Later in 1854 the “WESER” brought another group of Czech and Polish families to
Texas, landing in Galveston on December 3. Czechs included Franz Blaha and family,
Ferd. Dubsky, Maria Kotulla, Jan Kovajan and family, Franz Maniko, Jos. Matchotka,
Franz Strade and John Zvolanek, his wife Amalia and daughter. Zvolanek was an
ordained minister and a medical doctor. He first settled in San Falipe where he practiced
medicine. In 1855 he began serving the early Protestant Czech settlers of the Ross Prairie
(near Frelsburg) area as their preacher, leading certainly the first services spoken in
Czech in Texas and perhaps the U.S.A. The Polish families founded the town of Panna
Maria in Karnes County.
On June 3, 1855, the Bremen brig “WESER” under Captain Vespermann landed in
Galveston with a group of 13 Czech families primarily from the Vsetin area of eastern
Moravia. Also on this voyage were 15 Polish families. The Czechs included:
Vychopen, Joseph (3 persons) Ratibor
Hribek, Paul (5 persons) Vsetin
Bubela, Johann (6 persons) Vsetin
Baletka, Johann (3 persons) Ratibor
Balousek, Johann (5 persons) Ratibor
Slovacek, Joseph (6 persons) Jasenka
Kotrla, Paul (3 persons) Jasenka
Cunek, Martin Vstein
Mazac, Joseph (5 persons) Vsetin
Simara, Stephan (5 persons) Vsetin
Prozlednik, Joseph (3 persons) Vsetin
Krenek, Michel (2 persons) Vikantice
Krenek, Martin (2 persons) Vicantice
The Bremen bark “VOV VIENKE” arrived in Galveston on June 14, 1855, with 20
Czech families listed as from Moravia and believed to be part of the same group that
arrived 10 days earlier on the “WESER”. These families included:
Siptak, John (3)
Stepan, Martin (4)
Barkzak, Stephan and wife
Dubcak, John and wife
Baletka, John (3)
Mikus, John and wife
Elsik, Joseph (4)
Baluosek, John (5)
Kovar, Thomas (5)
Sebesta, Thomas (5)
Svadlenak, Paul
Zapalac, John (8)
Holec, Martin (6)
Zapalac, John and wife
Jecmenek, Joseph (5)
Roznoviak, John (3)
Voytek, Martin (3)
Galda (Kulda ?), Paul (6)
Branecky, Joseph
Rubac, Martin (3)
Four Czech immigrants arrived in Galveston on July 4, 1855 on the Bremen bark
“FRANCISCH”. All are listed as from Bohemia and included Vincenz Marek (2
persons), Cathrine Ripple and Anna Pechacek.
A Shiller family connection is believed to have sparked emigration of a large
number of Czechs from eastern Moravia. Among the passengers of the bark MARIA
were Josef Shiller and his sister Rosina, wife of Josef Jezek. They had a sister Anna Silar
who married Petr Mikeska, owner of the flour mill at Zadverice. Letters were exchanged
between these siblings, and a group of Mikeska's and others from Zadverice soon
followed to Texas, with Petr Mikeska and family arriving in 1855. This Shiller
connection is further reinforced by the recollections of Clara Reymershoffer, an early
Czech immigrant to Texas, who wrote (in "Hospodar", 1907, Volume XVIII, Number 1,
page 93): "There was a miller lady in Zadverice who had a sister in Texas, but since
neither of them could read or write, their correspondence was carried out by Rev.
Bergmann here in Texas and by my father in Moravia. In those letters Rev. Bergmann,
and especially Mrs. Bergmann, spoke so well of Texas that my parents gave priority to
Texas even though a Mr. Majer from St. Louis did not speak well of Texas." The
Reymershoffer, Kristofek, Kasparek and Rudlof families left Moravia in September,
1854, for Texas. Several other families from the Vsetin region in Moravia came to Texas
in 1855. They included three Mikeska families, Sebesta, Rubac, Roznovjek, Mikus, and
other families. They arrived in Cat Springs and then spread to communities in Austin and
Colorado Counties.
The Reverend Bergman and Josef Lesikar, both of whom were prolific writers,
continued their correspondence to Europe about the opportunities in Texas, and thus
encouraged many more Czechs to come to Texas. Many more did indeed come in the
period between 1855 and 1861, from both Cechy and Moravia. Among the Czechs who
came to the Cat Spring area during this period were Jan Reimershoffer, Josef Masik,
Bohumil Kolacny, Jakub Pachr and many others. A relatively large group of Czechs,
mostly from Moravia, reached Texas in 1860 on the JEVERLAND. Many of these
people settled in Fayette County. The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 virtually
stopped any immigration from Europe to Texas until the war ended in 1865.
