JAN [JOHN] AND ANNA [KOCAB] VITERNA
Jan Viterna (Czech for John) was born April 26, 1846, at Pocepicich,
Bohemia, although his naturalization papers state he was a native of
Austria. (At one time, Bohemia was part of the Austria-Hungary
Empire.) He served two years in the Austrian army and later took up
the trade of a miller. In 1872, because he was unhappy with the
policies of the Austrian Emperor, he immigrated to America and
settled in Chicago where he stayed for three years.
Anna Kocab was born September 7, 1848, at Pechova Lhote, Tabor,
Bohemia. In the spring of 1872, she came to America and settled in
Chicago.
Jan and Anna were married May 16, 1873, in Chicago, Illinois. This
union was blessed with six children: Josie, born
[pg 451 photo Mr. and Mrs. Jan [John] Viterna]
Jan and Anna were married May 16, 1873, in Chicago, Illinois. This
union was blessed with six children: Josie, born June 4, 1875,
married to Joseph Zeman on April 25, 1900, and passed away on July
29, 1956; Christie, born June 20, 1877, and passed away on October
24, 1898; Marie, born March 17, 1879, married Louis Tikalsky on July
4, 1906, and passed away on March 27, 1959; twins John and Joseph
born November 5, 1881, John married Caroline MaryAnn Kalal on
February 14, 1904, and passed away September 20, 1934. Joseph
married Mary Havel on December 15, 1908, and passed away on December
26, 1950. Charles was born October 24, 1883, and passed away on May
9, 1918. Charles later became a bank embezzler. When he died, some
people questioned it. They believed a rock was buried in the casket.
In 1875 Jan and Anna moved to Pocahontas, Iowa, where they farmed
for four years.
In 1879 Jan filed for a homestead in Nebraska and in 1880, he, with
wife Anna, and their three daughters came by covered wagon in a
train with four other families. They arrived at Niobrara, Nebraska,
on April 22, 1880, and settled on a homestead nine miles northwest
of Verdigre. This homestead consisted of the Northwest Quarter and
the northern half of the Southeast Quarter in Section 28 of Bohemia
Township. Another 40 acres was located in the northwest corner of
the Southwest Quarter of Section 27 in Bohemia Township. The
homestead totaled 280 acres. Later they farmed in partnership with
their son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Mary Viterna, until their
deaths.
Anna, who was greatly devoted to her home and highly respected by
all, passed away on January 10, 1916, due to failing health. Her
funeral was held at home, but her husband was unable to attend
because of pneumonia.
Jan, who was a charter member of the ZCBJ Lodge and one of the first
members of the first Catholic Church of Verdigre, passed away on
January 10, 1925, exactly nine years later than his wife.
Jan and Anna were laid to rest in the Viterna lot of the Jelen
Cemetery.
-Submitted by Brian Mlady
Pages 450, 451
