Frank Shuster (Šustar) was born on December 5, 1899 in Senožeti, Slovenia (a town northeast of Litija). His parents were Anton Šustar and Franciska Strmljan.

Anton and Franciska had three children: Frank, Lewis and Tony.

Frank attended school in Šentlambert (also Št. Lambert), Slovenia from September 1904 until July 1911.

Map shows Senožeti, Šentlambert, and Tenetiše.

Anton came to America with his family on October  13, 1914, settling in Claridge, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He and his brother, Tony, worked the night shift at the Fort Pitt Glass Works in Jeannette, PA, walking to and from Claridge and Jeannette.

In 1915 he started working in the Wendell Mines. His father, Anton Shuster bought property, built a home and settled in Rillton, PA in 1916.

In his teen years, Frank worked his way across America, stopping and working in Chicago, IL and Indianapolis, IN where Frank's father Anton had relatives, the Mohr's. He rode the rails, worked on the railroad and labored to the West and back home across the country.

Upon returning he met and married Mary Pauline Bosic of Manor, PA, born on December 16, 1905.

Mary was the eldest of five children. Her parents were John and Catherine (also Katy, Katherine) Bosic, who emigrated from the Alps Region of Slovenia.

According to the 1920 U.S. census records, both, John and Catherine, immigrated to the United States in 1905, and were naturalized as U.S. citizens in 1915. However, according to the 1930 U.S. census records, John immigated to America in 1903, and Catherine - in 1905.

Originally, their last name was Bozic (meaning "Christmas" in Slovenian) - as it can be seen on John's World War I Draft Registration Card.

Mary's father, John Bozic (Bosic), was born on December 27, 1876. He was a coal miner in PA. He died in September of 1974.

According to the 1920 U.S. census records, the Bosic family resided in North Huntington, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, and consisted of seven members:

1. John (44)
2. Katheren (37)
3. Mary (14)
4. Angeline (11)
5. John (9)
6. Emma (7)
7. Frank (3)

The Bosics lived in a house they owned (free or mortgaged - free). John was not able to read or write, but the rest of the family members were literate. All children were born in Pennsylvania. John was a miner and worked in a coalmine.

At the time of the 1930 U.S. census, the Bosic family consisted of six family members - not seven like in 1920 - Mary did not live with the family (was married?). The family resided at 60 George Street, Manor, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. They lived in a $3000-home they owned. John still worked as a miner in a coalmine. Angeline and Emma were packers, and John was a laborer at a glass factory.

When first married, Frank Shuster and Mary Pauline Bosic moved to the hard coal region, Nanticoke, in Luzerne County where an infant, Frank, was born and died shortly thereafter. In addition to infant Frank, who died at birth, Frank and Mary had three children:

1. Evelyn Mary (born April 20, 1924)
2. Richard Edward (born June 17, 1926)
3. Dorothy Mae (born October 8, 1929)

Returning to Rillton to be near his father and mother, Anton and Franceska, Frank and Mary and their three children lived in part of Lewis' home. Mary gardened and preserved the garden produce. Along with Lewis' wife, Cecilia, the two would buy 1000 peeps and raise chicks to sell the eggs and chickens to a Rillton grocer. For health reasons, Frank decided to work as a self-employed contractor.

According to the 1930 United States Federal Census, Frank and Mary resided in Rillton, PA, in a $1000-home they owned. They had three children: Evelyn, Richard, and Dorothy. Frank was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1913. He was a laborer doing odd jobs.

Their neigbors - Frank's older brother, Toney, and his family. 

In 1931 Frank bought an acre of property in Cereal, between Rillton and Irwin, and built their house where they raised their three children.

Frank and Mary attended all social functions of th local and federation lodges and enjoyed the company of their many Slovenian friends. Mary loved to attend the dances. Although Frank didn't dance, Mary was active and sang with the Westmoreland Slovene Singing Group, wearing their ethnic costumes and performing at the Heritage Festivals and before other groups.

Mary was the consummate homemaker, an able seamstress, sewing her own clothes. She was very particular about her appearance and that of her two daughters. She always sewed for her daughters and, later, five granddaughters, at Christmas. Crocheting table cloths and other pieces filled her spare time. She was always busy, planting flowers and tending her large garden and fruit trees, preserving every part of her harvest, even making condiments.

Mary Pauline Bosic (Shuster) died of Leukemia at age 67 on July 23, 1972.

Frank joined the SNPJ Lodge 63 in Rillton on August 7, 1921 at the age of 22. He was a prominent fraternalist, deeply interested in the welfare of SNPJ and staunch in his belief in the principals of the Society. He was actively involved in the promotion and land acquisition for the SNPJ Recreation Center at Enon Valley, PA. He and his son, Richard, renovated the old barn. He was also instrumental in the building construction of the facilities at the Westmoreland Recreation Center in Evanstown, near Herminie, PA, to which he devoted years of service, helping wherever possible toward successful endeavors.

Frank attended many conventions, was the president of the Westmoreland Federation of SNPJ Lodges and Treasurer of Lodge 63 from 1950 to 1987 - 37 years. Although he retired from his position as a self-employed contractor, he was still active with his son up to the day of his death at age 87. In 1986 he was honored at the 1986 Regular Convention as being among the eldest delegates present.

Frank Shuster passed away in his sleep at the age of 87 on January 20, 1987.

Frank Shuster's name has been permanently inscribed on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island, NY Harbor, NY. It can be viewed on Panel 562.

Anton Shuster's sister Marjeta was married to a Mohr from Indianapolis, IN. Marjeta and her husband came to America in 1912. Her husband died in 1920. They adopted one son. No other informatiion is available. That explains the connection to the Mohr family in Indianapolis. Marjeta was struck and killed by an automobile and died in 1943.

Ivana Strmljan was the sister of Franceska Strmljan, Anton Shuster's wife.