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Josef Lidumil Lesikar
LESIKAR, JOSEF LIDUMIL (1806�1887). Josef Lidumil Lesikar, a politician, farmer, and journalist best remembered for his contribution to the settlement
of Czechs in America, was born on May 16, 1806, at Herboritice, in what is now the Czech Republic, to Josef and Rozalie (Prokop) Lesikar. On February 18, 1828, he married
Terezie Silar; the couple eventually had four sons. As a young man Lesikar settled in the village of Nepomuky and worked chiefly as a tailor and farmer. He engaged in
politics to obtain more freedom for his fellow Czechs from the dominance of Austria. He was elected representative to the Czech parliament in Prague but did not serve
because of the revolution in 1848. Shortly after the revolution he was instrumental in organizing two groups of about 160 Czechs to immigrate to Texas, in 1851 and 1853.
Although about half of the first group died, Lesikar, his wife, and their four sons reached Galveston with the second group on board the Suwa in late December 1853. The
family bought farmland in New Bremen, Austin County. The men felled trees and built a log house that still stands, with a Texas historical marker before it. Lesikar wrote
articles for periodicals published in various parts of the United States as well as in his native land, and his writings encouraged many Czechs to come to America. As one
of the founders of N�rodn� hoviny, a Czech newspaper published in St. Louis, he helped to lay the foundation for Czech journalism in America. In his writing he opposed
secession. He died on October 21, 1887, near New Ulm and is buried in the New Ulm Cemetery.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Clinton Machann, ed., The Czechs in Texas (College Station: Texas A&M University Department of English, 1979). Clinton Machann and James W. Mendl, Kr�sn�
Amerika: A Study of the Texas Czechs, 1851�1939 (Austin: Eakin Press, 1983).
John T. Kroulik
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/LL/fle59.html
Descendants of JOSEF LIDUMIL LESIKAR
Generation No. 1
1.
JOSEF LIDUMIL1 LESIKAR was born May 16, 1806 in BOHEMIA, and died October 21, 1887. He married TEREZIE SILAR. She was born February 14, 1808 in BOHEMIA, and died November 01, 1884.Notes for JOSEF LIDUMIL LESIKAR:
1880 Census Place: Precinct 5, Austin, Texas
Source: FHL Film 1255289 National Archives Film T9-1289 Page 453D
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Vincent LESCHIKER Self MMW 40 BOHEMIA Occ:Farmer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Anna LESCHIKER Wife FMW 32 MORAVIA Occ:Keeping House Fa: MORAVIAMo: MORAVIA
Anna LESCHIKER Dau FSW 10 TX Occ: At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: MORAVIA
Vincenz LESCHIKER Son MSW 4 TX Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: MORAVIA
John LESCHIKER Son MSW 2 TX Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: MORAVIA
Anna HEJL Other FSW 18 BOHEMIA Occ: Servant Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Joseph LESCHIKER Father MMW 74 BOHEMIA Occ: At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Therese LESCHIKER Mother FMW 72 BOHEMIA Occ: At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Portrait of Josef L. Lesikar.
Winedale Photograph Collection
Josef L. Lesikar, a Czech tailor, farmer, and political leader, organized the first groups of immigrants to Texas in the early 1850s. Though their passage was arduous, and many of the immigrants died, the settlements eventually prospered. Lesikar built a log home in New Bremen in neighboring Austin County and continued to promote Czech immigration in Texas until his death in 1887. His descendants hold yearly gatherings where they display a prized family heirloom: a Czech prayer book of 1615 carried by Josef Lesikar on the perilous journey of immigration.
Descendants of Josef Lesikar, ca. 1915, and Lesikar family Czech prayer book, 1615. Louise Leshikar Baier, Emily Leshikar Kroulik, Charles Leshikar, Sr., Therasia Leshikar Stalmach, Annie Leshikar Shiller, Joe Charles Leshikar, Charles Otto Leshikar, and Frank Fred. Leshikar.
Winedale Photograph Collection
JOSEF LIDUMIL LESHIKAR BUILT LOG HOUSE IN 1854 FIRST HOMESTEAD OF CZECH SETTLERS WHICH HAS AN HISTORICAL MARKER
Josef Lidumil Lesikar
New Ulm
Marker Location:
FM 109, New Ulm Cemetery, New Ulm
Marker Text:
Josef Lidumil Lesikar (May 16, 1806-October 21, 1887) Born along the Czech-Moravian border, Josef Lidumil Lesikar received early training as a tailor. During the revolution of 1848, he became a spokesman for political freedom in his homeland. In 1853 he led a group of immigrants to the new Czech settlements in Austin county. Always opposed to slavery, Lesikar spoke out against secession and Civil War in articles he wrote for Czech and U.S. newspapers. Lesikar married Terezie Silar (1808-1884) and had four sons.
