Historical Background
Beginning in 1856 a wave of Czech immigrants came to settle on the west bank of the Colorado River in Fayette County, Texas. Czech immigrants coming to Texas hailed from three provinces of the Austrian Empire – Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. These three provinces were collectively known as the Czech Crown Lands. For centuries they had been possessions of Czech kings.
Czech immigrants brought a bit of the Old Country to the New World. They bought farms, built churches and set up schools; they established their own communities. All the while they kept a strong attachment for the Old Country.
The Czechs who came to Texas never quite forgot the villages of their birth. When they died their birthplaces were often remembered in the inscriptions on their tombstones. A record was thus preserved for posterity of the areas of the Czech Crown Lands from whence the immigrants came.
Czechs were not new to Texas in 1856. The immigration in that year, however, culminated in the establishment of Texas’ first Czech communities. One group of families settled near the Navidad River in southern Fayette County. They gave their community the name Dubina. They came from the northeastern Moravian villages of Ticha and Mnisi.
Other families traveling with the Dubina settlers came from the neighboring villages of Frenstat, Trojanovice and Sklenov. They chose to settle in central Fayette County, across the Colorado River from La Grange, the county seat. Their settlement later came to be known as Hostyn.
Dubina and Hostyn
The original settlers of Dubina and Hostyn came to Texas from a few villages in northeastern Moravia – Frenstat, Mnisi, Sklenov, Ticha and Trojanovice. Since many Czech settlers’ birthplaces are recorded on their tombstones, the graveyards at Dubina and Hostyn provide a clue to the areas of the Czech Crown Lands that sent succeeding immigrants.
About one-sixth of the tombstone inscriptions in the cemetery at Dubina and about one-sixth f those in the Hostyn cemetery identify place of birth. (This figure may seem small, but it must be remembered that it represents not only the graves of immigrants, but those of their Texas-born descendants as well.) A look at these birthplaces suggests that Moravia sent more immigrants to these communities than did the other Czech Crown Lands.
Seventy-four tombstones in the Catholic cemetery at Dubina list birthplaces. These birthplaces are distributed as follows:
Moravia – 64 Austria – 2
Silesia – 4 Slovakia – 1
Texas – 1
Of the Dubina settlers born in the Czech Crown Lands and having their birthplace on their tombstone, 94.1% were born in Moravia.
Fifty-two tombstones in the Catholic cemetery at Hostyn list birthplaces. These birthplaces are distributed as follows:
Moravia – 39 Bohemia – 4
Silesia – 4 Texas – 4
North Carolina – 1
Of the Hostyn settlers born in the Czech Crown Lands and having their birthplace on their tombstone, 83.0% were born in Moravia.
A closer look at the tombstones in these graveyards identifies the area of Moravia that was the homeland of the settlers of these two communities. It should be remembered, of course, that the immigrants’ children and grandchildren did not always know how to spell the names of their ancestral Czech villages; nor did the craftsmen who carved the tombstones always spell correctly names in a language with which they were unfamiliar.
The sixty-four Moravian-born settlers of Dubina came from the following villages:
Frenstat – 2 Polom – 1
Hodslavice – 1 Pstruzi – 1
Hranice – 1 Rychaltice – 1
Jindrichov – 5 Sklenov – 4
Kladeruby – 1 Staric – 1
Lhotka – 1 Stramberk – 5
Lichnov – 4 Talkovice – 1
Loucky – 1 Ticha – 12
Merkovice – 1 Velka – 1
Mnisi – 3 Vetrkovice – 1
Novy Hrozenkov – 1 Vitkovice – 1
Olbresticky – 1 Vlcovice – 4
Palkovice – 2 Zaben – 1
Partutovice – 2 Zelinkovice – 1
not specified – 3
Despite the fact that some village names commonly appear in different parts of the Czech Crown Lands, it is apparent that most of the settlers whose birthplaces are recorded on their tombstones came to Dubina from the northeastern region of Moravia.
