Bio: Kokaly, Martin Sr. & Josephine

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kokaly, Smolich, Rotar, Routar, Althenburg, Musich, Diedeck, Hintz, Ruzich, Pufko, Hartman, Ross. Plautz, Parkel, Pakiz

----Source: Family Scrapbook

Martin Kokaly Sr. was born in Moravche, Velika vas. He was about sixteen when he went to Ljubjlana to study for the priesthood. He decided he wanted to see the world, so he went out on his own and eventually landed in Eikel, Germany where he worked in the coal mines.


In Germany he married Josephine Smolich from Vrh Trebenje in 1901. His father was zupan (mayor) of the area for 17 years,

Martin Sr. and two brothers came to America where they were coal miners in the state of Utah. There was a sister at home in Maravche who died from a severe cold. A younger brother also remained at home.

Anton Kokaly, a cousin who once lived near Willard went to Europe. Upon his return, he told Josephine that Martin's home was still lived in with the large family table and twelve chairs, all roughly hewn, just like when Martin lived there.

Josephine's folks lived in a small friendly village. Her lather was the area's tailor. He drafted his own patterns and had a table model hand machine to sew with. She had a sister, Angela Smolich, who came to Utah, married. Many of their off-spring still live there. Rozalka, the other sister, lived in Austria. During World War II she, her husband and her father lived in caves in the mountains for three or four years.

The small Smolich hut, with an outside oven (for warm weather use in baking) was intact. The only home in the village the Germans failed to destroy. Rozalka and husband found their bakery and home in Nove Mesto a shambles — all of value taken away.

Martin Sr. who was a miner in Utah, decided he'd like a farm in Willard. He came by train to visit Frank. He bought 40 acres of land in a beautiful wooded wilderness. He returned to Utah to earn more money and to wait until a road would be built to his land in Willard.

A Rotar family lived in the three room log cabin, which Uncle Frank supervised the building and renting of. Rotar and others cleared the area around the house. They cut down trees which were made into cord wood and sold.

After selling our little home in Utah, we lived in a company house. When the road came to our land, we sold all but our clothing and a few other possessions. This was the first part of November that we left for Willard and the weather was comfortably warm in Utah. The journey was long and hard. We traveled all night on the Rio Grande Railroad and by morning were following the Arkansas River, going through the beautiful Royal Gorge, etc. By evening we were in Denver waiting to change trains. On the way I got train sick and Martin Jr. got sick while in the Denver Depot. After that we traveled several more days before we got to Fairchild, Wisconsin.

Our family consisted of Pa and Ma, Emilie, Martin Jr., Reinhold, and baby Edna. In Fairchild we stayed overnight in a hotel until train time the next morning.

Pa and Ma were shopping for warm caps, mittens and other warm apparel as there was lots of snow and it was bitterly cold. They also bought two large beds, cooking stove, table, chairs, and other necessary items. The depot boasted a potbellied stove which was warm near it.

We arrived in Willard. Uncle Frank was there to meet us. We got into the big sled drawn by the team of horses. It was fun to slide along the packed snow and watch the snow chunks fly from the horses' hooves; but it got uncomfortably cold. It was nice and warm in Uncle's log house. We stayed over a week and then went to our house. We had two rooms. The Rotars had the one large room. The new furniture was in place. I remember admiring a glass window that had flowers etched in it.

That winter and several other winters the deer came right up to the house. We had lots of good rabbit roasts and stews. These were caught in snares.

School was different. We had one big stove with an outer metal covering completely around it. We sat by the stove all day as it was cold in the room. We all ate our lunches there by the stove. Lunch was brought to school in metal lard pails. All grades were in one room. It was really different from the nice modern stone school in Sunnyside — one grade to a room, with indoor lavatories and lunch area.

We started practicing for the Christmas program after school. It was dark and scary when I walked home alone. There were woods on both sides after I passed the Althenburg home which was very nice for that time. It's the Musich home now. Althenburg was our postmaster. I remember the large bright moon — dark woods, hoot of owls, and how spooky it seemed.

I was teaching school in South Dakota, a one room type; but had to give it up as Martin and Reiny had typhoid fever. Ma got it later. The disease lasted a long time. Only liquids were allowed. Pa and I had everything to do; milk cows, bake bread, can foods, baby Edward to care for and also Edna.

First big job after we got to Willard was to clear more land. Early hay harvest was with a scythe. There were wild strawberries that lay on top of each swath of hay cut. Later there were raspberries, and still later blackberries, and still later hazel nuts; all very wonderful and good. A few years later it was luscious blueberries, especially near the rich family farm.

My folks built a barn and bought Diedeck's cows. He moved to Louisiana. The Rotars moved into their home and we had the three rooms to ourselves. The first winter before our barn was built, my folks walked to the Diedeck's barn to milk night and morning and to care for the cows.

Next, we bought a scary mare to plow, and take milk to the factory; although the first year we had a De Laval Cream Separator and shipped the cream. It was much easier after the cheese factory was built. There was more money too.

Mr. Hintz had a model barn and cattle. Ada Clair, our teacher, had us older kids go there on a field trip. We also went to the cheese factory to see how milk tested for its percentage of cream.

As time went on improvements were made. Our first barn was struck by lightning and burned. A larger, more modern barn was built but the milking was done by hand for a long time. Land was cleared. Huge piles of blasted stumps were burned. Piles of rock were picked and hauled off the fields while little bugs kept bothering our eyes. Larger and better machinery, larger, more comfortable homes, work made easier, better lights, better canning methods, automobiles; all led to the life of today.

Willard and its area really progressed because of the wonderful energetic, talented people. At one time Mirko Pakiz started a band and special singing group. Both could have been famous if they had continued. Our people, even in Europe are noted, as artists, sculptors, actors, musicians, writers, etc.

Eddie and Avis were born in Willard. Ed married Frances Ruzich. They now reside in Marshfield. Avis married Harold Hartman and lives in Chicago. Reiny lives in Chicago. Martin Jr. married Anne Plautz and lives in Willard. Edna married Joe Pufko and lives in Payson, Arizona. Emilie married Arlist Ross. They retired to Ken¬tucky.

The Kokaly farm had more acres added to the original 40 and a larger house, modern barn, large garage, shed and horse barn. Later, Martin sold the farm to Mary and Frank Parkel who still reside there.

Submitted by: Imilie Kokaly Ross