Jan Josef Migl and Anastazie Koudelka

Another post inspired by a wedding photo we saw at the Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange, TX.

Jan Josef Migl has already been mentioned on this page when we talked about his parents - František A Migl and Johanna Ježek.

He was born on 8 June 1855 in Dubenec, České Budějovice, Bohemia, then Austria.

Jan was married twice. His first wife was Marie Holub (born on 29 April 1859). The two were married on 21 November 1879 in Lavaca, TX (0).

 

Jan and Marie had nine children:

• Anna Marie - born on 23 March 1882, Praha, Lava, TX,
• Josef V - born on 18 September 1884,
• Anastasia - born on 18 September 1887,
• Ružena - born on 23 January 1892,
• Albina - born on 19 January 1894,
• William J - born on 6 April 1896,
• Clara S - born on 3 August 1898,
• Anton Joseph - born on 12 June 1903,
• Frank Charles - born on 15 July 1907.

Jan was a farmer. He was granted the US citizenship in 1877 (1). Marie died on ♦ 17 June 1909 (2). 

Two years later, on 6 November 1911, 56-year-old Jan remarried. His second spouse became 26-year-old Anastasie Koudelka (3). She was born on 24 February 1885 (Rakov, Pišek, Bohemia, Austria), to Antonin Koudelka and Katerina Koncaba.

Anastasie was taking care of her 5 youngest stepchildren. ⚭ 21-year-old Albina got married to Alois Jasek on 12 October 1915 (4). When WWI started, Willie was drafted and sent overseas (5). He started his own family after the war, on ⚭ 14 October 1919 (6). His sister Clara started her family on ⚭ 11 October 1921 (7). Then, Anton left the family home on ⚭ 13 October 1925. He was married to Lillie Jašek (8).

Anastasie bore 7 children to Jan:

• Rosa - born 3 September 1913,
• Jaroslav - born 2 April 1915,
• Sophie - born 24 May 1917,
• George J - born 16 March 1919 (9),
• Annie - born 18 July 1921,
• Lillie Christine - born 5 July 1923,
• Agnes Rose - born 29 November 1924.

🏠 The family lived in Justice Precinct #5, Fayette County, TX (10).

♦ 13 April 1933 - Jan and Anastasie's daughter Sophie died. Tetanus took her from this world (11).

About a year later, on ⚭  29 May, 26-year-old Frank Charles married 17-year-old Miss Ella Kubicek (12).

♦ 15 August 1935 - Willie J, Jan's son from his first marriage, passed at the age of 39.

Clipping source: Hawkes, George W. The Flatonia Argus (Flatonia, Tex.), Vol. 60, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 22, 1935, newspaper, August 22, 1935; Flatonia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1048757/: accessed January 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.

♦ 1 April 1936 - Jan (John Joseph) passed away at the age of 80 (13).

Clipping source: La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 57, No. 15, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 9, 1936, newspaper, April 9, 1936; La Grange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth998122/: accessed January 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives. 

Clipping source: Malec, Walter. The Tribune (Hallettsville, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 28, Ed. 1 Tuesday, April 7, 1936, newspaper, April 7, 1936; Hallettsville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1036724/: accessed January 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Friench Simpson Memorial Library.

⚭  26 October 1936 - Rosina married Joe Firasek in Flatonia, Fayette, TX (14).

👉 Census - 3 May 1940 - after John's death, his wife Anastasia (age 53) ran the family farm with the help of her children Jerry, George, Anna, Lillie, and Agnes. Anastasia's mother Catherine (age 83) lived with the family (15). Within the next 10 years, all the children (but George) left the family home.

 

⚭ 2 September 1940 - 25-year-old Jaroslav (Jerry) Joe married Marie Ann Wagner (16). She was born on 21 June 1916 in TX, to Anton Wagner and Frantiska Pesek. 

In the same year, on ⚭ 26 October, Rosina was married to Joe Firasek. He was born on 17 October 1911 (17).

⚭  George married Henrietta Jasek (born on 25 July 1923 in Moulton, Lavaca, TX) in about 1946.
⚭  Annie married Joe Ludwig Stryk (born on 14 February 1922) in about 1947.
⚭  Lillie married Alois Cyril Dornak who was born on 8 December 1925.

 

👉 In 1950, Anastasia lived with her son George, his wife, and children (18).

👉 June 1976, the lady's health deteriorated.

