Adolph & Francis Vahalik
Adolph (Adolf)
Adolph Vahalik was born July 11, 1858 in what
is now Moravia, at that time a part of the Austro-Hungarian
Empire. He immigrated to the United States in 1881. He died
December 6, 1912. He and Francis had eight (9) children:
Johanna, Jerome, Edmund, Anna, Karolina, Agnes (Anezka), John
(Jan), Adolph, and Augustin. He was interred in the St. Joseph
Cemetery in Yoakum, Texas.
Francis (Frantiska)
Francis nee Sedlacek was born May 14, 1896 in
High Hill, Texas. She died June 19, 1922. She is interred was
interred next to Adolph. Her parents were John Sedlacek and
Theresa Jurena.
Adolph's Origins and Paulina Vahalik
Little is known about Adolph's birth or
life before marriage to Francis. His place of origin are known
from his tombstone and family oral history. To the author's
knowledge, Adolph never completely explained his reasons for
immigration or his parents names. No known records show his
immigration into the United States, but traveling under
another family's name was common. Further speculation about
Adolph's specific place of origin can be found here.
Adding to the mystery is the appearance, approximately the same time as his arrival, of Paulina Vahalik. Paulina married Joseph R. Filip and was later known as Paula. Her death certificate lists Adolph Vahalik as her father and her year of birth as 1871, when our Adolph was 13. She lived in Lavaca County, not far from Yoakum, which straddles DeWitt and Lavaca counties. The most straightfoward explanation, that Paulina and Adolph were siblings whose father was also named Adolph. Unfortunately no oral tradition or documentary evidence can support this theory.
Adding to the mystery is the appearance, approximately the same time as his arrival, of Paulina Vahalik. Paulina married Joseph R. Filip and was later known as Paula. Her death certificate lists Adolph Vahalik as her father and her year of birth as 1871, when our Adolph was 13. She lived in Lavaca County, not far from Yoakum, which straddles DeWitt and Lavaca counties. The most straightfoward explanation, that Paulina and Adolph were siblings whose father was also named Adolph. Unfortunately no oral tradition or documentary evidence can support this theory.