In the beginning...

Couldn't help myself with the title. Our family has been teased often regarding the Holy surname. Of course, this is my mother's name, so I did not suffer.

Our Holy family history begins in Zadverice, Moravia where Jiri Viktor (George Victor) Holy was born in 1873. I am not certain, but I believe his parents were named Frank and Marie. George came to the USA in 1888 when he was 15 years old. His initial entry point may have been different, but he made his way into Galveston, Texas. In 1896, George married Frances (Frantiska) Drgac in Caldwell, Texas. This area was inhabited by many Czech families who would immigrate from the same town and settle in the same place when they arrived in America. George petitioned the court for Naturalization in 1900 in Calhoun County. he either did not complete the naturalization process (that took between 3-5 years) or he did so in another county in Texas. I have a copy of the origional petition and a copy of the 1910 census showing the family in Calhoun Co.

The Holy's moved to Six Mile, Texas, just north of Port Lavaca. Frances' family lived in that same area, as did the Mareks (who would marry into the family later). George bought land from the Drgac's and that is where their children were born: Bennie (Henry Benjamin), Adolf Cornelius (A.C. - my great grandfather), Matilda, Vlasta, Millie, Albina, Sidonia (Sidie), George Jr, John, Arthur, and Frances. I have land records regarding the purchase.

George probably had at least two brothers that I believe were named Joseph and Jan.

The Holy's later moved to Crosby, Harris County (east of Houston), Texas. My family continues to live in Crosby today and I am the 4th generation to attend and graduate from Crosby High School. George died in 1956 after retiring. He had cancer and committed suicide to prevent his illness from burdening the family. Frances died ten years later in 1966. They are buried in the SPJST (Czech) cemetary on FM 1942.