Obituary Requests for Oxford Jnt. IA

Pharmacists

Blahnik family location map

From Polenka in the Blahnik Pocket
possibly related to the Cedar Rapids, IA Blahniks from neighboring Mlynec, Klatovy, Bohemia

I have not been in contact with anyone from this family branch.  If you are from this family please contact this editor.  This family has had no DNA panel done and we do not know anything about them other than living in the Blahnik Pocket within Chodsko in 1862.

This family is a famous Chicago Pharmacist family.  Three sons of Jan Blahnik and Mary (Rericha) Rejcha came from Bohemia to America.  Their son Jan is believed to have come to America, but it could have just been his son Alois J. Blahnik b. 1876 who arrived.  Alois settled in Oxford Jct., Jones, IA.

Two other Blahnik brothers came to Chicago from Polenka near Kdyne, Bohemia (CZ).  Vavrince (Lorenz) Blahnik came to Chicago in 1867.  Vavrince (Lorenz) was a druggist and took his first job at a German drugstore on the corner of Clark and Jefferson streets.  In 1868 he bought Dominik Tomas Korinek's drug store on the corner of Jefferson and DeKoven Street.  Six months later he moved the business to his home at 18th Street and Canal port Ave. 

Vaclav or Vencel L. Blahnik joined his brother in about 1872. Vencel L. graduated from the Chicago College of Pharmacy in 1888.  

Vencel owned the firm "V.L. Blahnik & Sons" which was located at 1835 W 45th Street in Chicago.  Lorenz died in 1889 and Vencel bought his business at 88 W. 18th Street.  Vencel continued that business until he sold it back to Lorenz' widow Marie (Tonesa) Blahnik.  She became the first female pharmacist in America.  She was successful and maintained the business until her death in 1914.

After selling the business back to Marie Blahnik Vencel L. purchased a new store at 372 W. 18th Street.  Vencel L. opened an additional pharmacy at 1733 W 47th Street.  By 1909 Vencel had one of his son's join him.  Eventually two of Vencil L's sons, Lorenz and Emil or William, also became pharmacists.  His oldest son Karel Barta Blahnik went to Northwestern University Medical School and became a Physician and Surgeon in Chicago.  Karel later moved on to Los Angeles, CA. 

It is likely that this family of Blahniks is connected with the Cedar Rapids Blahnik family because not only was the ancestral home of Polenka near Klatovy very close to the Cedar Rapids group's ancestral home of Mlynec, Klatovy, Bohemia, but we also find that Karel Blahnik was born in Cedar Rapids, IA.  Karel's WWI draft notice says this as well as the family's 1910 census in Chicago, IL.  The announcement of K.B's graduation from the college of pharmacy at the Illinois University also indicates that Karel is the son of the "famous" pharmacist V.L. Blahnik.  If we could get a DNA test done, this could confirm the connection.

Descendants of (Jan) John Blahnik  (Chicago, IL & Oxford Junction, Jones, IA)