Clipping source: Janacek, John E. Yoakum Herald-Times (Yoakum, Tex.), Vol. 73, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 10, 1976, newspaper, June 10, 1976; Yoakum, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1424284/: accessed January 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Carl and Mary Welhausen Library.

Clipping source: Brice, Mack. Yoakum Herald-Times (Yoakum, Tex.), Vol. 73, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 17, 1976, newspaper, June 17, 1976; Yoakum, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1424286/: accessed January 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Carl and Mary Welhausen Library.

Anastasie Koudelka Migl died on ♦ 1 August 1976 (1(9). She lived 91 years.

Sources:
0. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6YB-X2K : 22 January 2020), Mary Hoheb in entry for John Migil, 1879.
1. "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3G7-711 : Thu Oct 05 05:45:43 UTC 2023), Entry for John Migl and Marie Migl, 1900.
2. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZVQ-4S7 : 24 May 2014), Mary Migl, 17 Jun 1909; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number 29966, Fayette, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.
3. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX9C-DY5 : 22 January 2020), Jan Migl, 1911.
4."Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-561V : Thu Nov 30 12:42:30 UTC 2023), Entry for Alois Jasek and Albina Migl, 12 Oct 1915.
5."Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-FW6B : Thu Oct 12 08:49:44 UTC 2023), Entry for Willie Migl, 06 Jul 1918.
6."Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-KL3G : Thu Nov 30 12:49:02 UTC 2023), Entry for William J Migl and Rosie Klekar, 14 Oct 1919.
7."Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXML-MWG : 22 January 2020), Anton J. Migl, 1925.
8."Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZY-JM2J : 22 July 2021), John St Jasek and Klara Migl, 11 Oct 1921; citing Marriage, citing Hallettsville, Lavaca, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 5,853,989.
9. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2JD-TL9 : Mon Oct 30 12:22:16 UTC 2023), Entry for George Migl and John Migl, 16 Mar 1919.
10. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HT3P-1ZM : Fri Oct 06 07:46:48 UTC 2023), Entry for John Migl and Anna S Migl, 1930.
11."Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K331-BLL : Tue Nov 28 02:46:07 UTC 2023), Entry for Sophie Migl and John Migl, 13 Apr 1933.
12."Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1H-35TB : Mon Oct 23 13:26:20 UTC 2023), Entry for Frank C Migl and Ella Kubicek, 29 May 1934.
13.Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZDV-KL9 : 24 May 2014), John Migl, 01 Apr 1936; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number 20161, Fayette, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.
14. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZY-NLHG : 22 July 2021), Joe Firasek and Rosie Migl, 26 Oct 1936; citing Marriage, citing Flatonia, Fayette, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 5,853,999.
15."United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWVZ-5H3: Tue Nov 28 13:30:34 UTC 2023), Entry for Anna Stasia Migl and Jerry Migl, 1940.
16. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1H-3VCQ : Mon Oct 23 14:09:37 UTC 2023), Entry for Jerry Migl and Mary Wagner, 02 Sep 1940.
17. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZY-NLHG: 22 July 2021), Joe Firasek and Rosie Migl, 26 Oct 1936; citing Marriage, citing Flatonia, Fayette, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 5,853,999.
18. "United States 1950 Census", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XGT-GMLH : Tue Oct 03 21:42:30 UTC 2023), Entry for George J Migl and Henrietta Migl, 10 April 1950.
19. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K78G-94V : Wed Jan 17 23:04:20 UTC 2024), Entry for Annastazie Migl and Leslie Greive, 1 Aug 1976.

SPJST

On 28 December 1896, in La Grange, TX, 25 local inhabitants of Czech and Slovak descent held a meeting. They were members of the Česko Slovensko Podporujici Spolek (CSPS - Czech Slavonic Benevolent Society) a fraternal insurance organization that operated in all the American states including Texas. The men selected a committee that was to start working on creating the Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Stanu Texas (SPJST/Slavonic Benevolent Association of the State of Texas). The committee members were J R Kubena, judge Augustin Haidusek, and F. Čistina. Later, Mr. Haidušek was replaced by CV Vanek. 

On 29 June 1897, a convention of  22 SPJST lodges members took place. The organization started its proper work on 1 July 1897 - that was the day on which SPJST officers were elected: president I J Gallia, Mr. Fred Breska vice-president, secretary, and treasurer - J R Kubena.

SPJST was a fraternal insurance organization of non-sectary character. It offered the members death and sick benefits. The organization was also into promoting mutual acquaintance of people of Czechoslovakian descent and supporting cultural, benevolent, and national projects.

