KUBICEK Chicago Timeline 1854-1915

Research note by Wesley Johnston - Begun 12 Jul 2021 - Last updated 13 Jul 2021

https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/12627773/person/132305122841/media/6cc777ca-1ab3-4511-80cd-89177d18e653

NOTE ON THE SURNAME: In Czech, the surname is spelled KUBIČEK, with a haček over the c so that it is pronounced like ch in church. Thus the original pronounciation was pronounced like the English spelling Koobichek. But in the US, the pronunciation became like Cue-bisek. The surname is spelled KUBICEK for the rest of this note, but the original Czech spelling must be kept in mind.

Overview

Four Kubicek brothers (Albert, James, Fred and Teofil/Duffy) came to Chicago in 1854 (Albert and the infant Teofil/Duffy) and 1855 (James), according to the 1900 census (have not yet found Fred's arrival year). The Chicago 1867 and 1875 City Directories are key to the family's interconnection, since they each show three of the brothers living together.

It seems likely that they came with their parents in 1854, but that has yet to be determined. Their parents are not yet known. But their parents were definitely NOT the Nebraska KUBICEK couple cited in some online family trees that include Teofil/Duffy as a member of that Nebraska family. Once I have obtained the Chicago "Denni Hlasetel"obituaries for them and identified their place of origin in Bohemia, I will be able to find their records in Bohemia that will give the names of their parents.

1854-1855

23 Aug 1854 - Teofil is born in Bohemia, based (for the month and year) on the 1900 census and (for the full birthdate) the family tree of a relative.

1854 - Albert (who was probably Vojtech in Czech and was born May 1841 per the 1900 census) and Teofil arrive in the United States, per the 1900 census.

1855 - James (who was probably Vaclav in Czecn and was born Apr 1847 per the 1900 census) arrives in the United States, per the 1900 census.

During these years, Albert was 13-14, James was 7-8, and Teofil was 0-1.

1862-1863

1862 - Albert marries Katerina (maiden name probably HOUBY or HRUBY based on birth record of son Albert Jr), per the 1900 census showing them married 38 years. 1862 is also the year Katerina came to the US, per the 1910 census (although the 1900 census shows 1864). So, it is not clear whether Albert went back to Bohemia and married Katerina there and then brought her to the US or whether she came to the US and married Albert there.

1862-1863 - Albert and James serve in the US Navy aboard the USS Michigan with the rank of Seaman, per their Civil War Pension Records. (The dates 1862-1863 are only shown on James' pension record.)

During these years, Albert was 21-22, James was 15-16, and Teofil was 8-9.

1880

The 1880 Census has James' family at 100 Bunker Street. Duffy is included in the household and explicitly identified as James' brother. James is a Musician, age 33, and wife Amelie is 24. Their children are Amelie (4), Mary (2) and Ida (1/12, born in May). Duffy is a Musician, age 19. Also in the house is James' sister-in-law (presumably Amelie's sister) Lena HICKMAN (18, single). (URL:  )

On the prior page of the census is a boarder named Martin KUBICEK, I do not yet have any further infromation about him.