The greatest influx of Czechs to Texas was after the Civil War. The majority of
these new settlers came from Moravia. Among those who located in Austin County,
many were from Zadverice; but Vsetin, Frydek-Mistek, Jemnice, Chotebudice and other
areas were also well represented. The community of Nelsonville in Austin County
became a popular place of residence with the Czechs during this period. Many children
was the norm for Texas Czech families at that time, and as the second generation children
came of age many moved away from their homes in Austin, Fayette and Colorado
Counties to other parts of Texas in search of new lands to farm. The following chart
shows the growth of Czech population in Austin County from 1850 to 1900.
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NOTE: This origin of this document was prepared as the basis for a ten-minute
presentation at the CZECH SYMPOSIUM, Temple, Texas, October 28, 1977, by Houston
residents and prominent Texas Czech historians John T. Kroulik , PhD (then retired U. S.
Army bacteriologist), Mrs. Guy Oliphint (then Executive Assistant of Denka Chemical
Corporation) and Albert J. Blaha, Sr. , B.S. (then Assistant Construction Manager of
International Products Petroleum and Chemical Group). An early version was printed in
“Czech Immigration Passenger Lists – Volume 1” by Leo Baca. It was revised by John
Kroulik in the late 1980’s and has been expanded by James V. Woodrick after 1989 to
include new information from a number of sources, especially from Frantisek Silar of the
Czech Republic and Albert Blaha, who compiled Czech immigrant lists from mid-1850s
ship arrivals.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX I
List of Czech Passengers on the MARIA Roster as Compiled in Liverpool, England.
AGE AGE
1) Johann Szornowsky 38 10) Josef Maresh 30
Rosalie Szornowsky 36 Theresa Maresh 24
Johanna Szornowsky 12 Vincenc Maresh 3
2) **Johannah Shiller 53? Frantiska Maresh Infant
*Bernard Shiller 22 11) *Josef Shiller 42
3) *Johann Shiller 35 Ann Shiller 42
Rosalia Shiller 34 Johann(ah?) Shiller 8
Rosalie Shiller Infant Vincenc Shiller 13
Vincent Shiller 6 Franz Shiller 6
Ann Shiller 3 Teresie Shiller Infant
4) Josef Jezek 26 Ann Shiller 10
Rosine Jezek 30 Rosalie Shiller 2
Rosalie Jezek Infant 12) Wenzel Motyl 34
Josef Jezek 6 Ann Motyl 31
5) Josef Leshikar 35 Josef Motyl 6
Ann Leshikar 37 Ann Motyl 4
Vincenc Leshikar 10 Rosalie Infant
+Josef Leshikar 9 13) Johann Rosler 46
++Theresa Leshikar 4 Karoline Rosler 29
Anna Leshikar Infant Ferdinand Rosler 5
6) Josef Rypl 24 Johann(ah) Rosler 3
*Ann Rypl 31 Vedielin Rosler Infant
Vincenc Rypl 2 Wendlin Rosler 54
Anna or Josef Rypl Infant 14) Josef Rypl (alone) 26
7) *Vincenc Shiller 26 15) Johann Coufal 31
Ann Shiller 26 Veronika Coufal 30
Josef Shiller 2 Vincenc Coufal 7
8) *Carl Shiller 33 Anna Coufal Infant
Ann Shiller 28 16) Anton Votava 55
Johann Shiller 2 Antonia Votava 48
Anna Shiller 6 Vincenc Votava 22
9) Josef Shiller 45 Rosalie Votava 17
*Rosalie Shiller 39 Franciska Votava 16
Vincenz Shiller 13 17) Josef Shiller 29
Josef Shiller 10 *Theresa Shiller 21
Ann Shiller 9 Anna Shiller Infant
NOTE: Asterisk (*) denotes children of Johanna Shiller
+ later raised by Palm family (became Joseph Palm)
++ later raised by Schneider's, married Herman Sens
The MARIA passengers in greater detail, as researched by Frantisek Silar,
follows:
1. Johanna SHILLER
widow of Pavel Shiller from Nepomuky No. 3,
daughter of
Vojtecha Balcar from Cermna 174, born 8 September 1790.
Bernard SHILLER her single son, born 8 November 1829.
