HAVEL FAMILY HISTORY

Sylvia Havel and Ed Havel.

A "Memory Lane" Presentation given by
Barbara Richmond Langley
during the Heritage Day Festival
at the First Baptist Church Silverhill
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011

     My great great grandparents were born in Bohemia. After her husband's death, my great great grandmother moved to America with 6 of her 7 children. They sold all of their property to pay for passage to America. The remaining son, Albert, stayed in Bohemia to run the family tavern. His family still runs this tavern today.

     My great grandfather, Frantisek or Frank, came to America from Bohemia in 1875. He settled in Browerville, Minn. and raised 10 children there. He was a farmer as were all his sons. Because of severe arthritis he moved to Silverhill around 1920 to be in a warmer climate. Eight of his ten children moved with him and they settled on farms south of Silverhill around what is now the Rada Road area where the old home place was. Many of the family members still live there. He died in 1931 and is buried in Silverhill Cemetery.

     My grandfather, Edward Havel, lived in Silverhill on property given to him by his father. He was the only one to live in town. The home he built is located on Hwy. 55 south of our current post office. He and my grandmother raised five children there, 3 sons, Leonard, Ivan and Raymond, and two daughters, Violet and my mother, Irene.

     I was born and raised in Miami, FL., but spent my summers here. I remember on Sunday afternoons Grandpa Ed's brothers and sisters would gather in the parlor, a special room for visitors only. My brother and I were not allowed to play in that room. They would take turns reading the Czech newspapers to each other. My mother nor her brothers or sister retained the Czech language as they were only allowed to speak English at the Silverhill School.

     My grandfather was a farmer and raised potatoes, corn, soybeans, cows and hogs. He also had a tung nut orchard close to where I live now. During WWII my uncles, Leonard and Ivan were in the service. My grandfather asked if they were going to draft his youngest son, Ray also, so he would know whether to plant his, crops or not. He was promised that they would not take all the sons in a family. As soon as the crops were planted my Uncle Ray was drafted. My mother, Irene, had to quit school and help with the crops.

     My grandmother raised chickens and sold the eggs to the feed store which was located where the fire dept. is now. I remember her saying years ago, you had to go to Daphne or Marlow to catch a boat for Mobile to pick up supplies you didn't grow or make on your own. When I was small, the feed trucks delivered to the farmers. I believe my Uncle Leonard drove one of these feed trucks. The feed came in beautiful printed sacks and Grandma would pick out the different sacks she wanted to make her dresses or aprons or curtains.

     Grandpa's sister, Blanche Heidelberg, said when they were little they each had 2 sets of clothes. Sundays after their Saturday night baths, they would put on the clean set of clothes and wear them all week. Even their underwear was made of feed sacks. The clothes were washed in a cast iron pot over an open fire. I think the same pot was used when they butchered hogs. Almost everyone had their own smoke house.

     Grandpa's sister, Blanche Heidelberg, recalls growing up in Silverhill, having picnics in what is now known as Oscar Johnson Park and being able to go with her father across on the ferry to Mobile.

     "We went to Daphne earlier, then later we would go to Fairhope too," she said. "Father would take the ferry over to Mobile to buy goods and the children would go along. That was a big event. Back then it would take all day."

     I remember when Hwy. 55 was still a red dirt road and my brother and I would walk from Grandpa Havel's to Peoples Supply. Each of us with a dime in our pocket from feeding animals, gathering eggs or my favorite thing, pulling coffee weeds. With that dime we could buy a bottled coke and a candy bar or Popsicle.

     As far back as I can remember Grandpa Edward Havel was a farmer. At one time he drove the school bus and served as a council member on the Silverhill town council.

The above picture was taken in November 1952 of the Silverhill Town Officials taking the Oath of Office after a recent election, left to right: Notary Public, W. F. Weyler, Councilmen C. Leslie Chandler, George Lundberg, Axel Rundquist, Mayor Emery Johnson, Town Clerk, Fred From, Councilmen Edward Havel and Elmer Lindell.

