Bio: Cohara, Blaz & Josephine

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Cohara, Monka, Cerne, Bergant, Kokaly

----Source: Family Scrapbook

Blaz Cohara was born in Levow, Poland in 1887. Josephine Monka was born in Levow, Poland. They lived several miles apart. Blaz went to Germany around 1908 or 1909 to earn a living as there was a depression in Poland. While in Germany, the Kaiser started drafting all men in Germany. So Blaz who had a Jewish friend, got him to make a false passport to come to America. Blaz slipped out of Germany and sailed to the United States settling in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He got a job as a glass blower.

In the meantime, Josephine got a passport in Poland from another lady who could not come to the United States and she came under this lady's name.

Blaz had to give up the glass blowing job as his lungs were affected from the fumes. He changed jobs and met Josephine Monka where she was working and married her in Pittsburg in 1912. After this marriage they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Ann was born in 1913; Joseph in 1914; Mike in 1915; Leo in 1917; and in 1918 they moved to Willard. The land was all timber and brush. Nellie was born in 1921 (deceased). Eddie was born in 1923 and died of diphtheria at the age of 3. In 1925, Andrew was born. The homestead remains in the family with Andy and Mitzi liv¬ing there.

Ann lives in Denver. Joe is married to Steffie Cerne. They also live in Denver. Mike and Francine married and live in Chicago. Leo and LaVonne are married and live in Riverside, California. John met his wife in Deliver after World War II. Nellie was married to Reiny Kokaly and died at the age of 26. Andy married Margaret Bergant.

Blaz died in November, 1972 and Josephine died in December, 1974.