THE ANTON CHOCHOLOUSEK FAMILY
The information for this family history was provided by the late
Charles Chocholousek of Verdigre, Ne. his daughter, Charlene
Ondracek of Des Moines, Iowa, compiled and wrote the following.
[pg 218 PHOTO The Anton Chocholousek family in 1910 - standing
from left: Elsie[1899-1979], Joe [1876-1959], Mary [1879-1969]
Edward [1888-1929], Emma [1892-1952], Louis [1894-1978]; Front:
Frank [1883-1962], Anton [1848-1942], Anna [1860-1922], Charles
[1901-1981], Bohus [1885-1942]
In May, 1885, Anton and Anna Chocholousek made the courageous
decision to leave their homeland in Czechoslovakia and journey to
America. At that time there were four children in their family: Joe,
9 years; Mary, 6 years; Frank, 2 years, and Bohus, 3 weeks old.
Prompting their decision to move to America were favorable letters
which they received from the Bartak and Skalicky families. These
families, who had journeyed to America a few years earlier,
commented on the freedom their families were experiencing and the
opportunity to homestead a farm of 160 acres in a wide expanse of
open land.
Anton and Anna sold their home and all their belongings except for
clothing and bedding which they brought along to America. Bidding
goodbye to their relatives, friends and neighbors and leaving their
home was difficult as the young family began its long journey. Along
with the Mathew Jiraceks and their five children, the Chocholouseks
rode a day-long trip by wagon from their little village of Valhotha
to Prague. Then they continued their journey by train to Hamburg,
Germany, and, finally, the two families boarded a ship for New York
City, New York.
The ship, not a modern one, had sails and a steam engine to help out
during calm weather on the ocean. There were 1400 immigrant
passengers on board and, because they were traveling by third class,
they were assigned bunks in the stern of the ship. The food served
on the ship was often mediocre. During the thirteen days of sailing,
three days were stormy which meant all passengers were kept below
deck.
Upon landing in New York, Anton and Anna were checked through in
customs and had their money exchanged for American currency. Because
they were not fluent in the English language, they were unable to
check the accuracy of the exchange and had no choice but to accept
the amount given them.
Their journey in America began by boarding a train for Running
Water, South Dakota. After traveling for a week, they arrived in
South Dakota and then hired a wagon to take them to Niobrara where
they spent the night. In the morning, they hired another wagon to
take them to the Bartak farm (later owned by Albert Novacek). Three
weeks later, Anton rented a sod house on the Skalicky place, about
two miles east of the Bartak place on the North Branch Creek. The
Skalicky family had occupied this sod house until they built a small
frame house on their farm.
Anton hired out as a laborer and by fall he managed to buy a team of
oxen and a few farm tools, and then rented the Krejci farm southwest
of the one known as the Henry Prokop farm. Anton and Anna farmed in
this location for three years.
During this time, Anton and Anna longed to hear from their relatives
and friends in the homeland. Anton’s brother remained in
Czechoslovakia, as did one of Anna’s sisters. They were eager for
letters from their loved ones and would send Joe, their eldest son,
to the Belsky Store to check on the mail and purchase items needed
by the family. Belsky Store was located some distance north of the
Jelen Schoolhouse. Whenever Joe was sent on an errand, his
instructions were to return home as quickly as possible. During a
particularly warm morning on January 12, 1888, Joe obediently
returned home just shortly before the great blizzard hit the entire
area.
By now Verdigre was beginning to grow and, at this time, the Bartak
family moved to town where Mr. Bartak began his harness shop. For
the next three years, the Chocholouseks rented the Bartak farm. Then
Anton filed his homestead claim and began building his farm. In
1915, the family bought a home in Verdigre and lived there during
their retirement.
The following children were born to Anton and Anna after they had
settled in the Verdigre area: Edward (1888-1929), Emma (1892-1925),
Louis (1894-1978), Elsie (1899-1979); and Charles (1901-1981).
They also reared one granddaughter, Evelyn, from babyhood.
Charles, the youngest son, later wrote about his memories of family
discussions he had heard as a young child. He learned that his
parents left their homeland for two definite reasons. The first
reason was obvious - America held promise for fulfilling a dream of
peace and prosperity for a young family. The other reason, a more
subtle one, was the threat of Austrian rule to frightened parents
who had sons. Boys who became a certain age were required to join
the army and withstand cruel and inhumane training.
During World War I, the Chocholouseks subscribed to a Czech paper
called the “Hlasatel,” a name which meant “announcer” or “carrier of
news.” Often, as they scanned the list of casualties, they would
recognize familiar names. Of the six sons born to Anton and Anna,
only one, Louis, was called to service.
-Information provided by the late Charles Chocholousek
-Submitted by Charlene (Chocholousek) Ondracek
Pages
217, 218