The Silverhill Town Officials in November 1952 at the Town Hall, left to right: Councilmen C. Leslie Chandler, George Lundberg, Axel Rundquist, Mayor Emery Johnson, Town Clerk, Fred From, Councilmen Edward Havel and Elmer Lindell.

Town of Silverhill Council banquet, left to right: Fred From, Dora From, Violet Linden, Robert Linden, Evelyn Rundquist, Axel Rundquist, Alice Johnson, Emery Johnson, Elsie Chandler, Les Chandler, Louise Lundberg, George Lundberg, Sylvia Havel, Ed Havel. This was taken during the late 1950's at Johnnie Mae's a Robertsdale restaurant.

     Grandpa Havel was on the board of directors for the State Bank of Silverhill which was located next door to the Baptist Church in the building housing the antique store. The bank went bankrupt in 1933 as a result of the Depression. As did everyone, he lost all he had invested.

    At the time this letterhead was printed, the bank President was John Mikulecky, Vice President was Dr. R. A. Hail, Cashier was O. W. Crosby, the directors were John Mikulecky, Dr. R. A. Hail, Phil G. Armstrong, Edward J. Havel, Charles Norman, Emil Moravec, and Joseph Kulicka. - Click to enlarge.

     In 1947, Grandpa Havel donated to the Town of Silverhill the property on which the ballparks and kids park is located with the stipulation that it would always be used for the children's recreation. He wanted to be sure, as the town grew the children would always have a place to play. Now his great great great grandchildren play there.

Descendants of Jacob Havel

Generation 1

2. ANNA MARIE HAVEL (Frantisek "Frank"2, Jacob1) was born on 24 Jan 1884 in Kimball, Brule, South Dakota. She died on 05 Oct 1968 in Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota. She married WENCEL "JAMES" JACOB LAPITZ. He was born on 14 Sep 1877 in Montgomery, Le Sueur, Minnesota. He died on 16 Apr 1952 in Todd, Minnesota.

Wencel "James" Jacob Lapitz and Anna Marie Havel had the following children:

1. MARY LAPITZ (daughter of Wencel "James" Jacob Lapitz and Anna Marie Havel) was born on 15 Sep 1904 in Todd, Minnesota. She died on 19 Sep 1904 in Todd, Minnesota.


2. CHARLES VASLOV LAPITZ (son of Wencel "James" Jacob Lapitz and Anna Marie Havel) was born on 10 Jan 1906 in Browerville, Todd, Minnesota. He died on 08 Jan 1965 in Itasca, Minnesota.


3. ANNA EMMA LAPITZ (daughter of Wencel "James" Jacob Lapitz and Anna Marie Havel) was born on 04 Apr 1908 in Browerville, Todd, Minnesota. She died on 23 Mar 1966 in Browerville, Todd, Minnesota.


4. EDWARD FRANK LAPITZ (son of Wencel "James" Jacob Lapitz and Anna Marie Havel) was born on 09 Sep 1910 in Belle Plaine, Scott, Minnesota. He died on 04 Mar 1974 in Browerville, Todd, Minnesota.


5. ARTHUR GEORGE LAPITZ (son of Wencel "James" Jacob Lapitz and Anna Marie Havel) was born on 16 Mar 1914 in Moran Twp; Todd County, Minnesota. He died on 09 Dec 1995 in Browerville, Todd, Minnesota.


6. HELEN BLANCHE LAPITZ (daughter of Wencel "James" Jacob Lapitz and Anna Marie Havel) was born on 10 Mar 1918 in Browerville, Todd, Minnesota. She died on 17 Oct 2014 in Browerville, Todd County, Minnesota.


7. EMILY ANNA MARIE LAPITZ (daughter of Wencel "James" Jacob Lapitz and Anna Marie Havel) was born on 26 Sep 1923 in Browerville, Todd, Minnesota. She died on 16 Jan 2013 in Waconia, Carver, Minnesota.

