Anezka Kucharova

   Other names for Anezka were Agnes Rose Kuchar and Agnes Kucharova.

  General Notes:

When Anezka Kucharova was born in Suchov, Moravia, it was known as Austria-Hungary, and was under the rule of Franz Josef, Monarch of Austria-Hungary. Before 1917, the country is now called the Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia came into being after world War One which was both Czech and Slovak countries.

The village of Suchov is located in the southeast corner of the Czech Republic. The capital of the region is Brno. The village has a little over 108 homes on only road through the village. The homes line each side of the street and many of them are connected. The surrounding area is farming country. Most people have chickens, pigs, rabbits and ducks. The town has a cemetery, but no church. There is only an elementary school. There is a hospida (tavern), a small grocery store, and a bus stop. Most of the people do not have cars and use the buses to go to other villages where they can transfer to larger cities. There is a sportsman club on the edge of town where they play soccer. Both the adults and children play soccer.

As you drive off the main road (two lane) to Suchov, the terrain is hilly. You drive about for about a mile on a winding road. As you get closer to the town there are gardens on the side of the road. You can see people working in there gardens and they walk or ride bikes from town to work them. The homes have very small front yards and all have flowers either planted in the ground or in window boxes. In the back of the house's there is a court yard and have some buildings for there animals, plum tree's and a garden also. You couldn't see very far in the back yard as there was a big hill ( this is true on either side of the street ). At the far end of the town the road leads to the Austrian border which is less than 5 km.

Every summer Anezka would walk to Vienna to work. One summer she worked as a servant girl for a family. The woman of the house wanted Anezka to stay year round. Eventhough her family could have used the money, she told the woman that she would get too homesick to stay year round.

The closest church to Suchov was eight miles away in Borsice. Anezka and her family would walk to church every Sunday in their barefeet. They did this to save their shoes. Just before they entered the church they put on their shoes.

At the age of 10, Agnes had typhoid fever.

Every year, people, including Agnes' family, would go to Blatnice pod Svate Antonim (Blatnice by Saint Anthony). They would pray and pay homage to St. Anthony.

  Death Notes:

She died at home.

  Burial Notes:

(Sec. D Lot 170)

  Noted events in her life were:

• Immigration, 7 Mar 1911, New York - Ellis Island, New York, New York, USA. Agnes left home because her father had passed away. All of her brothers had immigrated to the United States of America.

Agnes came to the USA with a girlfriend in 1911. She knew other people on board the ship who were also from Suchov, Moravia. She was headed for her brother, Joseph Kuchar's farm in Oakley, near Chesaning, Michigan. In an interview with her great-grandson, Joseph Horak, ,she said "aboard ship they were the poorest class passengers, called steerage. They were huddled in the bottom of the ship all the way over. It wasn't very pleasant but they all knew things would be better when they got to their destinations. Ellis Island was like a zoo, people from all over waiting for entry to the USA." On Ellis Island, Agnes became separated from her girlfriend, and they never reconnected.

Ellis Island Record:
Name: Kuchar, Ouczka
Ethnicity: Austria, Bohemian
Place of Residence: Luchen, Moravia (trascribed incorrectly, should be Suchov, Moravia)
Date of Arrival: March 07, 1911
Age on Arrival: 18y
Gender: F
Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Kronprinz Wilhelm
Port of Departure: Bremen, Germany

According to the Manifest record at Ellis Island, Agnes left Bremen, Germany on February 28, 1911. She paid her own passage. She had $30 when she arrived. The contact in the old country was her Mother in Suchov. She was headed for her brother, John's farm, in Sugar company, Owosso, Michigan. It lists her birthplace as Suchov, Moravia. The record also lists her race as Bohemian. She traveled with the Minarak family, Martin, Katerina, Marie, and Apolonia). They were from Blatnicka a village a couple miles away from Suchov.

