Memorial Day Post

According to what we have learned while visiting Praha, the settlement had the biggest ratio of servicemen of Texas killed in WW2 (considering the number of the settlement inhabitants/the number of the perished soldiers).
Not far from the church in Praha, TX, there is a memorial dedicated to the three men who were killed in action during their WW2 service. They were Joseph Lev, Adolph Rab and Robert Bohuslav.

Here is some information about them I have managed to find.

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Joseph (Josef) Lev was born on 12 August 1918 in Flatonia, Fayette County, to Emil John Lev and Mary Veselka (1). 

Young Josef complete grammar school and worked on the family farm. His siblings were Frank - born on 2 May 1906 (3), Teresa - born on 6 October 1907 (4), Christina Agnes - born on 5 June 1910 (5), Mary - born on 23 September 1915 (6), Emil T - born on 9 February 1922/died on 19 February 1922 (7), and Bohumil Adolph - born on 2 April 1925/died on 23 June 1925 (# eight).

He was enlisted on 12 May 1942 at Sam Fort Houston (2). After the initial training, he was sent overseas. 

Private Joseph Lev was killed in action on 24 July 1944 (9) in New Guinea.

Newspaper clipping: Nycum, T. F. The Flatonia Argus (Flatonia, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 31, 1944, newspaper, August 31, 1944; Flatonia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth988974/: accessed May 29, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.

Private Joseph Lev was awarded:
World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
Joseph's body was buried in the cemetery in Praha. 

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Adolph Rab was born in Hallettsville, Lavaca, TX on 22 June 1910 (10, 11). 

 

Adolph's father John Rab was born in Bohemia, Europe, his mother Agnes was born in Texas. In January 1920, 9-year-old Adolph lived with his parents and siblings Edward (age 14), Albert (age 11), and Jim (age 7) in Justice Precinct #6, Lavaca County. John Rab (age 39) was a farmer (12).

Ten years later, Adolph worked as a farm laborer. He had also one more brother Eugene who was 9 years old then (13). The 1940 census recorded Adolph Rab living in his parents' home in Justice Precinct #2, Lavaca County (14) - the town of Moulton area.

On 22 September 1942, 32-year-old Adolph was enlisted at Fort Sam Houston (15). Two years later, on 27 December, Private First Class A. Rab perished in Italy (16). 

 

 

Newspaper clipping: Nycum, T. F. The Flatonia Argus (Flatonia, Tex.), Vol. 70, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 11, 1945, newspaper, January 11, 1945; Flatonia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth989181/: accessed May 29, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.

He was awarded: 

World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.

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Robert Vendelin Bohuslav, the son of Tom Bohuslav and Mary Migl, was born on 18 October 1822 in Lavaca County, TX (17). 

Eight years later, the boy lived with his father Tom (age 38), mother Mary (age 37), sisters Helen (age 14), Elsie Mae (age 6), and brothers Ernest (age 11), and Herman (age 2) in Justice Precinct #2, Lavaca County. Tom Bohuslav was a farmer (18). In 1932 another sister was born on 2 July. Her name was Mildred Annie (19).

I did not find any more records regarding Robert and his military service besides the fact that he was Private First Class and was killed in action in Africa on 3 February 1944 (20). His body was brought back to Texas and buried in Praha cemetery.

Newspaper clipping: Nycum, T. F. The Flatonia Argus (Flatonia, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 16, 1944, newspaper, March 16, 1944; Flatonia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth989842/: accessed May 29, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.

Newspaper clipping: Sulak, L. J. The Fayette County Record (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 22, No. 37, Ed. 1 Tuesday, March 7, 1944, newspaper, March 7, 1944; La Grange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1255444/: accessed December 8, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum, and Archives.

PFC Robert V Bohuslav was awarded:

World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, and American Campaign Medal. Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.

Sources:

