Wenzel Kurka

  General Notes:

Wenzel Kurka was probably born in Grosslippen, Germany. Names and dates of parents and other relatives are missing at this time.

Wenzel and family came to American in 1871 with a group of friends who had decided to try their fortunes in the land of the free. They came directly to Knox County and settled in the area known as Dukeville about 12 miles northwest from Verdigre. They continued to live in their Homestead which was later called the Birr Farm, being operated by their daughter Mary and her husband Theodore Birr. Wenzel's wife Machtilda Maier died here Dec. 14, 1896 and is buried in the family cemetery located on their farm. Two daughters Julia and Mathilda are also buried there. Julia Kurka was born after Joseph and died at 14 years of age. Mathilda Kurka was born after Julia and died at 33 years of age. Wenzel died Oct 26, 1908 at the age of 79 years. He was buried at the side of his wife in the little cemetery on their homestead.


An article from "The Czechs in Knox County Nebraska" by J J Van Hoff (printed in 1938)
The Pioneer (Niobrara) October 27, 1878 issue
"On August 22, 1873, twenty five Indians visited this section and shot two milk cows belonging to Wenzel Kurka and valued at $90.00. On September 8, 1873, the same band made another visit and drove off five head of cattle belonging to Joseph Gregor, valued at $160.00 and one cow of Joseph Kurka, one cow of Wenzel Diez and one heifer of John Sedivy. On May 21, 1874, two hundred Indians were skirmishing on the opposite side of the river and about one hundred crossed to this side. They killed two yoke oxen , two cows and one heifer belonging to Mr. Hrbek and one yoke of oxen to F. Tuchs valued at $150.00.

St. James is a small town 40 miles east of Niobrara.
1873 wheat 25 cents a bushel
hogs at 2 1/2 cents a pound
eggs at 5 cents a dozen
butter at 8 cents a pound
potatoes at 15 cents a bushel.
Most of the grain was hauled to St. James to be ground into flour.

Wenzel married Matilda Maier Kurka in 1851. (Matilda Maier Kurka was born on 2 Jun 1824 and died on 14 Dec 1896.)