3. EDWARD JAMES HAVEL (Frantisek "Frank"2, Jacob1) was born on 11 Apr 1886 in Tinsworth, Iowa. He died on 06 Jul 1966 in Silverhill, Baldwin County, Alabama. He married Sylvia Hazel Sumey on 27 Oct 1914 in Long Prairie, Todd County, Minnesota. She was born on 26 Aug 1896 in Browerville, Todd County, Minnesota. She died on 24 Aug 1964 in Silverhill, Baldwin County, Alabama.

Edward James Havel and Sylvia Hazel Sumey had the following children:

1. LEONARD CLARENCE HAVEL (son of Edward James Havel and Sylvia Hazel Sumey) was born on 08 Dec 1915 in Todd County, Minnesota. He died on 15 May 2001 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama. He married Nora Mildred Newsome on 04 Mar 1946 in Escambia, Florida. She was born on 24 Jun 1919 in Pine Forest, Florida. She died on 19 Mar 1995 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama.


2. IRENE ALBINA HAVEL (daughter of Edward James Havel and Sylvia Hazel Sumey) was born on 05 Dec 1918 in Todd County, Minnesota. She died on 26 Mar 2007 in Silverhill, Baldwin County, Alabama. She married James Potter Richmond on 22 May 1940 in Dade County, Florida. He was born on 24 Aug 1916 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. He died on 10 Jan 1997 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama.


3. IVAN WAYNE HAVEL (son of Edward James Havel and Sylvia Hazel Sumey) was born on 07 Jul 1920 in Browerville, Todd County, Minnesota. He died on 22 Jan 1991 in Silverhill, Baldwin County, Alabama. He married Betty Mae Riel on 20 May 1951 in Fairhope, Baldwin, Alabama. She was born on 16 Jan 1930 in Prichard, Mobile, Alabama. She died on 08 Feb 2002 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama.


4. VIOLET OPAL HAVEL (daughter of Edward James Havel and Sylvia Hazel Sumey) was born on 17 Nov 1922 in Silverhill, Baldwin County, Alabama. She died on 20 Jun 2008 in Summerdale, Baldwin, Alabama. She married Eugene M Passmore (son of Charles Issac Passmore and Barbara M Lentnier) on 23 Mar 1941. He was born on 09 Aug 1919 in Summerdale. He died on 20 Sep 2016 in Summerdale.


5. RAYMOND CLIFFORD HAVEL (son of Edward James Havel and Sylvia Hazel Sumey) was born on 28 Sep 1925 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama. He died on 01 Nov 2009 in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. He married MYRUL INEZ WILLIAMS. She was born in 1928. She died in 1989.

5. EMANUEL JOHN HAVEL (Frantisek "Frank"2, Jacob1) was born on 12 Aug 1890 in Minnesota. He died on 08 Apr 1978 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama. He married ESTELLA K BEDNAR. She was born on 08 Jun 1896 in Iowa. She died on 20 Sep 1970 in Fairhope, Baldwin, Alabama.

Emanuel John Havel and Estella K Bednar had the following children:

1. EVELYN ALFINA HAVEL (daughter of Emanuel John Havel and Estella K Bednar) was born on 14 Feb 1916 in Browerville, Minnesota. She died on 01 Dec 1994. She married CLAUDE AUBY JANSEN. He was born on 06 Jun 1916 in McEwen, Tennessee. He died on 25 Jan 2006 in Fairhope, Baldwin County, Alabama.


2. HELEN MARIE HAVEL (daughter of Emanuel John Havel and Estella K Bednar) was born on 05 Aug 1917 in Browerville, Todd, Minnesota. She died on 22 Sep 2005 in Mobile, Mobile, Alabama. She married Frank Konicky (son of Anton Konicky and Anna Rybar) on 28 Dec 1937 in Cook County, Illinois. He was born on 31 Dec 1915 in Bellville, Illinois. He died on 01 Feb 2010 in Fairhope, Baldwin, Alabama.


