Joseph Frank Mikulec aka Joe Mikulec ada Josef Franz Mikulec

I've seen lists of well-known Croatians but have never seen this man mentioned. Perhaps he wasn't that well known and/or his feats not considered worthy. I've Googled him, Googled words pertaining to him, checked many sites, etc. I have not written to organziations such as the Croatian Embassy or posted anywhere else.

I have his birth registration, mariage record, naturalization, newspaper clippings, pictures, etc., but I have not been able to find out online when and where he died, and what happened to his huge and heavy autograph books - are they in a museum, a university, in the US or elsewhere, lost, etc.

Does anyone know?! Has anyone else ever heard of him?! Mr. Jerin, about seven years ago, I had a lovely exchange of e-mails with you, and if anyone knows about him, you probably do!

I'm just curious!

Joseph Frank Mikulec was born on 15 January 1878 in Krusljevo selo 7 to Josip Mikulec of Krusljevo selo 7 and Kata Novosel, also Krusljevo selo but I don’t have a number.

My grandfather, Frank Novosel, was born in 1884 in Krusljevo selo 8, and Mikulec gives him (living in Brooklyn, NY) in the "nearest relative" section on his World War I Draft Registration, so that’s how I’ve become intrigued by him and his world walking and autograph collecting.

On a 1914 manifest, he gives my grandfather’s cousin as his friend (John Mocilar, born 1874, probably Krusljevo selo, also living in Brooklyn) from the country from where he came.

Joseph Mikulec arrived in the US in 1905. He married Anna Stiopu (or Stiopn) on 20 June 1908 in Westfield, Chautauqua County, NY. By his September 1910 Petition for Naturalization, he states that he’s not married.

He usually gave Philadelphia, PA, where he was naturalized, as his home. Last newspaper articles that I’ve seen are in the 1920s.

Attached are some pictures of him at various ages.

Hoping to hear some interesting new information!

Helen