 

Birthplace of SPJST - Fayette County Courthouse, La Grange

 

Early presidents of SPJST were: I J Gallia, J J Holik, Joseph Dušek, judge C H Chernosky. The initial 22 lodges/496 members grew by the end of 1993 to 152 lodges/11,141 members.

 

Another insurance-type organization came into being on 1 July 1926. It was the Slavonic Mutual Fire Insurance Association. Its first convention took place in June 1927 in Houston, and the first officers were Frank Ančinec, Anton Bily, judge C H Chernosky, Stephen Valik, M Bubac, Frank Bečan, John Kelarek, and Tom Hošek.

Source: "The Czech Pioneers of the Southwest. The History of a People in the Development of a Nation", Henry R Maresh and Estelle Hudson, 1934, 1962, 1996.

Monument to Dawson's Men

The Monument is dedicated to the men who fell during the so-called Dawson Massacre (1842) and Mier Expedition. 

 

One of the men who took part in the Somervell/Mier Expedition was Mr. Kinchen William Davis. He was captured by Mexican troops and happened to draw a white bean, then was kept at the Perote prison. 

More about Mr. Davis, his fate, and family in the post HERE.  

 

More information related to the historical events mentioned above:

• Dawson Massacre: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dawson-massacre
• Somervell Expedition: https://www.tshaonline.org/.../entries/somervell-expedition
• Mier Expedition: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/mier-expedition
• Black Bean Episode/Drawing: https://www.tshaonline.org/han.../entries/black-bean-episode 

Pictures taken in La Grange, TX.

František Migl & Family

František A Migl was born on 1 April 1827 in Dobčice/Budejovice/Czechia, part of Austria then. He married Johanna Ježek, born 12 February 1830 in Dubenec, Budejovice, Czechia.

Their children

• Marie Anna - born on 24 March 1850,
• Anna - born on 16 April 1853, Jan Josef - born on 8 June 1855,
• Magdalena - born on 2 May 1850,
• Katherine Jane - born on 3 July 1859,
• Rosalia, born on 4 August 1861,
• Thomas - born on 25 December 1862,
• František J - born on 23 May 1866,
• Josef - born on 20 May 1868,
• Teresie - born on 24 January 1871/died on 20 April 1871,
• Theresa - was born on 6 April 1862.

Marie, the first daughter of Franz and Johanna, left for America first. Then it was Magdalena, Jan, and Katherine who went to Texas. The parents and other siblings came to Galveston in 1874.

Frank Migl's passport*

1900 - 74-year-old Frank and 70-year-old Johanna lived in Justice Precinct #4, Lavaca County, TX. Jan, with his wife and children, lived in the household next to his parents (1). Johanna passed 3 years later, on 22 February (in Praha, Fayette, TX).

Frank Migl's Citizenship Certificate*

Frank Migl died on 3 February 1915 (2).

Paper clipping: Halletsville Herald. (Hallettsville, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 39, Ed. 1 Friday, February 5, 1915, newspaper, February 5, 1915; Hallettsville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1036237/: accessed May 3, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Friench Simpson Memorial Library.

---
More about Frank Migl and his family: HERE

* The papers are on display at the Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange, TX.

Sources:

1. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PZ-91N: accessed 2 May 2023), Frank Migl Sr., Justice Precinct 6 (east part), Lavaca, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 95, sheet 16A, family 184, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,653.

2. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZN6-DFM: 24 May 2014), Frank Migl, 03 Feb 1915; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2006); citing certificate number 3185, Fayette, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.

 - familysearch.org 

- findagrave.com

Lodge No.19 in Velehrad

 In 1897, the SPJST (Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas) came into being and Lodge 19 in the Velehrad Community, Lavaca County, was established.

 

The lodge hall was built there in August 1895. The building served as a community lodge meeting place. Business and social gatherings, dances, and funerals took place in the hall as well. When there were more children in the area than there was room in the nearby school, the lodge building was also used as a school.

 

 

After WWII, many of the community residents left Velehrad, and it started deteriorating. The last meeting of the members of the SPJST Lodge 19 in Velehrad took place on 16 February 1999.

On 9 November 2017, the lodge hall was moved from Velehrad to the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange, where you can see it/visit nowadays.

 

Source: leaflet issued by TCHCC

 

Photos from our visit to the Czech Heritage and Cultural Center - on a very hot summer day in August 2021.

 

The double doors were used when a funeral ceremony was held in the building. A coffin was brought in (and out) through those doors.

 

The meeting has been started

 

Guest speaker today...