1 Jan (John) Blahnik b: Abt. 1820 in Bohemia
.. +Mary (Rericha) Rejcha b: in Bohemia d: in Possibly Czech National Bohemian Cemetery, Linn Co, IA
........ 2 Vaclav (Vencel or VL) James Lorenz Blahnik b: August 1862 in Malo Polenka, near Klatovy, Bohemia d: Aft. 1920 in Assume Chicago, IL Immigration: 1872
............ +Anthonia Emili (Jadlinsky) Jedlinsky b: 1865 Pacin, Bohemia m: Sept 29, 1883 Cedar Rapids, Linn, IA d: Nov 03, 1918 in Chicago,
               IL Immigration: 1881 Per 1900 Chicago, IL Census
................... 3 Karel Barta Blahnik, MD b: June 1886 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa d: Oct. 13, 1964 Los Angeles, CA
....................... +Marie Hopp b: Abt. 1898 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL m: Dec 22, 1917 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois
............................. 4 Marie Blahnik b: June 16, 1919 in IL
 ................................+Robert B. Kelly
............................. 4 Carl Emil Blahnik b. February 10, 1925, Los Angeles, CA  d. August 16, 2008 Palo Alto, Santa Clara, CA
................................+ Enid Ann Turner b. September 02, 1925 d. November 18, 2000 Los Altos, CA m. Aug 26, 1947 Los Angeles, CA
................... 3 Lawrence (Lorenz) A. Blahnik b: December 13, 1888 in Chicago, IL
....................... +Rosie (Cuchna or Kolar) Kozelka b: 1890 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL m: December 28, 1920 in Chicago, Cook Co, IL
............................. 4 Lawrence Blahnik b: June 15, 1911 in Chicago, IL d; Aug 1981 Des Plaines, Cook, IL
................................+ Elsie Catherine Bubenik b: 1912 IL d: 1981  m. 1934
...................................5 Lawrence Blahnik b: June 15, 1935 IL d: September 1974
...................................5 Jacqueline Anna Blahnik
............................. 4 Edward V. Blahnik b: Feb 05, 1913 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL d: March 11, 1914 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL
............................. 4 Theodore Edward Blahnik b: Jan 06, 1922 in Cook Co, IL d: Dec 04, 1999 in Berrien, MI
................................+ Jean E. Friday b: October 10, 1921  d November 11, 2001 Coloma, MI
...................................5 Mark Lee Blahnik b: 1955 d; 1998
................... 3 Emil William Blahnik b: February 11, 1894 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL d: June 1973 in Berrien, MI
....................... +Bessie Emily Schneider b: 1897 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL d: 1958 in Berrien, MI
............................. 4 Arlene Bessie Blahnik b: April 13, 1919 in Cicero, Cook County, IL
................... 3 Antonia (adopted) Blahnik b: 1894 in Illinois
................... 3 Mary R. Blahnik b: April 1883 in Iowa
....................... +C. J. Cernoch
........ *2nd Wife of Vaclav (Vencel) James Lorenz Blahnik:
............ +Barbara Hajek b: Abt. 1866 in Czech m: November 25, 1920 in Chicago, Cook Co, IL Immigration: 1884 Per 1930 Chicago, IL Census
........ 2 Vavrince (Lorenz) Blahnik b: Dec 29, 1845 (Polenka near Klatovy) d: Aug 1889 in Chicago, IL Immigration: Oct 03, 1867 on Bark Humboldt Bremen, Germany to Baltimore, MD
............ +Marie (Tousa) Tonesa b: December 14, 1848 in Christov, Bohemia d: April 22, 1914 Chicago, Cook Co., IL Immigration: Bet. 1866 - 1870 Per death certificate
........ 2 Anna Blahnik b: Bet. 1856 - 1860 in Polenka V Klatov, Czecho-Slovakia d: August 27, 1935 Immigration: 1861 Per 1920 census Chicago, IL
............ +Frank Frish b: June 11, 1856 in Homnice Opres Trebon, Bohemia m: May 22, 1882 Chicago, Cook Co, IL d: Oct 25, 1939 Chicago, IL Immigration: 1861 Per 1920 census, Chicago, IL
................... 3 Marie Frish b: 1884 in Illinois
................... 3 Tillie L. (Otiliye) Frish b: March 06, 1887 in Illinois
................... 3 Frank L. Frish b: 1890 in Illinois
....................... +Pearl Nash b: 1903 in MN m: October 02, 1925 in Monroe, Monroe, Michigan
................... 3 Otto E. Frish b: December 18, 1892 in Chicago, Illinois d: December 20, 1943 in Proviso Township, Cook, Illinois
................... 3 Lorenz Frish b: November 10, 1894 in Chicago, IL
................... 3 Helen S. Frish b: 1898 in Illinois
........ 2 Barbara Blahnik b: Abt. June 1868 in Polenka, Bohemia d: in Probably, IA Immigration: 1884-5 from Bohemia.  m. Aug 12, 1889 Chicago, IL
............ +Konrad Ricker b: Bet. Dec 20, 1867 in Pecin, Zamberk, Bohemia m: Aug 12, 1889 Chicago, IL d: September 20, 1945 in IL Immigration: 1885 from Bohemia
................... 3 Konrad Ricker b: February 09, 1895 in Prob IL
....................... +Bessie Zika b c1895.  m. Aug 12/1916 Cook Co, IL
................... 3 Anna K. Ricker b: June 30, 1897 in Chicago, IL
................... 3 Ladislav (Laddie) Ricker b: November 1899 d: December 15, 1969 IL
................... 3 Ruzena (Rosie) Ricker b: February 25, 1906
........ 2 Rose (Rosalie -Louisa) Blahnik b: March 31, 1866 in Bohemia d: January 20, 1938 in Oxford Junction, Jones, IA Immigration: Abt. 1883 To Chicago
............ +Albert M. Lasack b: April 1863 in IA m: May 20, 1889 in Oxford Junction, Jones, IA d: 1931
........ 2 Jan or Jas Blahnik b: Abt. 1850
................... 3 Alois J. Blahnik b: April 1876 in Bohemia d: 1908 in Oxford Jct., Jones, IA Immigration: 1885 1900 Iowa Census Jones, Oxford Twp
....................... +Julia (Helena) Lasack b: 1887 in Oxford Jct., Jones, IA m: September 27, 1904 in Oxford Jct., Jones, IA
............................. 4 Michael V. Blahnik b: February 18, 1907 in Wyoming, Jones, IA d: 1933 IA
............................. 4 Helen Blahnik b: 1905 in Oxford Junction, Jones, IA d: 1906 in Oxford Junction, Jones, IA

