In approximately 1904, when he was around 19 years old, he married Matilda Schuyler, around 16 years old and born Feburay 28, 1888, in either Russia or Poland to Herman Schuyler and Amelia Ratchinski (born in Russia according to 1910 & 1920 census, and in Poland according to 1930 census).

Four years later, in 1908, Andrew, perhaps also called "Rudy", was living in Minnesota with his wife when son Arthur was born, and by October the following year the family was living in Wisconsin when son Oscar was born. In 1910, when their boys were ages five and two years old, Andrew and Tillie were renting a home or apartment on 348 Seventeenth Street in Milwaukee, WI, and in 1920 they rented a home in Oshkosh, WI, at 161 Main Street. By the 1930 census Andrew and Matilda owned their own home on East 69th Street North in Portland, OR, which was worth $3,500. At his death in 1956, Andrew was still living in Portland, but at 4557 N.E. 66th Avenue in 1956.

Andrew immigrated in 1894 and, according to his death certificate, died a citizen of Poland. His various occupations and the years this information was recorded on censuses and his death certificate are as follows: (1910) Fireman; (1920) Laborer; (1930) marble worker in retail shop; (1956) Laborer, Sheet Metal Work.

On April 23, 1956 he died in Multnomah Hospital, Portland, at the age of 70. Andrew is buried in the Last Supper Garden of Skyline Memorial Gardens. Cause of death: "Aspiration Pneumonia, due to Cerebral Thrombosis and Cerebral Arteriosclerosis". He is buried in with his wife, son Arthur, and son Oscar Kohanek, all of whom are in cemetery sections 332 B & D. Grace (maiden name unknown) and Lydia J. Egner, the wives of Arthur, Jr., and Oscar, are buried in the same cemetery with many more Kohaneks, some of whom were descendants of Karl Kohanek/Kochanek (immigrated to Canada from Russia) about whose connection to this family we know nothing.

Andrew's obituary reads "Andrew Kohanek, of 4557 NE 66th; beloved husband of Matilda; father of Arthur A. and Oscar, Portland; brother of Fred, San Francisco; Hilda, Kan., Edith, Long Beach, Cal.; Olga, Grants Pass; Bertha, Toronto, Ont., Canada; Mandy, Jansen, Sask.; also 3 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild. Funeral Services Thursday, April 26, at 1:30PM at Chapel of Miller & Tracey, SW 20th Place and Morrison. Interment Skyline Memorial Gardens, CA 7-2691."

Matilda died in September 1967, still a Canadian citizen of "pneumonia, due to general debilitation" and "senile brain syndrome" at Fairlawn Nursing Home in Portland, OR. (The 1930 census states that she was a naturalized citizen.) Her obituary reads: "Matilda, 4414 NE 69th, mother of Oscar Kohanek, 3 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 6 brothers, 5 sisters. Friends are invited to attend funeral services 3PM, Thursday Sept. 7 in the Chapel of Skyline Memorial Funeral Home, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd 292-6617. Interment Skyline Memorial Gardens."

A continuing mystery is how this family is related to Neche, North Dakota, where some Canadian Kohanek relatives lived in the early 20th century. Aurelie Kohanek, wife of the late Curtis Kohanek, has been helping to untangle the facts, but we have no connections. Here is one example of a connection which unfortunately does not lead us to anyone further, as we do not know how Bertha Schuyler is related to Matilda Schuyler Kohanek: Matilda is mentioned in a January 1921, Vancouver, WA, newspaper article as the witness to the Berth'a marriage:

CUPID HAS A CLOSE CALL Justice of the Peace Almost Joins Witness and Bridegroom Cedric Miller, justice of the peace, almost joined the witness to the bridgroom here today. The bride said there must be some mistake. Miller took the marriage license back to J.L. Garrett, county auditor. Garrett said he must have written the name of the witness on the line intended for the bride. The change was made and the couple speeded to happyland. George Max Umrein, 27, Portland, and Bertha Schuyler, 20, Neche, N.D., were the couple. Matilda Kochaneck, Portland, was the witness. (Morning Oregonian, Jan. 4, 1921)

TIMELINE:
1885 Born in Poland or Canada
1904 Married (date approximate)
1908 Son Andrew born in MINNESOTA
1909 Son Oscar born in WISCONSIN
1910 Census - WI, Milwaukee County, Milwaukee, 348 Seventeenth Street
1920 Census - WI, Winnebago County, Oshkosh, 161 Main St.
1921 Wife Matilda Schuyler Kochanek witness to marriage in Vancouver, WA,
of Bertha Schuyler, 20, of Neche, ND (Jan. 2, 1921)
1940 Moved to Portland (date approximate)
1950 Applied for Social Security Benefits (in Portland, OR)
1956 Died (Buried in Portland, OR, Skyline Memorial Gardens, Last Supper Garden (Family) Sections 332 B & D)
***************************************************************
Author's Note: If you can share any stories, facts, or photos about Andrew Kohanek and his family, please do not hesitate to contact Vicki Kohanek, vkohanek@comcast.net (long term but less frequently checked vkohanek@hotmail.com)
(updated October 2009)