Joseph Dreffs was born in March 1866 in Poland. Note that his headstone shows his birth year as 1860. He married Anna Kozminska (1867-1926) sometime around 1887. Together, they immigrated to the United States from Poland in late 1889 according to the 1900 US Census and corresponding naturalization records.

The couple had eleven children: Martin, Ida, Nicck, Jennie, Vera, Mary C., Francis S., Walter Anthony, Paul A., Andrew S., and Casmer.

His son Walter Anthony’s birth certificate lists Joseph as a laborer by trade. The 1900 US Census further shows him as a laborer in a loaf mill.

Joseph died on December 12, 1941 in Saginaw, Michigan at the age of 75. He is buried next to his wife Anna in Saginaw, as shown below.

A Matter of Public Record: Joseph R. Dreffs

1900 US Census, State of Michigan, Otsego County, Livingston Township, ED 144, Sheet 8, Line 71

1910 US Census, State of Michigan, Otsego County, Livingston Township, ED 168, Sheet 14B, Line 76

1920 US Census, State of Michigan, Saginaw County, Saginaw City, ED 192, Sheet 17, Line 32

1930 US Census, State of Michigan, Saginaw County, Saginaw City, ED 42, Sheet 11A, Line 29