THE VALICEKS IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA
As a result of the inquiries we made by mail after a trip to the Czech Republic, we were fortunate to have been put in touch with Dr. Ladislav Baletka who lives in Valasske Mezirici, Czech Republic. Dr. Baletka is the archivist for the Region of Vsetin, where he has offices, and he has compiled the following information concerning the family of Vincenc Valicek and Anna Zbrankova (his wife) who were the parents of Agnes Valicek who married Louis Dressler in San Antonio. Both were born in Novy Hrozenkov (probably then just called Hrozenkov).
Until 1649 the town of Novy Hrozenkov had been only a part of a town called Hovězí and it had belonged to Vsetín´s manor of Mikulás Pazmány. In that year 41 farmsteads of shepherds separated and founded a new town called Nová dědina (New village). It was also called - probably according to Pazmány's wife Rozina - Rozinka, Rozinkow, Hrozenkov and, finally, since the 19th century it is called Novy Hrozenkov.
An effort to use wood from wide forests led to building new sawmills, in nearby Vsetin a firm called Thonet founded a furniture factory. The most used form of transport was a horse cart and carriers had been taking all goods, raw materials, and glass products as far as to Vienna, Budapest and Triest. Most of this carrier's way of transport was ended when the railwayline from Vsetín - Velké Karlovice was built in 1908.
The history compiled by Dr. Baletka started with Martin Valicek and Rozina Kneblikova. VALICEK/ZBRANEK FAMILY TREE
Jan Valicek (Dates and wife unknown) Her birthdate and marriage date not given.
The children of Martin Valicek and his third wife, Rozina Orsakova
Marina Valickova - (b 30 Dec 1814 - d 20 Aug 1815)
It was the custom in Czechoslovakia (and in much of Europe) to name a new baby after an earlier child who died young. In this family, the first child, Marina, was born in 1814 and died in 1815; the third child (and the next girl), born in 1819, was also named Marina. Also the last son, born 1830, was named Antonin in honor of the previous son who was born and died in 1829. Dr. Baletka was also able to compile the ancestry of Marty’s maternal grandmother - the Zbraneks.
Anna Zbrankova (B 8 Jan 1850 - D 22 May 1932) - on 1 May 1867 married Vincenc Valicek and emigrated to America in 1869. Marty’s grandmother.
VALICEK LINEAGE - CHILDREN OF VINCENC VALICEK AND ANNA ZBRANEK:
Vincenc Valicek (B 1840 - D 1908 - Headstone says B 1839 - D 1906). Records in Czech Republic say born 22 Jan 1841)
Infant Joe
COMMENT: Both Vincenc and Anna (Zbranek) Valicek were born in Czechoslovakia. Before coming to the United States, they lived in Hrozenskova, Moravia (now Novy Hrozenkov). Cousin Ida (Valicek) Kilday has found that Vincent was naturalized on 8 September 1870 at Fayette County, TX and that he had a brother, Jan (John) Valicek, born 1842, died 1908. She believes Jan and Vincent came to America on the same ship.
VALICEK LINEAGE - DETAILS OF AGNES VALICEK FAMILY:
Agnes Valicek (B 12 Mar 1893 - D 7 Nov 1981), married Louis Dressler (B 30 May 1891 - D 28 March 1980)
Annie Georgie Dressler (B 12 Nov 1922 - D 2 Aug 1942) - fatally injured in automobile accident which also injured Martha
Links to the Family Pages
Home Page
During years 1656-58 Jan Zbranek had been the first mayor of Novy Hrozenkov, a bailiff, (remember, Marty’s maternal grandmother was a Zbranek). A bailiff, Michal Orság, who was forefather of the biggest dynasty of Novy Hrozenkov, became his successor.
An important place in the history of Novy Hrozenkov belongs to unsuccessful Walachian revolts against manorial labour in years 1765, 1775, 1783 and 1785. In the 17th and 18th century inhabitants of Novy Hrozenkov had to defend the town from attacks from the Hungarian border, which was made through the Javorniky mountains. Even though peace during the reign of Marie Terezie in 1774, it did not last long. In 1884 Hungarians attempted changes of the border. This case touched also surrounding towns and it was solved by an adaptation of the border when Czechoslovakia was split (in an area of Kasárna which is above Velké Karlovice).
