Peter Karpus - Peter and Mabel Jones on right - during the 1906 earthquake in SF with a friend. Peter and Mabel married in 1906.

Peter's parents were Zuzanna Rytlewski Karpus and Andrew Karpus. The family of 6 brothers and 2 daughters arrived from Poland in 1888. The oldest brother, George, had been sent to the USA with cousins to find jobs and living quarters in about 1882. They all settled in Bay City Michigan and found work. Peter joined the American Army eventually and fought in hte Spanish American War and was then stationed in San Francisco as a medic. He remained in SF and met and married my grandmother, Mabel Jones in 1906. Mabel's familiy became fond of Peter while the Jones family was living in tenst in Golden Gate Park during the aftermath of the SF 1906. He endeared himself to her family though his help and for bringing food to their camp. After he left the servie of the Army, Peter worked for an Undertaker in SF, a bartender and then for Southern Pacific railway. The Karpus family had a solid livestyle in SF with many visitis to and from both families. Mabel worked for the Chrystal Palace on Market St. and was so diplomatic she was called on to mediate grievances between vendors. My grandfather Peter was a gentleman and like many slavic people was dedicated to his family and very stoic during crisis-es. His hobbies were archery and growing mushrooms. I was the oldest granddaughter and he called me Katja and would greet my sister and I by calling us his little babushkas because my Mom always made us wear head scarves due to the SF chill factor. Peter joined several veteran's associations and sang solo during their events. His voice was said to be exceptional - a magnificent baritone. He was a great role model and my Dad, Trent, had some of his qualities.