The thirty-nine Moravian-born settlers of Hostyn came from the following villages:
Frenstat – 14 Stara Bela – 1
Hovezi – 1 Stepanov – 1
Hrabova – 1 Stepanovice – 1
Nemecky Jesenik – 3 Svarec – 1
Nova Bela – 1 Trojanovice – 11
Palkovice – 1 Zabreh – 1
Sklenov – 1 not specified – 1
It is apparent that most of the settlers whose birthplaces are recorded on their tombstones came to Hostyn from the northeastern region of Moravia as well.
Ammannsville
From the early communities of Dubina and Hostyn, Czech settlement spread over much of Texas. In the 1870s Czechs settled Ammannsville, a community that grew up between Dubina and Hostyn. Many of Ammannsville’s settlers came from the two older communities. Others came to Ammennsville from the Old Country. Ammannsville was an extension of the 1856 settlement.
Once again about one-sixth of the tombstone inscriptions in the cemetery at Ammannsville identify place of birth. This included fifty-eight tombstones. The birthplaces inscribed on them are distributed as follows:
Moravia – 42 Bohemia – 6
Silesia – 5 Germany – 1
Texas – 4
Of the Ammannsville settlers born in the Czech Crown Lands and having their birthplace on their tombstone, 79.2% were born in Moravia. The forty-two Moravian-born settlers of Ammannsville came from the following villages:
Frenstat – 19 Ticha – 1
Hrabuvka – 4 Trojanovice – 1
Krezanov – 1 Ujezd – 1
Lichnov – 1 Velke Kuncice – 1
Palkovice – 1 Vitkovice – 1
Proskovice – 1 Zaben – 2
Stara Bela – 3 Zabreh – 2
Stara Ves – 2 not specified – 1
As in the case of Dubina and Hostyn, it is apparent that most of the settlers whose birthplaces are recorded on their tombstones came to Ammannsville from northeastern Moravia.
Conclusions
The original settlers of Dubina and Hostyn came to Texas from a few villages in the northeastern corner of Moravia. The immigrants that later followed them to these two communities and to neighboring Ammannsville came primarily from the same region.
Dubina and Hostyn, moreover, especially attracted settlers from the villages of their founders.
Dubina was originally settled by families from the villages of Mnisi and Ticha. The village of Ticha appears more often on Dubina tombstones than any other birthplace. Immigrants from Ticha and Mnisi followed their friends and relatives to Dubina.
Hostyn’s original settlers hailed from the villages of Frenstat, Sklenov and Trojanovice. Some 64.1% of the Moravian immigrants whose birthplaces are recorded on their tombstones at Hostyn came from Frenstat and Trojanovice. Immigrants from these villages followed their friends and relatives to Hostyn.
The Ammannsville settlers had close ties with the two older communities. The connection was especially close in the case of Hostyn, because for many years the Ammannsville church was a mission connected to the Hostyn parish. Like Hostyn, Ammannsville had many settlers from Frenstat. Some 45.2% of the Moravian immigrants whose birthplaces are recorded on their tombstones at Ammannsville came from Frenstat.
Dubina, Hostyn and Ammannsville were quite literally Moravian communities transplanted on Texas soil.