After a revolutionary year, in 1848 residents of Novy Hrozenkov gained lot of meadows and fields. A sheep dairy-farming way of that time and primitive agriculture could not support many of the inhabitants. Since 1885 gradually more than 1000 inhabitants had left to look for a job in USA. They had left mainly to Texas (Czech is after English and Spanish the third most widespread language in Texas). A glassfactory was the first important industrial object which was built by Samuel Reich in the East part of Novy Hrozenkov during 1861-63.
There was founded a community named Karolinina Hut´ around the glass factory. It was later changed to “Karolinka”. The home of Marty’s ancestors was east of Novy Hrozenkov, along the road to Karolinka. Dr Baletka tells us that a high quality of marble was found on this property and Marty’s ancestors allowed the marble to be quarried for use in many of the beautiful buildings in Prague. This quarry has become a large lake which is quite popular with summer visitors.
On one of our visits to Karolinka we found a lake that
we believe is the one that Dr. Baletka referred to.
This photo shows just how popular
this attraction is during the summer!
In 1752 Jan Vrsata became the first teacher in the town, the first school was built in 1790. In 1857 a school was built and its building is used by a post office now. In 1934 teaching was started in a new council school which is used up to the present after some necessary reconstruction. Schools had been also gradually opened in peripheral parts of the town: 1877 U huti, 1897 in Vranča, 1903 in Stanovnice and 1925 in Čubov.
Of special note was the foundation of a town's library in 1882. Since the beginning of 20th century in the town there were social and cultural activities in such associations as Sokol, Orel, DTJ, in ethnographic, music and theatre groups. Among cultural actions of a larger importance were the first exhibition of pictures in 1933 (pictures by the Hlavica brothers, J Kobzáň, A. Strnadel, K. Langer and others.
Vincenc Valicek was born in Novy Hrozenkov, Moravia, on 22 January 1841, House No. 154. On 1 May 1867, he married Anna Zbrankova who was born 8 Jan 1850 in House No. 329 in Novy Hrozenkov. It is the custom in the Czech Republic to add “ova” to a family name to denote the family in general or to indicate the individual is a woman. After marriage they lived in House No. 329 where their daughter, Anna Valickova, was born on 18 Feb 1868. According to the “Book of Souls” they emigrated to America together 24 February 1869.
The parents of Vincenc Valicek were Martin Valicek (B 26 Feb 1817 - D 20 Jun 1852) and Rozina Kneblikova (B 13 July 1822 - D 19 Dec 1876). They were married 21 Nov 1837 and lived in House No. 154, Novy Hrozenkov. Their first born was Vincenc. The following children were: Jan Valicek (B 26 Dec 1842) who married Paulina Bohac and they emigrated to America in 1869 (it is believed that Jan and Vincenc emigrated at the same time with their families).
The next children were Martin Valicek (B 22 Sep 1844); Augustin Valicek (B 14 May 1846) who married, in House No. 154, Veronika Janikova from Velke Karlovice; Rozina Valicek (B 13 Jan 1850) and married in House No. 326; and Josef Valicek (B 3 May 1852) and married in House No. 138.
The parents of Anna Zbrankova were Josef Zbranek (B 16 Mar 1817 - D 17 Sep 1889) and Anna Dujkova (B 29 Jun 1823) who lived in House No. 214 in Novy Hrozenkov. They were married 19 February 1849 and lived in House No. 329, Novy Hrozenkov. Their first born was Anna Zbrankova (B 8 Jan 1850) who married Vincenc Valicek on 1 May 1867 as noted above.
The next children were Rozina Zbrankova (B 23 Jun 1853 - D 18 Mar 1854); Marina Zbrankova (B 11 Feb 1855 - D 2 Mar 1856); Josef Zbranek (B 1 Feb 1857) who emigrated to America 14 May 1859; Fabian Zbranek (B 20 Jan 1862) who married to House No. 250; Augustin Zbranek (B 26 Feb 1864); Vincenc Zbranek (B 2 Oct 1864 - D 26 Mar 1866); Vincenc (#2) Zbranek (B 30 Apr 1867 D 20 Feb 1883); Anna (#2) Zbrankova (B 23 Nov 1869 - D 23 Nov 1869).
The father and mother of Josef Zbranek were Jan Zbranek (B 29 Jul 1798 - D 29 May 1852) and Anna Kneblikova (B 14 Mar 1798 - D 13 Oct 1855).