Submitted by Paul Peckosh

"Services Are Held Saturday for Mrs. Rose Lasack, 71"
The sudden death of Mrs. Rose Lasack occurred at her home in Oxford Junction Thursday morning, Jan. 13, (1938).  She had been taken ill Saturday with a cold which developed into double pneumonia.
Rose (Lasack) Blahnik  was born March 31, 1866, in Bohemia.  When she was seventeen years old she came to America.  At first she lived in Chicago and then in Cedar Rapids (IA). On May 20, 1889, she married Albert Lasack of Oxford Junction.  The home was made in Oxford Junction where her husband was a partner in the Lasack Bros. Factory...
Three sisters survive; Mrs. Konrad Ricker of Chicago, and two sisters living in Bohemia.  Mr. Lasack died Oc. 2, 1931...

Out of Town attendants at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Antone Peckosh (her uncle)... Mrs. Konrad Ricker of Chicago (sister Barbara)...Mrs. Henry Lasack (Husband's nephew)...

Anna Blahnik	Barbara Blahnik	Rose Blahnik

family photo from Paul Peckosh

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Vavrince (Lorenz) Blahnik b: Dec 29, 1845

From History of Czech in America
Vavrinec Blahnik 1845 near Klatvoy.  From History of Czech in America by Jan Habenicht forwarded by John Kracha:  In 1866, a proven Czech druggist, Vavrinec Blahnik, settled in Chicago.  He was born in Mala Polenka (present Polenka, M.K.) near Klatovy, in 1845.  He found his first job at a German drugstore on the corner of Clark and Jefferson Streets; afterwards, in 1868, he purchased from Dominik Tomas Korinek a drugstore on the corner of Jefferson and DeKoven Streets, and in six months, he transferred it to his house on 18th St. and Canal port Ave where the drugstore has stood so far.  Upon his death 1888, his wife, Marie, the first Czech graduated female druggest in America, assumed the business.

Went by Lorenz in Chicago � appears in 1880 census

Passport description:
41 years old
5' 8"
small mouth and chin
forehead high,
hair black
eyes Gray
light complexion
pointed nose
oval face

U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 (Indexed in World Archives Project)
about Lorenz Blahnik
Name: Lorenz Blahnik
Birth Place: Austria
Court District: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa
Date of Action: 17 Oct 1872

http://www.immigrantships.net/v5/1800v5/humboldt18671003.html
Bark Humboldt
Bremen, Germany to Baltimore, Maryland
3 October 1867

DISTRICT OF BALTIMORE - PORT OF BALTIMORE

Report dated 3 October 1867.

Carl J. Gerdes, Master of the Brem. bark Humboldt from Bremen being duly sworn, doth depose and say that the following Report is true and accurate to the best of his knowledge and belief.

Name of Vessel, Humboldt
Nation of do. Bremen
Name of Master, Carl J. Gerdes
Port Sailed from, Bremen
Number of Aliens, three hundred and forty one
Number of Citizens, seven
Consignees, F. L. Brauns d Co
Owners, Wm Stisser d Co of Bremen

Columns represent: Passenger number, passenger names, ages, country of birth, last legal residence, country claiming allegiance, occupation/remarks.