Although the records states that Agnes paid her own passage, tradition says that her brother, Frank Kuchar, sent her the money for her passage.

Agnes' brother, Frank, met her in New York and brought her to Owosso, Michigan. On the way they saw Niagara Falls.

• Residence, 1930, Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA.

• Citizenship, 6 Jun 1938, , , , USA.

• Picture: Agnes' 90th Birthday, 1983, Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA. Vincent Caudy playing the accordion, Agnes Caudy dancing with her granddaughter, Agnes "Dolly" Spitzley Cairns

• Picture: Agnes' 90th Birthday, 1983, Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA. Front Row: Vincent Caudy, Joseph Caudy, Agnes Caudy, Fr. Michael Kuchar, John Fox
Back Row: John Caudy, Sr., Therese Caudy, Margaret Caudy, Rose Caudy,
Anna Caudy, Agnes Caudy, Alphonse Caudy.

• Picture: Agnes Kuchar Caudy dancing with Anna Caudy Kusnier, 1989. Taken at the Fiftieth Anniversary party of John and Anna Kusnier

• Picture: Agnes with her son-in-law, John Fox, Abt 1990, Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA.

• Picture: Agnes Caudy and Anna Kuchar Lucovitch, 1992, Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA. On Agnes' 99 Birthday

• Picture: Agnes with her son, Vincent, on her 99th birthday, 1992, Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA.

• Picture: Agnes with her son, Alphonse, on her 99th birthday, 21 May 1992, Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA.

Anezka married Alphonse Pierre Michel Kaude, son of Jean Kaude and Maria Monica Dosburg, on 5 Nov 1912 in Owosso, Shiawassee, Michigan, USA. (Alphonse Pierre Michel Kaude was born on 1 Aug 1885 in Leesbach, , , Luxembourg, died on 17 Mar 1978 in Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA and was buried on 20 Mar 1978 in Saint Johns - Mount Rest Cemetery, Clinton, Michigan, USA.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Picture: Agnes and Alphonse Caudy.

• Residence: The first home of Alphonse and Agnes Caudy, 1912, Perrinton, Gratiot, Michigan, USA.

• Picture: Caudy Family in their Model T Ford, 1915. Mary, Alphonse, Magdalena Kuchar, John and Agnes. Note the crank at the front of the car.

• Picture: Willis Knight 4-Door Sedan Model 70, 1927. This car is owned by Edgar and Phyllis Smith of Charlotte, Michigan. Alphonse and Agnes owned a 1927 Willis Knight Model 66.

• Picture: Plitchta's visit the Caudy Farm, 1930s. Front: Therese Caudy, Alphonse Caudy, Vincent Caudy, Joseph Caudy, Margaret Caudy
Back: Ms. Plichta, Alphonse Caudy, Anna Caudy, Mr. Plichta
The Plichta's used to visit the Caudy farm during the 1930's. They lived in Muskegon Heights and were originally from Czech Republic

• Picture: Caudy Children, 1933. Therese, Joseph, Vincent, Margaret. Just look at those dolls!

• Picture: City Laundry, 1941, Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA. Caudy family in front of the Mangle: Alphonse, Therese, Margaret, Agnes, Magdalena Kuchar, and John

• Picture: Caudy Barn, Steele Road, Bef 1946, Saint Johns, Clinton, Michigan, USA.

• Picture: Caudy Barn after a storm, Summer 1946, Bingham township, Clinton, Michigan, USA.

• Picture: Anniversary of Alphonse and Agnes Caudy, Aug 1954.