His son:
Martin Valicek (b about 1776)
m. 1 Rozina Vasku (b between 1774/77)
m. 2 Rozina ? Orsakova (b between 1785/87)
m. 3 Rozina ? Kneblikova - 22 yr old daughter of Pavel Orsak of House # 325, Novy Hrozenkov.
all born in house #154, Novy Hrozenkov:
Martin Valicek - (b25 Feb 1817 - d 20 Jun 1852) -
m. Rozina Kneblikova on 21 Nov 1837 in Novy Hrozenkov
Marina Valickova - (b 5 Apr 1819)
Pavel Valicek - (b 19 Feb 1822)
Jan Valicek - (b 1 Jun 1824)
Josef Valicek - (b 20 Mar 1826)
m. Rozina Kortysova on 27 Jul 1858 in Novy Hrozenkov
Antonin Valicek - (b 18 Jan 1829 - d 12 May 1829)
Antonin Valicek - (b 20 Jun 1830)
In similar fashion, in Marty’s mothers family, there was an infant Joe and an infant Agnes. Both died early and a later son and daughter were named in their honor - Marty’s mother, Agnes, being one of them.
Jan Zbranek (B 29 Jul 1798 - D 29 May 1852) on 30 Jan 1816 - married Anna Kneblikova (B 14 Mar 1798 - D 13 Oct 1855)
They had at least one son, Josef
Josef Zbranek (B 16 Mar 1817 - D 17 Sep 1889) on 19 Feb 1849 - married Anna Dujkova (B 29 Jun 1823)
Their children:
Rozina Zbrankova (B 23 Jun 1853 - D 18 Mar 1854)
Marina Zbrankova (B 11 Feb 1855 - D 2 Mar 1856)
Josef Zbranek (B 1 Feb 1857) - emigrated to America 14 May 1859
Fabian Zbranek (B 20 Jan 1862)
Vincenc Zbranek (B 2 Oct 1864 - D 26 Mar 1866
Vincenc Zbranek (#2) (B 30 Apr 1867 - D 20 Feb 1883)
Anna (#2) Zbrankova - (B 23 Nov 1869 - D 23 Nov 1869). The first Anna had emigrated to America in 1869 and, in keeping with the custom of the times, the family apparently named this daughter in memory of the departed older daughter.
Augustin Zbranek - (B 26 Feb 1864)
md Anna Zbranek (B 22 Jan 1849 - D 22 May 1932) - Records in Czech Republic say born 8 Jan 1850
married Vincenc
Valicek 1 May 1867
Their children:
Infant Agnes
Anna Valicek md, first ? ? ? Nickel, second ? ? Sedlacek
Julie Valicek - md ? Walleck
Barbara (Aunt “Betty”) Valicek (B 1882 - D 7 Aug 1969 in Kerrville, TX)
md Frank W. Miller
Cecylije Wallek Valicek (B 1877 - D 27 Jan 1904 in Westhoff, TX)
Martin Valicek
Charles (Uncle “Charley”) Valicek - (B 17 Feb 1880 in Praha,
Fayette County, TX - D 12 Nov 1956)
md Johanna Hodanek (“Aunt Janey”) 6 Dec 1904
(B 22 May 1884 - D 24 May 1959)
Joe Valicek - md Emma Bohuslau or Bohuslov
Ed Valicek - md (7 Feb 1920) Mary Olsovsky (B17 Mar 1900 - D 29 May 1989)
Agnes Valicek (B 12 Mar 1893 - D 7 Nov 1981)
md Louis Dressler (B 30 May 1891 - D 28 Mar 1980)
John married Paulina Bohac, in Novy Hrozenkov, Czechoslovakia. She was born 1847, died 1945, and both are buried in St. John Cemetery, near Schulenberg, TX. They had at least one son, Emil, whose children still live near Schulenberg.
Cecylije Valicek apparently married a Wallek. Buried in the same plot with her in Gonzales is Ceiclie Wallek, headstone says B 9 Nov 1898 D 8 Dec 1915. Perhaps her daughter ? ?
in San Antonio, Texas on 18 March 1922
Their children:
Mary Martha Dressler (B 24 Jun 1924)
Alois L. Dressler (B 17 October 1931)
Bransford Family History
Dressler Family History
Shirley Family History
Bransford Family Photos
Dressler Family Photos
Shirley Family Photos
Valicek Family Photos