• HonorStates.org.
• Findagrave.com

1. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2KF-JHG: 1 March 2021), Joseph Lev, 12 Aug 1918; citing Flatonia, Fayette, Texas, United States, certificate 40606, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,515,207.
2. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8PR-4NH: 5 December 2014), Joseph Lev, enlisted 12 May 1942, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
3. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX98-P54: 1 March 2021), Emil J Lev in the entry for Frank Lev, 02 May 1906; citing Flatonia, Fayette, Texas, United States, certificate 65734, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,380,461.
4. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX9D-V8Y: 1 March 2021), Emil Lev in the entry for Teresa Lev,; citing Flatonia, Fayette, Texas, United States, certificate 66276, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,380,461.
5. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CF-7R6 : 20 February 2021), Emil Lev in entry for Christina Agnes Lev, 07 Dec 1950; citing certificate number 60981, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,551.
6. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2LG-WLT: 1 March 2021), Emil Lev in the entry for Mary Lev, 23 Sep 1915; citing Flatonia, Fayette, Texas, United States, certificate 36919, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,336,203.
7. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K37M-9ML: 20 February 2021), Emil Lev in the entry for Bohumil Adolph Lev, 23 Jun 1925; citing certificate number 27984, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,113,920.
8. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1K-8GZ : 20 February 2021), Emil Lev in entry for Emil T Lev, 19 Feb 1922; citing certificate number 4550, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,475.
9. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K384-CVD : 20 February 2021), Joseph Lev, 24 Jul 1944; citing
certificate number 1400, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,242,483.
10. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXMM-TX6: 1 March 2021), Adolph Rab, 22 Jun 1910; citing Hallettsville, Lavaca, Texas, United States, certificate 21270, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,112,424.
11. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V8WC-65T: 5 December 2014), Adolph Rab, 22 Jun 1910; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
12. "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHY6-MDS: accessed 3 December 2021), Adolph Rab in the household of John Rab, Lavaca, Texas, United States; citing, sheet, line, family, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll; FHL microfilm.
13. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H621-7MM: accessed 3 December 2021), Adolf Rab in the household of John Rab, Precinct 6, Lavaca, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 16, sheet 13A, line 48, family 258, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2369; FHL microfilm 2,342,103.
14. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW2K-8TT: 11 February 2020), Adolph Rab in the household of John Rab, Justice Precinct 2, Lavaca, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 143-7, sheet 2A, line 16, family 22, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4092.
15. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8PY-F5W: 5 December 2014), Adolph E Rab, enlisted 22 Sep 1942, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
16. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K38S-2JD : 20 February 2021), Adolph Rab, 27 Dec 1944; citing certificate number 3012, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,242,622.
17. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V8CW-WJ4: 5 December 2014), Robert Bohuslav, 18 Oct 1922; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
18. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H6NX-4W2: accessed 6 December 2021), Robert Bohuslav in the household of Tom Bohuslav, Precinct 2, Lavaca, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 7, sheet 8A, line 15, family 157, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2369; FHL microfilm 2,342,103.
19. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V8QQ-34W: 1 January 2015), Tom F Bohuslav in the entry for Mildred Annie Bohuslav, 02 Jul 1932; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
20. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K384-JD1 : 20 February 2021), Tom Bohuslav in entry for Robert V Bohuslav, 03 Feb 1944; citing certificate number 2026, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,242,483.

About Childhood Rhymes

When I was little, my mom tried to teach me the German language. Being a kid, I found some German words to sound funny then, but I still remember the rhyme she taught me.

"Eins, zwei, Polizei
Drei, vier, Offizier
Fünf, sechs, alte Hex
Sieben, acht, gute Nacht
Neun, zehn, schlafen gehen,
elf, zwelve, Gotthelf."

While playing in the yard, we often recited counting-out rhymes in Polish. My favorite one is perhaps the one in which words have no meaning in this language besides the word "tabaka" ("snuff"). However, the word is used here to give rhyme only, not to make any sense at all. 

"En-ten-tino,
Sa-ca-ra-ca-tino,
Sa-ca-ra-ca i ta-ba-ka,
en-ten-to.
Ranibusek, ranibusek,
en-ten-to."

On the words "ranibusek, ranibusek" [pronounced: rahneebooseck], the kid who was counting out stopped doing that, and with their hand, made two "air circles" in front of their belly. Then, continued counting out again.

Whilst reading the book "Krasna Amerika"* (Beautiful America), I came across this counting-out rhyme in Czech which words are more or less meaningless as well. I quite like it. 

"Angle, pangle, verkum, pek,
štaple, makle, šlaka, flek." 

šlaka = slag
štaple= staples
flek = stain
The words "angle" and "pangle" seem familiar in English, however, are pronounced differently [a:ngleh, pa:ngleh].

Can you remember any rhymes from your childhood?

Photo: Historic school in Kashubia, Poland.

*"Krasna Amerika: A Study of the Texas Czechs, 1851-1939" by Clinton Machann, James W. Mendl, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, 1983"

William M Zelluff

William M Zelluff was born in New York in 1835. 

In 1850, William, his parents, and 7 siblings lived in Carrollton, Cattaraugus, New York. William's father, Peter, was a farmer, and the boy's mother's name was recorded as Mamlus (1). 

Five years later, another census record was made. It tells that Peter Zelluff was born in Pennsylvania, and his wife's name appears as Marvelous. Her birthplace was stated as "Anondaga". Was she of the Onondaga Nation (2)? 

 

On 4 July, 25 William Zelluff (Zeliff) lived in Polk County, Post Office Smithfield, TX, at the household of 30-year-old Mr. Albion Drew, fruiterer. The latter was also born in New York. William was recorded as a fruiterer (fruit grower) as well (3). 

When the Civil War started, William was enlisted into the CA on 29 April 1861. Private Zelluff was assigned to Company B, the 1st Texas Infantry (4). In August of the same year, William was discharged as he got sick. Sadly, the man did not manage to come home. 