• Picture: Caudy Family, Aug 1954. 1^st: Arthur Caudy, John Kusnier, Joseph Fox, Joseph Kusnier, Louis Wilson, John Caudy Jr., Vincent Wilson, Kenneth Spitzley Jr.
2^nd: Jane Fox, Robert Kusnier, Jerome Kusnier, Lydia Caudy, Agnes "Dolly" Spitzley, James Spitzley, Rosemary Wilson, Michael Spitzley, Barbara Wilson, William Wilson
3^rd: MaryAnn Fox holding Judith, Rose Wilson, Anna Kusnier, Alphonse Caudy, Agnes Caudy, Therese Spitzley, Phyllis Caudy, Margaret Ann Kusnier
4^th: Ellen Fox holding Mary Jane Kusnier, Edwin Wilson holding Pauline, Alphonse Caudy, John Kusnier holding Richard, John Caudy, John Fox holding Raymond Spitzley, Kenneth Spitzley holding Peter, Margaret Caudy holding Gerald Spitzley, Vincent Caudy holding Gail.

• Picture: Children of Alphonse and Agnes Caudy, Aug 1954. Front Row: Anna Caudy, Alphonse Caudy, Agnes Caudy, John Caudy, Alphonse Caudy
Back row: Margaret Caudy, Vincent Caudy, Therese Caudy, Rose Caudy
Alphonse is holding a picture of Joseph and Agnes is holding a picture of Agnes

• Picture: Caudy Family, 1962. Sitting: Anna, Alphonse, Agnes
Standing: Joseph, Agnes, John, Rose, Alphonse, Therese, Margaret, Vincent

• Picture: Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary of Alphonse and Agnes Caudy, 1972. John Kuchar-best man,
Alphonse Caudy-groom and Agnes Kucharova-bride,
Katherine Kuchar Vasko

• Picture: Agnes Caudy, Rose Wilson and Alphonse Caudy, 1973. Taken at the Sixty-first Anniversary of Agnes and Alphonse.

• Picture: Anniversary of Agnes and Alphonse Caudy, 1974. Seated: Agnes Mikulica Kuchar, Agnes Kuchar Caudy, Alphonse Caudy, John Kuchar

• Picture: Caudy Family, 1977, Saint Johns - Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, Clinton, Michigan, USA. Sitting: Phyllis Caudy, John Kusnier, Lyman Ringle, Vincent Caudy, Joseph Caudy, Alphonse Caudy, Rose Wilson, John Caudy, Agnes Kuchar Caudy, Alphonse Caudy,
John Fox, Agnes Brown, Anna Kusnier, Therese Van Wormer, Margaret Klein,
Evangeline Caudy, William Van Wormer, Peter Klein, Berniece Caudy
2^nd row: Diane Kusnier, Charlie Caudy, Laura Caudy, Jeanette Van Wormer, Kathy Caudy, Ann Rayes, ______________, ______________, Mark Horak, Larry Kusnier,
Angela Quintieri, David Smith, Frank Quintieri, Francis Klein, ______________,
Theresa Horak, Kevin Kusnier, Margaret Ann Horak holding Monica, Paul Horak,
John Kusnier III, Patrick Klein, John Schmitz, Tina Wilson, Jack Caudy, Chris Caudy
3^rd row: John Kusnier Jr., Abigail Caudy, Gail Caudy holding Stephanie,
Billie Jo Van Wormer, Ellen Van Wormer, Eileen Stewart, ______________, ______________, MaryJo Smith, JoAnn Fabiano, Maria Quintieri, Sharon Smith,
Joan Caudy, Jerry Horak, Peter Klein, Joseph Caudy Jr., David Wilson
4^th row: Rosemary Wilson holding ______________, Rick Youngs, Lynn Caudy,
James Fabiano, MaryAnn Fabiano, Jane Fabiano, Michael Fabiano, Ellen Smith, Bob Smith, Jane Quintieri, Michael Quintieri holding John, Joseph Horak, Anna Kusnier,
Mary Jane Holmes, Judy DeGroot holding Jennifer, William DeGroot
Back row: William Wilson holding ______________, Brenda Wilson
Thomas Karek holding Todd, Pat Karek, Lydia Caudy holding Eileen, Dolly Cairns,
Larry Cairns, Peter Spitzley, Michael Spitzley holding Randi, Teri Spitzley,
Elizabeth Spitzley, Chris Horak, Duane Holmes holding Laurie Holmes Cynthia Kusnier, Rick Kusnier holding Melissa