3. MARGARET VIOLA HAVEL (daughter of Emanuel John Havel and Estella K Bednar) was born on 11 Jun 1919 in Minnesota. She died on 19 Aug 2010. She married Vincent Michael Gregorius Sr (son of Michael Joseph Gregorius and Lillian Anna Mae Fleischer) on 12 Apr 1938 in Cook County, Illinois. He was born on 29 Jul 1917 in Appleton, Wisconsin. He died on 23 Jan 2012.


4. MILDRED EMMA HAVEL (daughter of Emanuel John Havel and Estella K Bednar) was born on 17 Jul 1921 in Silverhill, Baldwin County, Alabama. She died on 14 Jan 2017. She married FRANK WILLIAM ENGSTROM. He was born on 24 Jul 1914. He died on 29 May 1967.


5. WILBUR EMANUEL HAVEL (son of Emanuel John Havel and Estella K Bednar) was born on 27 Jul 1924 in Silverhill, Baldwin County, Alabama. He died on 05 Jan 2018. He married ADDIE LOUISE BISHOP (daughter of Clifford McChyne Bishop and Rosa Lee Nelson). She was born in 1926 in Point Clear, Baldwin County, Alabama. She died on 15 Jan 2021.


6. MILTON VICTOR HAVEL (son of Emanuel John Havel and Estella K Bednar) was born on 06 Nov 1926 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama. He died on 25 Jul 2000.

6. MARIE ALBINA "MARY" HAVEL (Frantisek "Frank"2, Jacob1) was born on 06 Sep 1893 in Minnesota. She died on 20 Feb 1978 in Staples, Todd, Minnesota. She married William "Martin" Motl on 28 Dec 1915 in Todd County, Minnesota. He was born on 02 Dec 1890 in Lakota, Nelson, North Dakota. He died on 10 Apr 1972 in Clarissa, Todd, Minnesota.

William "Martin" Motl and Marie Albina "Mary" Havel had the following children:

1. PEARL EVA MOTL (daughter of William "Martin" Motl and Marie Albina "Mary" Havel) was born on 10 Nov 1916 in Minot, Ward, North Dakota. She died on 30 Dec 1999.


2. ALVIN EARL MOTL (son of William "Martin" Motl and Marie Albina "Mary" Havel) was born on 10 Oct 1917 in North Dakota. He died on 14 Mar 1998 in Clarissa, Todd, Minnesota.


3. PAULINE LUCILLE MOTL (daughter of William "Martin" Motl and Marie Albina "Mary" Havel) was born on 16 Jun 1919 in Minnesota. She died on 07 Apr 1989 in Stearns, Minnesota.


4. STANLEY S MOTL (son of William "Martin" Motl and Marie Albina "Mary" Havel) was born on 12 Aug 1928. He died on 28 Nov 1992.


5. FRANK MOTL (son of William "Martin" Motl and Marie Albina "Mary" Havel). He died in 1973.


6. EVERETT MOTL (son of William "Martin" Motl and Marie Albina "Mary" Havel). He died in 1995.

8. ALICE JANE HAVEL (Frantisek "Frank"2, Jacob1) was born on 23 May 1897 in Minnesota. She died on 19 Dec 1982 in Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida. She married FRANK CHARLES HOREJSI (son of Wensalaus Vaclav 'James' A. Horejsh and Anna L Trenda). He was born on 19 Apr 1891 in New Market, Scott, Minnesota. He died on 30 Jul 1958 in Foley, Baldwin County, Alabama.

Frank Charles Horejsi and Alice Jane Havel had the following child:

1. GEORGE FRANK HOREJSI (son of Frank Charles Horejsi and Alice Jane Havel) was born on 26 Jan 1921 in Silverhill, Baldwin County, Alabama. He died on 17 Apr 1983 in Escambia County, Florida. He married DOROTHY JANE BARNETT (daughter of Etta Mae Henderson). She was born on 05 Oct 1924. She died in Aug 1967.