William Zelluff died of typhoid fever about a month later on 19 September, in the Confederate Hospital, Culpeper, Virginia. 

The hospitals in Culpeper, Orange County were organized in churches, commercial buildings, and private homes as well. 

 

After William's passing, his body was buried at the local Confederate Cemetery. 20 years later, Private Zelluff's remains were moved to the Fairview Cemetery and placed in a common grave. The soldier's name was listed on the monument plate there (misspelled) as "Telluff" (5). 

 Sources: 

1. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCTV-T6N : 23 December 2020), William Zeluff in household of Peter Zehift, Carrollton, Cattaraugus, New York, United States; citing family, NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). 

2. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCTV-T6N : 23 December 2020), William Zeluff in household of Peter Zehift, Carrollton, Cattaraugus, New York, United States; citing family, NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). 

3. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFG-LVV : 18 February 2021), Wm Zeliff in entry for Franklin Monroe, 1860. 

4. "Texas, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZWY-72X : 5 December 2014), William M Zeluff, 1861; from "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Texas," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing military unit First Infantry (Second Infantry), NARA microfilm publication M323 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1961), roll 257. 

5. "There never were such men before: the Civil War soldiers and veterans of Polk County, Texas, 1861-1865". Ruth Peebles, Livingston, TX, Polk County Historical Commission, 1987.

History of One Cradle

From photos to people's lives stories. History of one cradle made in Silesia.

Józefa Adamiec (Adamietz) nee Konieczko, born in Polish Silesia (Prussia then) in 1816, traveled with her husband Szymon (Simon) born in 1802, their two sons Jan Szymon (born in 1841), Albert (born in 1844), and other Silesian families. They went from Silesia to Bremen and then, on the bark Weser, from Bremen to Texas. 

On 3 December 1854, they reached Galveston. One of the items Józefa brought from Silesia was a cradle (she was a midwife). 

 

The Silesians settled in Bandera in 1855.  Five years later, Józefa, Simon, and their sons were registered in the Census. They lived in the town of Bandera. Simon was a farmer, John worked as a mail rider, Albert was a laborer (1).

Tax records from 1861 inform that Simon Adamietz had 40 acres of land (originally granted to William Keller) worth $100 then. The man owned a town lot no. 23.4, 2 horses and 9 head of cattle (2).

On 10 May 1866, John (Jan) married 20-year-old Miss Constantinetina (Konstantyna?) S Pyka (3), born on 31 August 1846 in Silesia. She was the daughter of Johann Pyka and his wife Franciszka.

John and Constantine had 11 children (4). During the Civil War, John served with 6th Field Artillery and Capt. Dege's Batallion (8th Field Artillery), Texas Light Artillery. Private was his rank (5).

Under the guidance of Józefa, her daughter-in-law learned the midwife skills. Eventually, Constantine inherited the crib that belonged to her mother-in-law. She passed it later to her daughter Mary Ann.

In 1978, the old cradle pieces were taken to a restoration shop in Hondo, and the crib was made (see the photo). Nowadays, you can watch the restored piece of furniture in the Frontier Times Museum in Bandera, TX.

The photo of the cradle was taken during our visit to the Frontier Times Museum in Bandera. 

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Simon Adamietz passed on 24 November 1879, his wife Josepha on 12 December 1884.

Their son John died in 1911. Constantina live till 2 May 1931.

 
Source:
Findagrave.com
1. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFP-VMQ : 18 February 2021), Simon Adamicz, 1860. 

2. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBMC-LG5 : 20 February 2021), Simon Adamick, 1861.

3. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX39-F98 : 22 January 2020), Constantinetina S. Pyka in entry for John S Adamietz, 1866. 

4. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3LK-X2R : accessed 15 October 2021), John Adamitz, Justice Precinct 1, Bandera, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 1, sheet 1A, family 5, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,608. 

5. National Park Service

A for Armadillo

Coming back to "My Texas Alphabet" and to the letter "A", it is for Armadillo, of course. 

How could it be different since the animal is one of the symbols of Texas?  
You can meet it in the countryside.  Armadillos tend to be rather slow regarding their actions. They are cute in their own way, though.

Video and photos: One of the Texas symbols met during one of our walks in the country area. 

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"My Texas Alphabet" is my, quite a personal, summary of our hitherto life in Texas. 

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.

G for Gietrzwałd

Have you been to Gietrzwałd?

The place used to be called Dietrichswalde when Poland was under Prussian rule. This religious Sanctuary in east-northern Poland is visited by many pilgrims every day. Among others, it is known from the creek water, believed to have healing/miraculous properties.

More about Gietrzwałd on one of our pages HERE.

The painting (in the above photo) is part of the display in the old Heritage Museum in Panna Maria, TX.

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To read more  "My Polish Alphabet"entries, check out the link below.