  Marriage Notes:

How They Met
Agnes' brothers, Joe and John, needed to buy a horse, since their horse had died. The man they bought the horse from was Alphonse Caudy. This is how they met. He was 8 years older than Agnes. She wasn't ready to start seeing him, and he let her know that he would wait. Other girls were interested in Alphonse, but he knew Agnes was the one. Alphonse had had a dream and in the dream the woman he would marry didn't speak his language. Agnes only spoke Czech and Alphonse spoke several languages, however, at that time Czech wasn't one of them. She said that Alphonse wasn't pushy, and he waited patiently. Eventually she conceded to go out and the rest is history. Agnes said it was not uncommon to marry someone who did not speak the same language and they had a neighbor in a similar situation.

Contributed by Joseph Horak (great-grandson) during an interview with Agnes in 1980s
"When I interviewed Grandma, and she spoke of how she met Grandpa and their relationship, she had this sparkle in her eye and looked like a teenage girl that was madly in love. It was very clear how special their marriage was."

During World War One, Alphonse Caudy worked in the Milk Plant at Perrinton, Michigan. He was sent there to work or he would be deported back to Europe. The draft board in Saginaw was convinced he was a German subject. He wasn't as Luxembourg was a neutral country. Through the help of the Bishop he was able to remain in America, but had to serve in the Military or work in a War Plant. So he worked. They made powdered milk for the U. S. Forces and he had to work long hours , 7 days a week. He was working at the Hotel in Oakley as a bar tender when the war broke out and then was sent to Perrinton. Perrinton was about 20 miles from Oakley.

In 1922, Alphonse was working for the Kerr Hotel in Lansing, Michigan. While working there, Alphonse became aquainted with Mr. Sohn, the owner of Sohn Laundry. Mr. Sohn told him about a steam run Laundry in St. Johns that was for sale. It would be a good business and he could use his family to help out. So in April of 1922, Alphonse and Agnes bought the City Laundry in Saint Johns, Michigan.

The City Laundry was located at corner of M-21and Spring Street in Saint Johns, Michigan. Currently the present Police Station stands there. After a few years, Alphonse converted the laundry from steam to electric power. It had all the washing machines, the wringer (extractor) which wrung the water out of the laundry before drying and a dryer in the basement. The main floor had a big mangle, several presses for shirts and pants, ironing boards, a big dryer, that was called tumbler for drying. The building was also equipped with a toilet, a cook stove, big table to eat meals. There was a front entrance where people brought in their laundry. They also had a pick up and delivery service. Customers included, familes as well as businesses. Laundry was accepted as wet wash or dry wash or finished. Finished meant pressing and ironing. The top floor was home for Alphonse and Agnes' family, until they bought the farm in 1928.

There were about thirty steps from the living quarters upstairs to the laundry downstairs. Therese, Vince and Joe would roll down the stairs. One day their mother caught them and said, "No more." Maybe that is why they have arthritis today.

The laundry was equipped with wringer. One day Therese was loading, but it wouldn't go around. Her father, whom they called, Pa, showed her how to even out the clothes so that it would be balanced and spin the clothes. She also helped carry a four bushel basket up about six stairs. On the way up the steps, you got to hit the pipe to let someone know there was a load in the dryer.

Agnes' brothers, Frank, Joseph and John Kuchar, would bring their big feather bed and pillows to be washed and dried at the City Laundry. They would stay all day to help with the mangle and fold clothes.

John, Alphonse, Vince and Joseph would look for change that would come out of the clothing in the strain line under the washing machines. Sometimes they had to use a flashlight.

