Paul Czapor
American, born Poland
Paul A. Czapor was born on May 15, 1892 in Poland. In 1909 he immigrated to the United States and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. He was married twice, first to Maryanna Machaj from 1918-1929, then to Mary Bomba from 1930-1964; and had seven children, six of whom lived to adulthood. Czapor played violin and bass from the time he moved from his native Poland. Although employed in various capacities as a laborer and machine operator in the steel mills of Cleveland, Ohio, he was also a self-taught cabinetmaker who at the age of 61 taught himself to make violins as a hobby. In the decade before his retirement he worked for the White Sewing Machine Co. while also repairing violins and bows for a local music store. Czapor died on August 18, 1964 in Cleveland.