1 Gg Aug Schanz 22 Germany Bremen Germany musician
2 Adelheid Schanz 26 Germany Bremen Germany his wife
3 Helen Schanz 20 Germany Bremen Germany unmarried
4 Jac. C. Hofmann 29 Germany New York U.S. of A. merchant
5 Emily Schmidt 38 Germany New York U.S. of A. woman
6* Paul Schmidt 9m Germany New York U.S. of A. her baby
7 Henr^e Focke 24 Germany Baltimore U.S. of A. unmarried
8 Henry Wedekind 41 Germany Havana Ill. U.S. of A. farmer
9* Moses Schonland 45 Germany New York U.S. of A. merchant
10 Anna Ruhlede 22 Germany Weida Germany unmarried
11 Gesine Petersen 26 Germany Blumenthal Germany unmarried
12 Elise Steinberg 26 Germany Bremen Germany unmarried
13 Carol Kalthof 20 Germany Benien Germany unmarried
14 Luise Kalthof 26 Germany Benien Germany unmarried
15 Maria Ottens 23 Germany Hasel�ne Germany unmarried
16 Maria Wettig 19 Germany Darderode Germany unmarried
17 Mar. Ges. Otten 25 Germany Huden Germany unmarried
18 Wilh^e Kindervater 25 Germany Bleicherode Germany unmarried
19 Lorenz Blahnick 21 Germany Polenk Germany druggist

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Vaclav (Vencel V.L.) James Lorenz Blahnik

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines February 21, 2006, 3:24 am
Author: Goodspeed, W.A., & Healy, D.D. (Eds.)

Vencel  Lorenz Blahnik, of the firm of V. L. Blahnik & Sons, 1835 West Forty-seventh street, was born in the village of Malo Polenka, Bohemia, Austria, on August 1, 1862, and is a son of John and Maria (Rejcha) Blahnik.   In 1872 Vencel L. came to the United States and located in Chicago. He soon entered the drug store of his brother Lorenz who had settled here in 1867 and was the first Bohemian druggist in the city. With him Vencel L. learned the drug business.   He was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the Chicago College of Pharmacy in 1888. In August, 1889, his brother died, whereupon he purchased the business at 88 West Eighteenth street which he conducted until 1891, when he sold out and opened a new store at 372 West Eighteenth Street. This store and others he conducted prior to 1903. At the latter date he opened his present drug store at 1733 West Forty-seventh street. Here he quickly built up a large and lucrative business. In the summer of 1909 he admitted his sons into partnership with him. Mr. Blahnik is one of the well-known citizens and successful business men of the city. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Bohemian Turners' society, the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a Republican. In 1883 Mr. Blahnik married Antonia, daughter of Frank Jedlinsky, and by her has four children: Mary R., wife of C. J. Cernoch, Karel, Lawrence and Emil.

Additional Comments: Goodspeed, W.A., & Healy, D.D. (Eds.). (1909). History of Cook County, Illinois. Chicago: The Goodspeed Historical Association. -(Some errors in research)
File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/il/cook/bios/blahnik306nbs.txt

Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s
about Vaclav Blahnik

Name: Vaclav Blahnik
Year: 1873
Place: Chicago, Illinois
Source Publication Code: 1924.49
Primary Immigrant: Blahnik, Vaclav
Annotation: Date of arrival in America and place where the Old Czech Settlers group met. Extracted from Dejiny desetileteho trvani spolku, Stary Ceskych Osadniku of Chicago, Ill. (History of the Tenth Anniversary of the Old Czech Settlers of Chicago) which was published
Source Bibliography: FARANO, SHIRLEY. "Some Early Chicago Czechs from the Tenth Anniversary of Czech Old Settlers, 1848-1883 Arrivals." In Chicago Genealogist (Chicago Genealogical Society), vol. 26:4 (Summer 1994), pp. 160-180.
Page: 169

Naturalization
U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 (Indexed in World Archives Project)
about V L Blahnik
Name: V L Blahnik
Birth Place: Bohemia
Court District: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa
Date of Action: 8 Oct 1883

Bremen, Germany to Baltimore, Maryland
3 October 1867
DISTRICT OF BALTIMORE - PORT OF BALTIMORE
Report dated 3 October 1867.
Carl J. Gerdes, Master of the Brem. bark Humboldt from Bremen being duly sworn, doth depose and say that the following Report is true and accurate to the best of his knowledge and belief.

