Status: Single
Father’s Birthplace: Russia
Mother’s Birthplace: Russia
Able to speak English: English
Occupation: Drug [store]
Industry: Clerk
Employer, Employee or Other: Wage Earner
Attended School: Y
Able to read: Y
Able to write: Y
Out of work: N
Number of weeks out of work: 0

______________

Naturalization Petition: C-362

Family name: Chodarowski (sic)
Given name or names: Efhraim
Address: 1780 Broadway, Gary, Ind.
Certificate no. (or vol. and page): P-782
Title and location of court: US Dist., Lake Co., Hammond Ind.
Country of birth or allegiance: Russia
When born (or age): Sept. 15, 1885
Date and port of arrival in US: [blank]
Date of naturalization: Oct. 16, 1917

Source: U.S. Federal Naturalization Records, District and Circuit Courts, Northern District, Illinois, Index to Naturalization Petitions. Accessed through Ancestry.com

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DRAFT REGISTRATION CARD, 1918

First name: Frank
Middle name: [blank]
Last name: Samuelson
Permanent Home Address: 508 Polk, Gary, Lake County, Ind.
Age in years: 33
Date of birth:  August 15^th, 1885
Race: White [checked]
U.S. Citizen: Naturalized [checked]
Present Occupation: Druggist
Employer’s Name: Economical Drug Store
Place or Employment or Business: 1651 Broadway, Gary, Lake County, Ind.
Nearest Relative: Ella Samuelson, 508 Polk, Gary, Lake County, Ind.

[signed] Frank Samuelson

REGISTRAR’S REPORT

Description of Registrant

Height: Medium
Build: Medium
Color of Eyes: Gray
Color of Hair: Brown
Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is he obviously physically disqualified? (Specify.) No.

[Signed by Magistrar]
Date of Registration Sept. 12, 1918

Local Board
Div. No. 1
Gary, Indiana
Federal Bldg.

Source.  U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, Indiana, Gary City 1. Accessed through Ancestry.com

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U.S. Passport Application
(Form for Naturalized Citizen,
edition of January, 1919)

United States of America,
State of Indiana
County of Lake

I, Frank Samuelson, a Naturalized and Loyal Citizen of the United States, hereby apply to the Department of State, at Washington, for a passport. For myself.

I solemnly swear that I was born at Ratzki-Russia on August 15^th, 1885; that my father, Leo Samuelson, was born in Russia and is now residing at Roumania; that I emigrated to the United States, sailing from Hamburg Germany about Nov 1^st , 1904; that I resided 17 years, uninterruptedly, in the United States from 1904 to 1922, at Chicago IIl. 5 Yrs. Gary Ind. 12 Yrs that I was naturalized as a citizen of the United States before the District Court of United States at Hammond Indiana, on Oct. 16^th, 1917, as shown by the Certificate of Naturalization presented herewith; that I am the identical person described in said Certificate that I have reside outside the United States since my naturalization at the following places on the following periods: [left deliberately blank] and that I am domiciled in the United States my permanent residence being at Gary in the State of Indiana, where I follow the occupation of Druggist.

My last passport was obtained from Never had one on [“Date”, left deliberately blank] and was [“Disposition of passport”, left deliberately blank]. I am about to go abroad temporarily, and intend to return to the United States within one year with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein: and I desire a passport for use in visiting the countries hereinafter named for the following purposes:

Roumania, Poland, Lithawania to visit father, sisters and other relatives.

I intend to leave the United States from the port of New York , sailing on board the Olympia on Aug 12, 1922.

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

Further, I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion: So help me God.

[signed:]  Frank Samuelson

Sworn to before me this 13^th day
of July, 1922
Chas . [illegible]
Deputy Clerk of the U.S. Dist. Court at Hammond Indiana

Description of Applicant.

Age: 36 years
Stature: 5 feet, 6 inches, Eng.
Forehead: High
Eyes: gray
Nose: medium
Mouth: small
Chin: medium
Hair: brown
Complexion: medium
Face: medium
Distinguishing marks: moles on right cheek

IDENTIFICATION

July 13, 1922

I, Jacob Brooks, solemnly swear that I am a native/naturalized citizen of the United States; that I reside at Chicago, Illinois; that I have known the above, named Frank Samuelson personally for 10 years and know him/her to be the identical person referred to in the within-described certificate of naturalization; and that the facts stated in his/her affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

[signed:] Jacob Brooks
(Occupation) Druggist
(Address of witness) 915-E 55^th St., Chicago Ills

Sworn to before me this 13^th day
of July, 1922
Chas . [illegible]
Deputy Clerk of the U.S. Dist. Court at Hammond Indiana

Applicant desires passport to be sent to the following address:

Frank Samuelson
356 Adams St.
Gary Indiana

A signed duplicate of the photograph to be attached
hereto must be sent to the Department with the appli-
cation, to be affixed to the passport with an impression
of the Department’s seal. [see top of this post]

Source.  U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925. Roll 2017/1922. Accessed through Ancestry.com

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Illinois Death Index

Name: Alfred Meyer Lypski [brother of Ella Lypski Samuelson]
Birth Date: abt 1887
Death Date: 12 Feb 1936
Death Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Death Age: 49
Gender: Male
Father Name: Meyer Lypski
Mother Name: Rebecca Epstein
Spouse Name: Jennie Lypski
FHL Film Number: 1926849

Source: Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 accessed through Ancestry.com