Birthplaces
Frenstat pod Radhostem, Moravia:
1. Alois Adamcik, c.1850-1919, Ammannsville
2. Alzbeta Barta, 1834-1911, Ammannsville
3. Frantisek Barta, 1829-1886, Hostyn
4. Anna Cernosek, 1843-1884, Hostyn
5. Antonia Cernosek, 1843-1897, Ammannsville
6. Antonin Cernosek, 1837-1920, Ammannsville
7. Frantisek Cernosek, 1847-1886, Hostyn
8. Jan Cernosek, 1839-1898, Ammannsville
9. Marie Cernosek, 1843-1923, Ammannsville
10. Frantisek Genzer, 1857-1928, Ammannsville
11. Marie Genzer, 1858-1905, Ammannsville
12. Zofie Genzer, ____-1922, Ammannsville
13. Jan Hradecny, 1838-1891, Ammannsville
14. Anna (Parma) Janda, 1859-1948, Hostyn
15. Anna Kallus, 1863-1954, Hostyn
16. Bohdan Kallus, 1854-1938, Hostyn
17. Marie Kana, 1874-1965, Hostyn
18. Zofie Klis, 1872-1891, Ammannsville
19. Maria Kneitz, 1844-1911, Dubina
20. Jan Kubala, 1847-1914, Hostyn
21. Karolina (Kaspar) Kubala, 1844-1934, Hostyn
22. Marie Mensik, 1860-1927, Ammannsville
23. Josefa (Hunka) Morkovsky, 1829-1891, Hostyn
24. Anna (Holub) Muzny, 1827-1882, Dubina
25. Johanna Osina, 1858-1928, Ammannsville
26. Anezka Parma, 1870-1952, Ammannsville
27. Frantisek J. Parma, 1870-1915, Ammannsville
28. Jan Parma, 1870-1898, Ammannsville
29. Amalie (Parma) Pastusek, 1842-1914, Hostyn
30. Antonin Pastusek, 1841-1920, Hostyn
31. Josef Pratka, 1819-1912, Hostyn
32. Marie (Sevcik) Rainosek, 1866-1938, Hostyn
33. Frantisek Sobotik, 1830-1900, Ammannsville
34. Jan Sobotik, 1866-1890, Ammannsville
35. Marie Sobotik, 1837-1911, Ammannsville
Hodslavice, Moravia:
1. Rozina (Kunetka) Turek, 1849-1886, Dubina
Hovezi, Moravia:
1. Rev. Paul P. Kaspar, 1892-1958, Hostyn
Hrabova, Moravia:
1. Peter J. Janacek, 1861-1926, Hostyn
Hrabuvka, Moravia:
1. Adolf Janacek, 1865-1913, Ammannsville
2. Frantisek Janacek, 1849-1935, Ammannsville
3. Jan Janacek, 1855-1889, Ammannsville
4. Veronika Janacek, 1853-1891, Ammannsville
Hranice, Moravia:
1. Josef Janecka, 1850-1898, Dubina
Jindrichov, Moravia:
1. Frank Ambroz, 1831-1910, Dubina
2. Frantisek Hercik, 1837-1918, Dubina
3. Magdalena Hercik, 1849-1933, Dubina
4. Martin Hercik, 1838-1894, Dubina
5. Terezia Hercik, 1837-1916, Dubina
Kladeruby, Moravia:
1. Jakub Gerla, 1844-1892, Dubina
Krezanov u Velkeho Mezirici, Moravia:
1. Marie Trefny, 1866-1898, Ammannsville
Lhotka, Moravia:
1. Apolena Kuchar, 1875-1884, Dubina
Lichnov, Moravia:
1. Rosina Holub, 1836-1908, Ammannsville
2. Rozina (Rek) Stos, 1840-1908, Dubina
3. Frantisek [Tichavsky], 1819-1887, Dubina
4. Anna Veselka, 1840-1918, Dubina
5. Frank Veselka, 1839-1906, Dubina
Loucka pod Starym Jicinem, Moravia:
1. Ignac Mollnar, 1831-1891, Dubina
Merkovice, Moravia:
1. Vaclav Urbis, 1834-1905, Dubina
Mnisi, Moravia:
1. Valentin Holub, 1824-1916, Dubina
2. Terezie (Jurena) Svacina, c.1833-1897, Dubina