More About JOSEF LIDUMIL LESIKAR:
Burial: October 1887, NEW ULM CEMETERY, NEW ULM, AUSTIN, TEXAS
Notes for TEREZIE SILAR:
Surnames: Shiller Siler Silar Schiller
Jan Silar, origin Czech, from E. Bohemian village of Nepomuky, born abt. 1790, arrived to Galveston 23.12.1853 on s/s Suwa with a company of about 70 people leaded by Josef L. Lesikar (See Texas-on-line) with his brothers (Vincenc *1831, 1858 Colorado CO., Frantisek 1856:Natur. Austin, Bernard 1871 natur. Austin, +Ignac),spouse
Terezie nee JIRASEK (born abt. 1808) and children. Settled down in New Ulm.
Son Joseph H. Shiller moved in 1869 to Industry, where he would own grocery store and bar. Mother Therezie lived with the family. Family moved in abt. 1880 to New Sweden, Travis co., where mother died, burried at New Ulm cem. Cf. Czech Pioneers of the Southwest, Hudson + Maresh.
Another child - dau. Anna (1825-1870) m. Vincent Joe Shiller (1825-1886) arrived on s/s Maria 3.2.1852 to N. Orleans (very unhappy expedition, first from East Bohemia - see article in Nase Dejiny by Blaha in 1980s)
More About TEREZIE SILAR:
Burial: November 1884, NEW ULM CEMETERY, NEW ULM, AUSTIN, TEXAS
Children of JOSEF LESIKAR and TEREZIE SILAR are:
2. i. CHARLES2 LESHIKAR, b. Abt. 1836, BOHEMIA.
3. ii. VINCENT LESIKAR, b. Abt. 1840, BOHEMIA.
Generation No. 2
2.
CHARLES2 LESHIKAR (JOSEF LIDUMIL1 LESIKAR) was born Abt. 1836 in BOHEMIA. He married ROSALIE. She was born Abt. 1844 in BOHEMIA.Notes for CHARLES LESHIKAR:
1880 Census Place: Precinct 5, Austin, Texas
Source: FHL Film 1255289 National Archives Film T9-1289 Page 454A
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Charles LESCHIKER Self MMW 44 BOHEMIA Occ: Farmer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Rosalie LESCHIKER Wife FMW 36 BOHEMIA Occ: Keeping House Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Therese LESCHIKER Dau FSW 16 TX Occ: At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Anna LESCHIKER Dau FSW 12 TX Occ: At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Joseph LESCHIKER Son MSW 10 TX Occ: At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Rosa LESCHIKER Dau FSW 8 TX Occ: At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Emilie LESCHIKER Dau FSW 3 TX Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Charles LESCHIKER Son MSW 1 TX Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Joseph RESNOVICK Other MSW 22 MORAVIA Occ:Laborer Fa: MORAVIA Mo: MORAVIA
Children of CHARLES LESHIKAR and ROSALIE are:
i. THERESIA3 LESHIKAR, b. April 07, 1864, TEXAS; d. September 30, 1937; m. JOHN STALMACH, November 22, 1884, AUSTIN CO., TEXAS; b. March 23, 1861, AUSTRIA; d. February 01, 1940.
More About THERESIA LESHIKAR:
Burial: September 1937, NATIONAL CEMETERY, NELSONVILLE, AUSTIN, TEXAS
Notes for JOHN STALMACH:
Stalma (Stalmah), John Theresa Leschikar H 133 22 Nov 1884
6 SONS, TWO DAUGHTERS
1915 picture in "SETTLEMENT IN THE FORKS OF MILL CREEK A HISTORY OF THE NELSON VILLE AREA AUSTIN COUNTY, TEXAS BY JAMES V. WOODRICK SHOWS THE STALMACH FAMILY: JOHN, EDWIN, LEONA, CHARLIE, LYDIA, EDMOND, ADOLPH, THRERESA, EDDIE, JOHN.