2. Jan SHILLER
from Nepomuky No. 3, son of Pavel and Johanna
Shiller, born
15 February 1816.
Rosalie SHILLER wife, daughter of Josef Jezek from Cermna 307, 34 years, and
children:
Rosalie SHILLER born 2 September 1850
Vincenc SHILLER born 14 December 1844
Anna SHILLER born 23 July 1848
3. Johann SZORNOWSKY
Rosalie Szornowsky
Johanna Szornowsky
4. Josef JEZEK
from Cermna No. 324, age 26
Rozina JEZEK wife, nee Shiller from Nepomuky No. 29, age 30, and children:
Rosalie JEZEK
Josef JEZEK 6 years
5. Josef LESIKAR
from Cermna No. 307, son of Frantisek Lesikar
and Veronica
Dusek, cousin of Josef Lidumil Lesikar, born 11 September 1816.
Anna LESIKAR wife, daughter of Josef Jezek from Cermna No. 307, age 35, and
children:
Vincenc LESIKAR born 8 April 1845
Josef LESIKAR born 12 January 1841
Teresie LESIKAR born 8 February 1843
Anna LESIKAR born 18 June 1847
6. Anton VOTAVA
Nepomuky, 55 years
Anna VOTAVA wife, age 48 , and children:
Vincenc VOTAVA age 22
Rosalie VOTAVA age 17
Frantiska VOTAVA age 16
7. Josef RYPL
Nepomuky No. 19, born 14 May 1827
Ann RYPL, daughter of Pavel and Johanna Shiller from Nepomuky No. 3, born 22 June
1820, and children:
Vincenc RYPL born 3 February 1849
Anna RYPL born 5 July 1851
Josef RYPL born 5 July 1851
8. Josef SHILLER
Nepomuky No. 7, born 16 AUG 1830
Teresie SHILLER wife, daughter of Pavel and Johanna Shiller from Nepomuky No. 3,
born 5 OCT 1822, and child:
Anna SHILLER born 8 June 1850
9. Vincenc SHILLER
son of Pavel and Johanna Shiller from
Nepomuky No. 3,
born 22 MAY 1825.
Anna SHILLER wife, Nepomuky No. 6, born 20 NOV 1826, and children:
Josef SHILLER age 2
Vincenc SHILLER born 20 DEC 1850
10. Karel SHILLER
Nepomuky No. 12, son of Pavel and Johanna
Shiller, born 15
JUN 1818.
Anna SHILLER wife, nee Rypl, born 14 MAR 1824, and children:
Jan SHILLER born 16 JAN 1850
Anna SHILLER born 9 OCT 1845
11. Josef RYPL
Nepomuky, born 30 OCT 1826
12. Josef SHILLER
Nepomuky No. 3, son of Pavel Shiller and
Kateriny Markove
from Nepomuky No. 7, born 24 SEP 1805
Rosalie SHILLER wife, daughter of Pavel and Johanna Shiller from Nepomuky No. 3,
born 30 MAR 1812, and children:
Vincenc SHILLER born 28 JAN 1837
Josef SHILLER born 20 APR 1839
Anna SHILLER born 18 MAY 1841
13. Josef MARES
Cermna No. 140, age 30
Teresie MARES wife, nee Shiller, age 24, and children:
Vincenc MARES age 3
Frantiska MARES ---
14. Josef SHILLER
Albrectice, son of Pavel and Johanna Shiller,
Nepomuky No. 3,
born 14 MAR 1810.
