A steady stream of Czech settlers began to enter Central Texas in the 1850’s, inspired by the reports of early immigrants, like Rev. Josef Arnost Bergman, who wrote letters back to the homeland extolling the benefits of the area. Soon the whole countryside became dotted with small settlements, Fayetteville, Mulberry (now Praha), Dubina, Ross Prairie, etc., and the Czechs became the dominant settlers, outnumbering the Germans who had arrived earlier. The Czech immigrants shared certain values in common: a closely-knit family structure, a love of the land and aptitude for farming, and a love of education.

Jan and Ferdinand’s maternal uncle, Alois Klimicek, was among the earliest Czech settlers in Texas, with his group emigrating from Moravia in 1856. He settled in Bluff, south of LaGrange and his name can be seen engraved on an historical marker (see photo left) located near the river bluff south of the city.

These immigrants had left their homeland for various reasons. Living conditions were extremely difficult for the common people who lacked the ability to farm because most of the land was held by the nobility. Politically they were under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and their national pride and aspirations were severely repressed. In the region around Frenštát, where Jan and Ferdinand were born, family cottage industries producing hand-woven fabrics had supported the peasantry for decades, but the introduction of mechanized weaving had begun to eliminate that means of income. Consequently many chose to emigrate in order to be able to own land and start a new life for themselves and their descendants.

Antonia Pribyl

The letter at left was sent to Jan from Frenštát in 1921 in celebration of his 90th birthday. It is signed by 22 members of the Citizenship Club of Frenštát, a fraternal organization he had helped found as a young man. “To the oldest living member, we hope that you will reach 100. We wish you good health and quiet contentment in the midst of family.” Photo at right is the family of Wilhelm and Libusa Baass (Jan's daughter), who carefully preserved the family documents. Their granddaughter, Mary Lou Urban, still lives on part of Jan's original 500-acre tract in Victoria, Texas.