Bio: Kokaly, Anton

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kokaly, Boh

----Source: Family Scrapbook

Born on April 10, 1884, Anton was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John and Mary Kokaly. There were two sons in the family. They lived on a farm in Gorenjsko, Jugoslavia. When he was a young man his parents passed away. Anton left his homeland and came to the United States in 1911, settled in Joliet, Illinois and found employment. He was there for two years.

On May 8, 1913 he came to Willard, bought 40 acres of woodland and brush, cleared the land, built a house and barn and other buildings. Then he raised cows, horses, chickens and pigs. He then bought another 40 acres of land. Anton and his cousin Frank spent many hours work¬ing together helping each other. This was the only help Anton had. They lived about 2 miles apart. He bought his first car in 1936, a V-8 Ford.

He became a Lange dealer and would take orders for Lange products throughout the neighborhood.

Anton retired from farming in 1937. His only family here was his cousins. The cousin’s children called him (Stric) Uncle, which were Anton's happiest moments, as he was included in the family. For a time he lived with his cousin Frank and family. His greatest hobby was splitting wood and making pine chips, SO neatly piled.

Anton left Willard in the Spring of 1938 for the logging camps in Wisconsin and the wheat fields in Dakota and Minnesota.

In 1947 he sold his farm to his cousin Frank's son, Darwin. Then he left for Janesville, Wisconsin where he worked for General Motors.

Anton retired at the age of 67. Anton's love of travel was so great he made three trips to Jugoslavia to visit relatives. He also traveled throughout the United States. He was in 42 states and saw many places of interest. He would send newspaper clippings and pictures of many of the states. His stories of his travels were wonderful to listen to. He also was a great reader of books and visited his cousins family here.

He decided to make California his home. He lived there for 15 years and passed away at the age of 93 on August 31, 1977.

This information was gathered by Anton's cousin Frank and his children.

By: Ann Kokaly Boh