3. Terezie Urbis, 1839-1914, Dubina
Nemecky Jesenik, Moravia:
1. Elisabeth (Schram) Beier, 1825-1912, Hostyn
2. Magdalena Janda, 1835-1909, Hostyn
3. Julianna (Schram) Munster, 1822-1912, Hostyn
Nova Bela, Moravia:
1. Josef Lycka, 1854-1916, Hostyn
Novy Hrozenkov, Moravia:
1. Marie Zapalac, 1835-1894, Dubina
Olbresticky, Moravia:
1. Vincenc Miska, 1824-1889, Dubina
Palkovice, Moravia:
1. Johana Kurecka, 1841-1897, Ammannsville
2. Terezia Mazoch, 1841-1875, Dubina
3. Valentin Sasin, 1841-1895, Hostyn
4. Jan Stefek, 1837-1914, Dubina
Partutovice, Moravia:
1. Terezia Janecka, 1852-1915, Dubina
2. Marie Rerich, 1843-1896, Dubina
Polom, Moravia:
1. Magdalena (Klosel) Ulrich, 1872-1892, Dubina
Proskovice, Moravia:
1. Karel Matej, 1837-1901, Ammannsville
Pstruzi, Moravia:
1. Josef Kocourek, 1850-1883, Dubina
Rychaltice, Moravia:
1. Jan Mican, 1847-1898, Dubina
Sklenov, Moravia:
1. Terezia Holub, 1830-1905, Dubina
2. Marie Jindruch, 1839-1899, Dubina
3. Frantisek Kossa, 1828-1915, Dubina
4. Barbora Koza, ____-____, Dubina
5. Anna Kristek, 1842-1887, Hostyn
Stara Bela, Moravia:
1. Terezie Lednicky, 1839-1923, Ammannsville
2. Johana Lycka, 1857-1932, Hostyn
3. Jan Mensik, 1830-1902, Ammannsville
4. Stepan Mensik, 1863-1901, Ammannsville
Stara Ves, Moravia:
1. Apolenie Mazurek, 1846-1917, Ammannsville
2. Marie Mensik, 1840-1922, Ammannsville
Staric, Moravia:
1. Veronika Klecka, 1844-1926, Dubina
Stepanov u Nedvedice, Moravia:
1. Jindrich M. Havelka, 1894-1930, Hostyn
Stepanovice u Tisnova, Moravia:
1. Marie (Samsonova) Havelka, 1860-1936, Hostyn
Stramberk, Moravia:
1. Amalie Jurak, 1830-1910, Dubina
2. Jan Jurak, c.1829-1912, Dubina
3. Rosalie Muzny, 1860-1913, Dubina
4. Jan Najvar, ____-____, Dubina
5. Rosalie Petras, 1826-1887, Dubina
Svarec u Stepanova, Moravia:
1. Julius Havelka, 1859-1939, Hostyn
Talkovice, Moravia:
1. Anna Bilek, 1862-1891, Dubina
Ticha, Moravia:
1. Jan Cernoch, 1837-1920, Dubina
2. Jan E. Holub, 1865-1917, Dubina
3. Bartolomej Janak, 1854-1906, Ammannsville
4. Fabian Jurek, 1817-1888, Dubina
5. Marie (Peter) Kocourek, 1848-1920, Dubina
6. Agnes Kossa, 1840-1906, Dubina
7. Rosalie Mican, 1848-1910, Dubina
8. Ignac Muzny, 1822-1897, Dubina
9. Ignac Muzny, 1850-1930, Dubina
10. Josef Muzny, 1845-1915, Dubina
11. Rozalia (Drozd) Muzny, 1824-1895, Dubina
12. Rosalia (Peter) Stefek, 1845-1885, Dubina
13. Anna Svoboda, 1821-1898, Dubina
Trojanovice pod Radhostem, Moravia:
1. Rev. Josef Fabian, 1852-1886, Hostyn
2. Antonio Hajovsky, 1864-1893, Ammannsville
3. Jan Hilser, 1827-1912, Hostyn
4. Marie Hilser, 1830-1899, Hostyn
5. Karel Hrachovy, 1844-1893, Hostyn
6. Jos. Janda, 1822-1867, Hostyn
7. Jan F. Kana, 1872-1950, Hostyn
8. Karel Kana, 1852-1890, Hostyn
9. Anna (Makovy) Lidiak, 1818-1884, Hostyn
10. Josef Lidiak, 1824-1890, Hostyn