Anna SHILLER second wife, nee RYPL, Nepomuky No.15, born 6 AUG 1817, and
children:
Jan SHILLER born 20 AUG 1843
Vincenc SHILLER born 18 MAR 1838
Frantisek SHILLER born 1 NOV 1845
Teresie SHILLER born 24 JAN 1851
Anna SHILLER born 8 NOV 1839
Rosalie SHILLER born 6 JAN 1849
15. Vaclav MOTL
Cermna, born 1817
Anna MOTL wife, nee Shiller from Nepomuky No.17, born 1820, and children:
Josef MOTL age 6
Anna MOTL age 4
Rosalie MOTL ---
16. Jan RESLER
Dolni Hermanice, age 46
Karolina RESLER wife, age 29, and children:
Ferdinand RESLER age 5
Jan RESLER age 3
Vendelin RESLER ---
17. Jan COUFAL
Cermna No. 234, born 1820
Veronika COUFAL wife, nee Lesikar from Herbortice, born 1821, and children:
Vincenc COUFAL born 1844
Jan COUFAL born 1846
Anna COUFAL born 1849
APPENDIX II
Bark SUWA - Captain D. Schwarz
Left Bremerhaven Nov. 11, 1853
Arrived Galveston Dec. 23, 1853
84 Entries 206 Persons
New Braunfels Zeitung 13.1.1854
PASSENGER LIST
Bano, Heinrich - from Berlin
Bode, Joachim - from Berlin
Brunner, Johann- from Dresden
Bunte, Family - from Braunschweig, 7 persons
Carstens, Maria - from Oldenburg
Caufel, Amalie - from Vienna
Crach, Gustav - from Kassel, 5 persons
Diedrich, Maria - from Kassel
Dreves, Carl - from Berlin
Ezermack, Franz - from Vienna, 3 persons
Grote, F. W. - from Berlin
Hartman, Wilh, and Dor. - from Hanover
Heine, Fried. - from Hannover
Herzger, Edward - from Dresden
Hochen, Heinrich - from Hannover
Hopper, Heinrich - from Hannover
Huber, Christian - from Wittenberg
Janecek, Wenzel and Anna - from Vienna
Jires, Family - from Vienna, 3 persons
Juergens, Eriedrich - from Hannover
Junk, Sigismund - from Berlin
Kaule, Gotthelf - from Berlin
Kittel, Hernlan and Christiane - from Berlin
Klein, Family - from Berlin, 5 persons
Klober, Susanna - from Darmstadt, 5 persons
Klunker, Family - from Berlin, 3 persons
Kohl, Louis and Wilhme.- from Altenburg
Kroalik, Johann and Anna - from Vienna (mother and son)
Leschikar, Family -from Vienna,11 persons (2 families)
Lohmalln, Friedke - from Berlin
Lubbbert, Wilh. - from Detmold
Maak,Dorothea - from Berlin
Mandel, Family - from Hannover, 5 persons
Maresch, Family - from Vienna, 6 persons
Meier, Heinrlch - from Hannover
Mittler, Johann F. - from Munich
Moeller, Johann - from Berlin
Moreck, Franz - from Vienna
Muschke, Gustav - from Berlin
Ober, Philip - from Berlin
Obermeier, Johann H. - from Berlin
Ochs, Family - from Kassel, 4 persons
Paulicec, Franz - from Vienna
Pechack, Family - from Vienna, 9 persons
Peglich, Johann - from Cassel
Plasmann, Louise and 2 children - from Berlin
Pommervenke, Wilh. - from Dresden
Puls, F. and Friedke - from Berlin
Rabe, Johanna - from Braunschweig
Rausch, Hein. and Cath. - from Cassel
Rebentisch, C. F. - from Cassel
Reifer, Emil - from Cassel
Ribbel, Franziska - from Vienna
Rieke, Johann - from Berlin
Riemenschneider, Val. - from Cassel
Rippel, Franz - from Vienna
Rittel, Herman and Christianae - from Berlin
Ruprecht, Robert - from Berlin
Ruschek, Franz and Mariane - from Vienna
Sattler, Wilh. - from Berlin
Schaper, Christian - from Hannover
Schilde, J. G. - from Berlin
Schiller, Family - from Vienna, 38 persons
Schmldkamp, Bernh. - from Berlin
Schneider, Family - from Berlin, 8 persons
Schoke, Wilh. - from Hannover
Schulze, Johanna - from Berlin
Scheen, F. - from Hannover
Segger, Fried. - from Hannover
Selzack, Johann and Anna - from Vienna
Sieghorst, Carl L. - from Berlin
Slege, Hinerich - from Hannover
Soellner, Dor. - from Berlin
Strunke, Hein. and Johanna - from Berlin
Taiber, Joseph and Cath. - from Vienna
Tiekoetter, Family - from Berlin, 4 persons
Tresimer, Carl - from Berlin
Veinhorn, Family - from Hannover, 6 persons
Voessek, August - from Berlin
Vogt, Wilg. and Henriette - from Berlin
Wiegel, Christian - from Braunschweig
Wittbecker, Wilh. - from Berlin
Zachas, Joseph - from Vienna
Bark SUWA Surnames of the Czechs
Caufel - Coufal
Czernak - Cermak
Janecek - Janecek
Jirasch - Jires
Kroalik - Kroulik
Leschikar - Lesikar (Leshikar)
Maresch - Mares (Maresh)
Moreck - Marek
Paulicec - Pavlicek
Pechack - Pechacek
Ribbel - Rypl (Ripple)
Rippel - Rypl (Ripple)
Ruschek - Not Verified
Sachasch - Not Verified
Schiller - Silar (Shilar, Shiller)
Selzack - Slezak
Taiber - Tauber
