Family Stories

Although the following stories vary somewhat, each one has valuable clues for genealogists interested in solving questions related to Mohelnitzky history in Bohemia, Czech Republic, and in Wisconsin.

Anton's daughter-in-law, Emma, told the following story in 1965 with notes added by Anton's granddaughter, Irene:

Anton Mohelnitzky came to America with his mother and father and two sisters Mary and Julia. On the way over, the father got sick and died when they got here. The mother married again and put the 3 children into an orphanage (other story--the mother died of a broken heart).

Anton stayed in the St. Francis Orphanage until 14 years old. He wanted to study for the priesthood, but couldn't study for a priest because he was not tall enough.

(Sebastian) Wenkers took him from the orphanage to help them in the store and work. Then we went out to work for himself and decided to learn the harness trade. He went into the harness business in Cazenovia, Wisconsin, in the old Hale barbershop.

He met Mary Ruskauff and married her, then moved to LaValle, Wisconsin, and went into the harness business there. From there he moved to New Lisbon, Wisconsin, and went into business there. From there they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and worked in a big harness shop there. He got sick and died of pneumonia, when Henrietta Mohelnitzky Duren was 5 1/2 years old.

They talked German, couldn't talk Bohemian.

Anton's daughter, Frances, wrote this to her niece on May 2, 1953:

"..At the age of 9 he (Anton) and his 2 sisters were sent to an orphanage, Mary and Julia. The 2 girls were adopted and brought to America and he at the age of 19 set out to look for them in America. He found them in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was allowed to see them but forbidden to say he was the brother. However, in time the foster parents told them they had been adopted and allowed the reunion. Both sisters have died since, Julia Klein & Mary Schmidt...Sometime if you would care to see the small picture of Mother & fathers wedding and the picture of dad at the age of 19 when he came to American, will send it on to you to look at..."

"...He (Anton) was a skilled harness maker. Had a great urge to be a watch maker but his hands had become to clumbsy for the fine work so he went to harness making in Caz.(Cazenovia) where several of his harnesses are still being used. Mother and dad after marriage moved to Chicago. Lived close to State St. where at that time he could have purchased Carson Pierce' (Pierial?) location for $10.00 an acre. They returned to LaValle, Wis. where your father and I were born..."

Anton's daughter, Henrietta, told the following story on April 23, 1978:

Anton Mohelnitzky came from Bohemia with his mother, to Milwaukee. His father had died previously in Bohemia. The mother got sick and had to go to work. She couldn't keep the children (Anton, Julia, Mary) and put them in an orphanage. A lady that owned a store in Cazenovia (Winker/Wenker Store) took father to work for her--harness maker. He was in St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee when he was 17--didn't stay.

Anton married Mary Ruskauff in Cazenovia. First lived in Chicago after marriage. Chicago fire destroyed place of business. Moved to LaValle (Conrad, John, Theresa born there). Moved to New Lisbon (Henrietta born there). Never wanted to be in debt. Moved to Milwaukee from Chicago. Worked at big place in Milwaukee. ot pneumonia, died. Kids couldn't go to funeral because of measles. I was 5 1/2 years old when Dad died.

Anton's granddaughter, Dorothy, heard this story from Anton's granddaughter, Joanne:

Anton Mohelnitzky (father of Anton Mohelnitzky) died on the ship on the way to America. He died at sea and was buried at sea.

Anton's granddaughter Irene told the following story in July 1992:

Anton Mohelnitzky's harness shop was located on the same side as the July 1992 Dew Drop Tavern, across from the 1992 Soltwedel store in Cazenovia, Wisconsin. Anton lived in the last house by the bridge in Cazenovia, by the 1992 sign for Highway 58 North which turns to the left.

Anton's granddaughter Merie (daughter of Mary Fastner and Conrad Mohelnitzky) told the following story in a June 1971 interview:

Q: And what about your mother and father?

A: My mother was born in Austria, she came to this country at 5 years of age. And my father was born in the United States. His father was half-Bohemian, and my grandfather on my father’s side, he was an orphan. And he was in St. Michael’s orphanage in Milwaukee, so we don’t know anything of his ancestors, if he had any brothers or any sisters. We may have many people…

Q: Your grandfather, you mean?

A: Yes, we don’t know if he ever had any brothers or any sisters, there is no record of it