Alexandar David Opiela

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: L832-C9Y
• Census: 1 Jun 1900, Karnes Co., Texas

Notes:

OBITUARY:Alexander D. Opiela, 94, of Corpus Christi, died on May 5, 1989. Mr. Opiela was born December 11, 1894 in Cestochowa, Karnes County, Texas. In the years from 1907 to 1912, he attended the San Antonio Catholic Theological Seminary in San Antonio, Sacred Heart College in Oklahoma, St. Benedict's College in Louisiana, and Sts. Cyril and Mehodius Seminary in Michigan. After attending business college and working in a general store near his home, he taught at St. John's Catholic School in the Clear Creek Community near Yorktown for two years. In 1917, Mr. Opiela married Helen P. Janysek of Yorktown and settled in Falls City. In that year, he began as assistant bookkeeper at the Schulz Mercantile Co. in Falls City, and a year later, transferred to the Falls City Nation Bank. During his 53 years at the bank, he progressed through the positions of teller, bookkeeper, cashier, vice-president and cashier, and presidant of the bank. In 1971, he retired and continued to live in Fass City until 1980, when he moved to Corpus Christi, and became a member of the Most Precious Blood Parish. Mr. Opiela was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church, a co-founder of the Falls City Council of the Knights of Columbus. Between 1923 and his retirement, Mr. Opiela had served in every office in the organization. He had a lifelong love of wildflowers, gardening, and walking in Texas mesquite pastures. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Helen Opiela; daughter, Lynn Back of Daly City, California; sons, James B. Opiela of Corpus Christ and Alex D. Opiela, Jr. of Austin; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 1989 at the Everhart Chapel. Requiem Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 8, 1989 at Most Precious Blood Church, Corpus Christi. Burial will be at 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Falls City. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Michael Opiela, Robert Opiela, Bernard Opiela, Anthony Opiela, David Opiela, Peter Opiela, John Opiela, and Matthew Opiela.

Alexandar married Helen P. Janysek in 1917. Helen was born on 29 Sep 1893; died on 1 Jan 1990; was buried on 4 Jan 1990 in Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Falls City, Karnes Co., Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Evangeline "Lynn" Opiela
2. James Bernard Opiela was born on 17 Mar 1924 in Falls City, Karnes Co., Texas; died on 2 May 2013 in Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., Texas; was buried in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., Texas.
3. Bernadette Opiela was born on 17 Aug 1926 in Karnes Co., Texas; died on 30 May 1930 in Karnes Co., Texas; was buried in Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Falls City, Karnes Co., Texas.
4. Alexandar D. Opiela, Jr.

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KPW6-6HP
• Census: 1 Jun 1900, Karnes Co., Texas

Meclchoir married Mary Krawietz on 9 Jul 1880. Mary was born in Aug 1857 in Texas; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KPW6-KZ8
• Census: 1 Jun 1900, Karnes Co., Texas

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mikolaj Opiela
• FamilySearch ID: KX4G-W4P
• Military: 1830 OR 1848, Preußen, Germany; Prussian Military
• Immigration: 1856, Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas
• Emigration: Abt 1 Apr 1856, Kreis Rosenberg, Oppeln Silesia, Prussia
• Census: 1 Jun 1860, Karnes Co., Texas

Notes:

MILITARY: Mikolaj Opiela fought valiantly in the military from 1830-1848, and for his valor, he was granted vast woodlands and forests in Upper Silesia.

PLACE: Gruenwald, Kr. Rosenberg, Oppeln, Silesia, Prussia is now know as Borowiany, powiat Olesno, Poland. Foehrendorf, Kr. Rosenberg, Oppeln, Silesia is now known as Zebrowice, powiat Olesno, Poland.

EMIGRATION-IMMIGRATION: Left from port of Bremen on or about 01 Apr 1856. Possibly on the ship WESSER which sailed on 07 Apr 1856 and landed at Galveston, Texas on 03 Jun 1856.

BIOGRAPHY: For his military valor, Mikolaj was granted vast woodlands and forests and as a large land owner, the title of Baron. Later the Prussian Government pressured him for the right of way for a railroad through his woodlands. Incensed by the idea of giving up his land and seeing it destroyed, he took the issue to court. He lost his court case. Saddened by the loss of the land he treasured, his financial loss in defending it, and the sudden death of his twelve remaining cattle, the family made the decision to come to Texas. The remaining land was divided or sold among relatives and friends. Descendants of Mikolaj's brother still live on the homestead. The family first went to Toczek, where they were given permission by the Prussian government to emigrate. They then went to Warsaw where they took a train to Bremen. The family left Bremen on or about 01 Apr 1856 and probably landed in Galveston, Texas in June 1856. The passage was 37 gold thalers per person ten years or older. With proof of age, children under ten required only 32 thalers. Since the family did not come to Texas as part of a colonization group, they were not limited to one trunk for their possessions. Once in Galveston, they boarded a smaller vessel to Indianola. From Indianola to Panna Maria, Texas the family traveled by oxcart. Family tradition states that Benito Lopez, a cartman at the time, transported the Opiela family and their possessions to Panna Maria. This encounter later resulted in the marriage of Benito Lopez and Mikolaj's oldest daughter Karolina.

According to family tradition, Nicolaus was one of three brothers and a sister that emigrated to Texas in 1856. They settled in Panna Maria, Texas. The brothers were watchmakers and repaired jewlery in Prussia. Relatives still reside in Skrzydlowice, Poland (near Opole).

Mikolaj married Josapha Honza about 1834 in Foehrendorf, Oppeln Silesia, Prussia. Josapha was born on 18 Mar 1815 in Prussia; died on 18 Dec 1892 in Panna Maria, Karnes Co., Texas; was buried in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Panna Maria, Karnes Co., Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KX4G-W4R
• Census: 1 Jun 1860, Karnes Co., Texas
• Census: 1 Jun 1880, Karnes Co., Texas

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KX41-NS7