STAHLMACH, JOHN (1900 U.S. Census)
TEXAS , AUSTIN, 4 J-PCT
Age: 39, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: MORA
Series: T623 Roll: 1608 Page: 104B
STAHLMACH, JOHN MAR 1849 39 M 15 MORAVIA MORAVIA MORAVIA 1878 22
THERESA WIFE APR 1864 36 M 15 9/8 TX BOHEMIA BOHEMIA
ADOLPH SON AUG 1886 13 S TX MORAVIA BOHEMIA
JOHN SON NOV 1888 11 S TX
KARL SON DEC 1890 9 S TX
EDUARD SON JAN 1893 7 S TX
LEONA DAU JULY 1894 5 S TX
EDWIN SON DEC 1896 3 S TX
EDMOND SON DEC 1896 3 S TX
LYDIA DAU JAN 1900 8/12 S TX
STALMACH, JOHN (1910 U.S. Census)
TEXAS , AUSTIN, 7 J-PCT
Age: 49, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: AUST
Series: T624 Roll: 1528 Page: 304A
STALMACH, JOHN 49 M1 25 AUST AUST AUST 1879 NA
THERESA WIFE 46 M1 25 9/8 TX AUST AUST
ADOLPH SON 23 S TX AUST TX
JOHN SON 21 S TX
CHARLES SON 19 S
EDDIE SON 17S TX
LEONA DAU 15 S TX
EDWIN SON 13 S TX
EDMOND SON 13 S TX
LYDIA DAU 10 S TX
STALMACK, JOHN (1920 U.S. Census)
TEXAS , AUSTIN, 7 J-PCT
Age: 58, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: BOHE
Series: T625 Roll: 1772 Page: 265A
STALMACK, JOHN 58 M 1879 NA 1885 BOHEMIA BOH BOH
THERESA WIFE 55 M TX BOH BOH
EDMOND SON 23 S TX BOH TX
LYDIA DAU 19 S TX BOH TX
STALMACH, JOHN (1930 U.S. Census)
TEXAS , AUSTIN, 7 J-PCT
Age: 69, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: CZEC
Series: T626 Roll: 2287 Page: 255A
STALMACH, JOHN 69 M 24 CZECH CZECH CZECH 1879 NA
THERESA WIFE 65 M 20 TX CZ CZ
EDWIN SON 33 S TX CZ TX
More About JOHN STALMACH:
Burial: February 1940, NATIONAL CEMETERY, NELSONVILLE, AUSTIN, TEXAS
ii. ANNA LESHIKAR, b. Abt. 1868, TEXAS; m. SHILLER.
iii. JOSEPH LESHIKAR, b. Abt. 1870.
iv. ROSA LESHIKAR, b. Abt. 1872.
v. EMILIE LESHIKAR, b. February 04, 1877, TEXAS; d. March 06, 1930; m. JOHN KROULIK, Abt. 1905; b. October 05, 1872, TEXAS; d. November 07, 1947.
More About EMILIE LESHIKAR:
Burial: March 1930, NEW ULM CEMETERY, NEW ULM, AUSTIN, TEXAS
Notes for JOHN KROULIK:
KROULIK, JOHN D (1900 U.S. Census)
TEXAS , AUSTIN, NELSONVILLE
Age: 28, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: TX
Series: T623 Roll: 1608 Page: 182A
KROULIK, JOHN D. OCT 1872 27 M 0 TX BOH BOH PHYSICIAN
TEREZIA WIFE SEPT 1875 24 M 0 0/0 BOH BOH BOH
DR.
KROULIK, JOHN (1910 U.S. Census)
TEXAS , AUSTIN, 7 J-PCT
Age: 37, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: TX
Series: T624 Roll: 1528 Page: 303 B
KROULIK, JOHN 27 M2 5 TX AUST AUST PHYSICIAN
EMILY WIFE 33 M1 5 1/1 TX AUST AUST
ALFRED SON 4 S TX TX TX
KROULIK, JOHN (1930 U.S. Census)
TEXAS , AUSTIN, 7 J-PCT
Age: 57, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: TX
Series: T626 Roll: 2287 Page: 261A
KROULIK, JOHN 57 WD TX CZECH CZECH
JOHN SON 19 S TX TX TX
More About JOHN KROULIK:
Burial: November 1947, NEW ULM CEMETERY, NEW ULM, AUSTIN, TEXAS
vi. CHARLES LESHIKAR, b. Abt. 1879.
3.
VINCENT2 LESIKAR (JOSEF LIDUMIL1) was born Abt. 1840 in BOHEMIA. He married ANNA. She was born Abt. 1848 in MORAVIA.
Children of VINCENT LESIKAR and ANNA are:
i. ANNA3 LESIKAR, b. Abt. 1870, TEXAS.
ii. VINCENZ LESIKAR, b. Abt. 1876, TEXAS.
iii. JOHN LESIKAR, b. Abt. 1878, TEXAS.