9. BLANCHE ALBINA HAVEL (Frantisek "Frank"2, Jacob1) was born on 18 Mar 1900 in Minnesota. She died on 26 Jun 1986 in Robertsdale, Baldwin, Alabama. She married Frank Heidelberg (son of Joseph Heidelberg and Cecila Kment) on 01 Aug 1923 in Baldwin, Alabama. He was born on 01 Jul 1899 in Lipovljani, Austria. He died on 10 Jan 1971 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama.

Frank Heidelberg and Blanche Albina Havel had the following children:

1. ROBERT F. HEIDELBERG (son of Frank Heidelberg and Blanche Albina Havel) was born on 24 Aug 1924 in Alabama. He died on 01 Feb 2004 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama.


2. RAYMOND J HEIDELBERG (son of Frank Heidelberg and Blanche Albina Havel) was born on 13 Nov 1925 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama. He died on 14 Dec 2007 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama. He married LORETTA MARIE CAPLEY. She was born on 31 Mar 1926 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She died on 23 Mar 2016 in Silverhill, Alabama.


3. DOROTHY MAE HEIDELBERG (daughter of Frank Heidelberg and Blanche Albina Havel) was born on 21 Apr 1928 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama. She died on 14 Oct 2007 in Robertsdale, Baldwin, Alabama. She married JERRY JOSEPH STASTKA (son of Joseph Stastka and Rosalie Stastka). He was born on 05 Jul 1925 in Robertsdale, Baldwin County, Alabama. He died on 16 Nov 2014 in Robertsdale, Baldwin County, Alabama.


4. EMILY HEIDELBERG (daughter of Frank Heidelberg and Blanche Albina Havel) was born on 01 Nov 1929. She died on 25 Mar 2014. She married WILLIAM HAROLD DEARBORN (son of Austin Walter Dearborn and Lizzie Bell Creamer). He was born in 1929 in Alabama.

10. CHARLES JAMES HAVEL (Frantisek "Frank"2, Jacob1) was born on 31 Oct 1902 in Montgomery, LeSeur County, Minnesota. He died on 21 Oct 1974 in Foley, Baldwin, Alabama. He married Lottie Frances Marinos (step daughter of George Demetriou Marinos) on 12 Aug 1934 in Baldwin, Alabama. She was born on 12 Jun 1912 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. She died on 31 Dec 1990.

Charles James Havel and Lottie Frances Marinos had the following children:

1. WALTER GEORGE HAVEL (son of Charles James Havel and Lottie Frances Marinos) was born on 23 Dec 1936 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama. He died on 25 Aug 2003. He married Petroula Marinos on 07 Apr 1959 in Baldwin County, Alabama. She was born on 31 May 1942 in Argos, Greece.


2. WILLIAM HAVEL (son of Charles James Havel and Lottie Frances Marinos) was born on 27 Jan 1940 in Silverhill, Baldwin County, Alabama. He died on 27 Jul 2005 in Ocala, Marion County, Florida.


3. RUTH HAVEL (daughter of Charles James Havel and Lottie Frances Marinos) was born in 1943 in Alabama.


4. CAROL HAVEL (daughter of Charles James Havel and Lottie Frances Marinos) was born in 1946 in Alabama.

11. ARTHUR JACOB HAVEL (Frantisek "Frank"2, Jacob1) was born on 25 May 1906 in Browerville, Todd County, Minnesota. He died on 01 Apr 1982 in Baldwin County, Alabama. He married Elsie Rose Krchak (daughter of Martin Krchak and Eva Sagánek) on 16 Dec 1923 in Bay Minette, Baldwin County, Alabama. She was born on 14 Sep 1911 in Charlevoix, Charlevoix County, Michigan. She died on 16 Jan 1991 in Silverhill, Baldwin, Alabama.

Arthur Jacob Havel and Elsie Rose Krchak had the following children:

1. GEORGE ARTHUR HAVEL (son of Arthur Jacob Havel and Elsie Rose Krchak) was born on 18 Dec 1936.


2. ARTHUR M. HAVEL (son of Arthur Jacob Havel and Elsie Rose Krchak).


3. GENE A. HAVEL (son of Arthur Jacob Havel and Elsie Rose Krchak).