Johann Kornek
He was born on 24 February 1900 in Folwark. He was the son of Jan and Julianna, née Czech, from Chrząszczyce. He was the youngest, eleventh child in the family. He learned his trade – blacksmithing – from his brother-in-law in Domecko. At the age of 18 he was called up into the imperial army (First World War; see item 47 of the list).
His older brother Stefan fell in the Balkans on 19 December 1916 (see item 9 of the list of the fallen, First World War). His older sisters married; two remained (Tekla and Albina), for whom he built a house on ul. Szkolna and to whom he gave one third of his field, which he cultivated, so that they would have a living. He married Rozalia Cygan from Wrzosek on 11.11.1930. Four children were born of this marriage. The first daughter died, the others are still alive today. Czesław, the eldest, in Złotniki, Georg – Jerzy emigrated to Germany (Mannheim), the youngest, Otylia, now Kania, from whom I received this information, lives in Folwark on ul. Wiejska.
Joachim was also called up for military service during the Second World War, but he managed to return safely, shortly before the front arrived in January 1945. After the front passed on 15/16 March 1945 they were the first to return from evacuation. They had not evacuated far – to Ochódz, where on 19 March they “welcomed” the Soviet troops for the second time. They found 80% of the houses destroyed, corpses everywhere, fallen cattle and a sow running about with three piglets. People gradually returned, and in 1948 they elected him village head, which at that time was a very thankless job. For more on the Second World War see the recollections of Otylia Kania (History – events – Second World War).
It should also be mentioned that Mr Joachim Kornek was the driving force in bringing our war-ravaged village back to life. As village head he contributed to the renovation of our chapel, assisted at funerals and led the deceased out. He led all the indulgence processions and pilgrimages and was the so-called “śpiewołek” (cantor): he intoned the hymns during processions and sang loudly himself. The hardships he had lived through and the hard work in the fields caused his strength to begin to fail. He died on 14 January 1972 at the age of 72.