FIRST - Czech Immigrants in Texas - Nelsonville, TX - First of its Kind on Waymarking.com

This historic marker is located on Texas State Hwy 159 which traverses the Eastern part of rural Fayette County and the Western part of Austin County, both known for its myriad of hamlets originally settled by Czech immigrants starting in the early 1850's.

The marker briefly mentions one of the first Czech settlers (Jiri Rybar, aka George Fisher), but focuses more on two specific individuals who were instrumental in bringing about the large Czech migrations to this part of the country:

Josef Lidumil Lesikar (1806-1887) 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, he and his family reached Galveston with the second group on board the Suwa in late December 1853. The family bought farmland in New Bremen (located about 4 miles South of this historical marker). He eventually wrote articles that got published in various parts of the US as well as in his native land, and his writings encouraged many Czechs to come to America.

Josef Arnost Bergmann (1798–1877), another father of Czech immigration to Texas, was originally a Catholic priest who eventually became a Protestant minister before immigrating to Texas. A letter sent back to his home country describing the freedom and bountiful cheap lands to be found in Texas eventually inspired others to immigrate as well. Groups of Czech families came in 1852, 1853, and 1854, and this started the waves of migration of Czech and Moravian people to Texas.

The marker reads:

"People from Czechy began to come to America for liberty as early as 1633. First known Czech in Texas was Jiri Rybar (George Fisher), customs officer in Galveston in 1829. Others arrived individually for years before letters sent home by the Rev. Josef Arnost Bergman, an 1849 Czech settler at Cat Spring (9 mi. S), inspired immigrations in large numbers.

Josef Lidumil Lesikar (1806-1887) was instrumental in forming the first two large migrations, 1851 and 1853, with names of family parties listed on ship logs as Silar (Shiller), 69; Lesikar (Leshikar), 16; Mares (Maresh), 10; Pecacek (Pechacek), 9; Rypl (Ripple), 7; Coufal, 6; Rosler (Roesler), 6; Motl, 5; Jezek, 4; Cermak, 3; Janecek, 3; Jirasek, 3; Kroulik, 2; Tauber, 2; Marek, 1; Pavlicek, 1.

With Pastor Bergman's counsel, many of the Czechs began to farm in Austin county. Other immigrations occurred in the 1850s, and became even heavier in the 1870s. Czechs eventually spread throughout the state, gaining recognition for industry, thrift, and cultural attainments. To preserve their heritage they succeeded in having a chair of Slavic Languages established (1915) at the University of Texas, and later at other schools. Their ethnic festivals have been held in various cities for many years."

An incising on the back of the historical marker reads:

"Marker sponsored by the following descendants:

Charles H. Chernosky, Jr.
Alfred R. Kroulik
John T. Kroulik
T'Odon C. Leshikar
Henry W. Marcak
Louise Shiller Maresh
Elizabeth M. Shiller
John J. Shiller
Rosalie A. Shiller
John J. Stalmach, Chairman"

FIRST - Classification Variable: Person or Group Date of FIRST: 08/31/1851 More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/06/2018 Raven visited it