By 1928, the family had outgrown the upstairs living quarters above the laundry. So, Alphonse and Agnes bought a farm from a Phillip Kress. It was during the Depression Era, and times were bad. The Kress family wanted to move back to Detroit. The farm was located on Steel Road about a mile East of the Cemetery in St. Johns, Michigan. It was 60 acres. Later on he bought 40 more acres right across the road from Fred Georgia who lived in town. The 60 acres had a 9 room house with attached garage, a nice barn, chicken coop, pig house, corn crib, grainary and tool shed. The 40 acres had only a barn. Our farm was equipped with a 32 volt DC power plant, which meant they had electric lights in the house and barn. About 1936 Consumers Power came across the farm and they hooked up to their power.

The 1930 U. S. Census lists Alphonse Kaude, born in Luxembourg and his mother tongue as Flemish. All of the children were listed. His occupation was listed as Proprietor of the Laundry. The census also lists Magdalena Kuchar, his mother-in-law. The value of Alphonse's property is listed as $2000.

On the farm they would kill a pig of cow and hang it up on the west porch in November, so it would freeze. They didn't have a freezer and had to use the meat by March. Later, in Saint Johns, you could rent a locker to store your frozen meat. You had a key for your locker. Sometimes they would can the meat in jars in the oven. During the summer, to keep food cold we would store it in the basement. During the winter, they would store food in a room called the summer room. It was very cool. In the early 1940s, they got a refrigerator.

For water, they had a cistern under the porch. It went down into the basement to store rainwater in it. In the kitchen there was a hand pump to use the water for washing. When it rained they had to make sure the spout on, so the water would go into the cistern. When the cistern was full, the rest of the water would go into the yard. Some people would save the water in barrels. They would use it for making sauerkraut. It was also good for washing hair.

In the winter, the children would build rooms in the snow and play in them. They also would walk down to the ice pond where they would cut the ice to sell to people for their ice boxes in the summer.

On December sixth each year, Saint Nicolaus would come to see if the children had been good. Their mother would had a bowl of wheat on the table and the children would put coins in it. If the money was gone the next morning, then they knew that Saint Nicolaus had been there. On Christmas eve, Agnes would go to church and get a special host. They ate the special host with honey. On Christmas day, John would make a big noise on the roof and the rest of the children would sit and wait for our gifts from Santa. Christmas was a special time.

There were other religious traditions that Alphonse and Agnes brought with them to their new country. In the fall, they would put leaves over the arch of the door to keep the Holy Spirit in the house on a special day.

At this time, inside bathrooms weren't alway available, but they did have an outhouse with three holes. One time when Therese had to go right away, while her Pa was in the outhouse. He was sitting there reading the paper and smoking his pipe. About 1943, they had an indoor bathroom installed in the house, but a toilet wasn't put in until 1944.

Money was scarce in these times. One Sunday after dinner, Alphonse asked his children if they wanted a nickel. He would give them a nickel if they would pull the mustard seed weeds out of the wheat field. So Therese, Margaret, Vince, and Joseph pulled the weeds. A nickel went a long way in those days.

On the farm they raised feed our livestock that included cows, pigs, sheep, goats, one horse, chickens, geese, ducks, and guinea hens. They didn't sell any crops as they had our own hammer mill which ground up grain etc into feed.

Agnes had a large garden and raised the vegetables to feed her family. She grew tomatoes, pickles, beets, corn, peas, lettuce, cabbage, garlic, onions. Her mother, Magdalena Kuchar, helped in the garden. Agnes canned most of the vegetables she grew, especially tomatoes, pickles, and beets.

A typical day on the farm started at daylight. First there were chores in the barn, year around. During the growing season, they would work in the fields when required. Planting, upkeep and harvesting when time.

Therese remembers helping Pa clean the hog pen. The floor was cement and she had to use a broom to scrub the floor. Then she would pump water from the well, carry it into the hog pen. When she was done, Pa said the pigs have a very clean pen, but it didn't stay that way for long.