Name of Vessel, Humboldt
Nation of do. Bremen
Name of Master, Carl J. Gerdes
Port Sailed from, Bremen
Number of Aliens, three hundred and forty one
Number of Citizens, seven
Consignees, F. L. Brauns d Co
Owners, Wm Stisser d Co of Bremen

Columns represent: Passenger number, passenger names, ages, country of birth, last legal residence, country claiming allegiance, occupation/remarks.

1 Gg Aug Schanz 22 Germany Bremen Germany musician
2 Adelheid Schanz 26 Germany Bremen Germany his wife
3 Helen Schanz 20 Germany Bremen Germany unmarried
4 Jac. C. Hofmann 29 Germany New York U.S. of A. merchant
5 Emily Schmidt 38 Germany New York U.S. of A. woman
6 Paul Schmidt 9m Germany New York U.S. of A. her baby
7 Henr^e Focke 24 Germany Baltimore U.S. of A. unmarried
8 Henry Wedekind 41 Germany Havana Ill. U.S. of A. farmer
9 Moses Schonland 45 Germany New York U.S. of A. merchant
10 Anna Ruhlede 22 Germany Weida Germany unmarried
11 Gesine Petersen 26 Germany Blumenthal Germany unmarried
12 Elise Steinberg 26 Germany Bremen Germany unmarried
13 Carol Kalthof 20 Germany Benien Germany unmarried
14 Luise Kalthof 26 Germany Benien Germany unmarried
15 Maria Ottens 23 Germany Hasel�ne Germany unmarried
16 Maria Wettig 19 Germany Darderode Germany unmarried
17 Mar. Ges. Otten 25 Germany Huden Germany unmarried
18 Wilhelm Kindervater 25 Germany Bleicherode Germany unmarried
19 Lorenz Blahnick 21 Germany Polenk Germany druggist (was Bohemian)
20 Emil Sander 14 Germany Baltimore U.S. of A. laborer
21 Caro Froebel 38 Germany Lichtringe Germany mason
22 Theod Rump 17 Germany Quakenbruck Germany gun smith
23 Joh Grh. Robbers 26 Germany L�ningen Germany backer
24 Elisab. Robbers 56 Germany L�ningen Germany his mother
25 Joh. Hr Schmitz 50 Germany Hasel�ne Germany coppersmith
26 Helene Schmitz 23 Germany Hasel�ne Germany child of #25
27 Elise Schmitz 21 Germany Hasel�ne Germany child of #25
28 Theodore Schmitz 19 Germany Hasel�ne Germany child of #25
29 Josefine Schmitz 16 Germany Hasel�ne Germany child of #25
30 Johan Schmitz 13 Germany Hasel�ne Germany child of #25

----------------------------------------

Karel Barta Blahnik, MD. son of Vencil (V.L. Blahnik)

1907 Graduation from Phamarcy School at University of Illinois, below

1917 WWI Draft Registration, below showing he had become an MD by 1917

Karel is described as being a medium height, stout build, and having blue eyes with black hair.  No baldness.
He lived at 1901 W. 47th St. Chicago and was not yet married in June.  His marriage took place in December 1917.

Karel was born in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1886.  He appears in the Chicago, IL census with his family in 1900 and 1910.  His daughter Marie was born in Chicago, IL in 1919 but by 1925 they have moved to Los Angeles, CA where Carl Emil Blahnik was born.  Karel died in Los Angeles in 1964.

Obituary from the Pasadena Star News Oct 14, 1964:

Dr. Karel B. Blahnik of 775 N. Mentor Ave. passes away Oct 13, 1964. A native of Iowa, he had been a resident of Pasadena since 1924.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Blahnik; daughter, Mrs. Robert B. Kelly; son, Carl E. Blahnik; and a brother, Emil Blahnik; and four grandchildren.

Dr. Blahnik was a practicing physician in Pasadena for many years and was a member of the Medical Honor Fraternity Alpha Omega Alpha of Northwestern University, member of the Los Angeles County Medical Association, California Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. Dr. Blahnik was Past Master of Oriental Lodge No 33, AD & AM of Chicago, Crown Chapter Royal Arch Masons; and Pasadena Commandery No 31 Knights Templar; and Al Malaikah Temple of the Shrine; and Past President of Pasadena Shrine Club; and member of Pasadena Elks Lodge.

Services Friday 2:30 in the Chapelof Edwards & Cummings, 317 Lincoln Ave. Conducted by Dr. Max M. Morrison and officers of Pasadena Masonic Lodges. Internment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Shrine Hospital for Crippled Children.