11. Barbora Srubar, 1853-1918, Hostyn
12. Marie Srubar, 1880-1900, Hostyn
Ujezd, Moravia:
1. Jan Belzik, 1852-1898, Ammannsville
Velka, Moravia:
1. Johan Brovec, 1841-1908, Dubina
Velke Kuncice pri Moravske Ostrave, Moravia:
1. Jan Sumbera, 1844-1894, Ammannsville
Vetrkovice, Moravia:
1. Cyril Jurecka, 1840-1899, Dubina
Vitkovice, Moravia:
1. Maria Barta, 1863-1927, Ammannsville
2. Marie Konecny, 1844-1914, Dubina
Vlcovice, Moravia:
1. Jan Holub, 1829-1889, Dubina
2. Marie Holub, 1834-1924, Dubina
3. Martin Holub, 1832-1897, Dubina
4. Johana (Bohac) Marak, 1849-1882, Dubina
Zaben, Moravia:
1. Karel Hajovsky, 1863-1893, Ammannsville
2. Josef Klecka, 1836-1906, Dubina
3. Frantisek Lednicky, 1841-1918, Ammannsville
Zabreh, Moravia:
1. Josef Mazurek, 1854-1937, Ammannsville
2. Julie Mazurek, 1824-1910, Ammannsville
3. Adolf Stavinoha, 1864-1941, Hostyn
Zelinkovice, Moravia:
1. Jan Habernal, 1865-1889, Dubina
just Moravia:
1. Theresie Horak, 1859-1928, Dubina
2. Jan Konvicka, 1813-1866, Dubina
3. Rosalie Molnar, 1837-1923, Dubina
4. Petronila Rainosek, 1858-1899, Hostyn
5. Jos. Stavinoha, 1852-1897, Ammannsville
Cermna, Bohemia:
1. Frantisek Dusek, 1863-1936, Ammannsville
2. Josef Dusek, 1853-1940, Hostyn
3. Rosalia Dusek, 1849-1929, Hostyn
4. Rozalie Dusek, 1866-1950, Ammannsville
5. Filomena (Vacek) Fiser, 1840-1922, Ammannsville
6. Anna Motl, 1838-1918, Ammannsville
7. Marie (Vacek) Stavinoha, 1867-1936, Hostyn
Dolni Dobrouc, Bohemia:
1. Peregrin Fiser, 1836-1913, Ammannsville
Vesmirovice, Bohemia:
1. Anna Janacek, 1867-1933, Ammannsville
just Bohemia:
1. Rev. Jos. M. Hynek, 1867-1919, Hostyn
Dobra, Silesia:
Veronika Vrana, 1829-1896, Dubina
Frydek, Silesia:
1. Veronika Adamac, 1850-1948, Dubina
2. Josef Kozel, 1878-1924, Hostyn
Gross Hermisdorf, Silesia:
1. Augustin Pauler, ____-1882, Dubina
Gross Kotorz, Silesia:
1. Elzbieta Kaluza, 1849-1920, Ammannsville
Janovice, Silesia:
1. Barbora Mozisek, 1842-1905, Hostyn
2. Jan Mozisek, 1863-1885, Hostyn
3. Josef Mozisek, 1834-1906, Hostyn
4. Jan Osina, 1859-1917, Ammannsville
Katerinky, Silesia:
1. Josef Kneitz, 1840-1897, Dubina
Sucha, Silesia:
1. Anton Kobersky, 1846-1920, Ammannsville
Vratimov, Silesia:
1. Marie Kobersky, 1852-1918, Ammannsville
2. Josef Tomis, 1857-1907, Ammannsville
Other European Birthplaces:
Austria:
1. Magdalena Gerla, 1837-1918, Dubina
2. John Horak, 1865-1937, Dubina
Holic, Hungary [Slovakia]:
1. Emerich Stos, 1830-1923, Dubina
Mauersmunster, Alsace:
1. Maria (Crommer) Heller, 1810-1882, Dubina
2. Placidus Heller, 1803-1882, Dubina
Radau, Germany:
1. Agnes Michalcik, 1853-1922, Ammannsville
– Robert Janak
“Dubina, Hostyn and Ammannsville. The Geographic Origin of Three Czech Communities in Fayette County, Texas.” By the Author: Beaumont, Texas, 1978.