Theresa Kobza
Born: 1897, Pest, Hungary
Died: 197?, Indianapolis, IN
Father: ?
Mother: ?
Sister: Verona Erdelyi (Kobza?) Simko, 1 more name unknown.
Married: John Bencik 1899, Pest,
Hungary
Child: Edward Bencik
Theresa Kobza was born in Pest Hungary
in 1881. Again, Kobza is probably not the correct original spelling.
Kobsa seems to be a more prevelant Hungarian name, or- it could be
something else. John Bencik told me her maiden name was Kobza,
but I have no idea as to how he knows that at this time.
There is differing information on
whether Edward Bencik was born in the United States, Detroit, Michigan
or Pest, Hungary. The 1920
Census indicates
that John immigrated in 1893, and Theresa in 1897, which would mean
that Edward Bencik would have been born in Detroit, MI, as he had
always claimed.. The 1930 Census
indicates that John immigrated in 1902, with Theresa and Edward
following in 1908, and listing Edward Bencik birthplace as Hungary.
I tend to believe that the
1930 Census is correct. If the
1920 census is correct, that would mean that John came to the United
States in 1893 when he was 17, then Theresa came and joined him in 1897
at the age of 16. I believe the dates and information on the 1930
Census to be more accurate because they seem more logical. If
anyone
has information confirming the arrival dates I would love to hear from you.
John and Theresa Bencik were married in
Pest Hungary and had a son,
Edward, who was born in Pest Hungary in 1900.
John came to America in 1902, probably
through a port in Detroit, MI. Sometime after that he moved to
Indianapolis. John must have had a decent amount of money
when he arrived, for by 1913 he owned the largest house on his block,
and ran a Bar out of the large "living room" that had a door facing the
corner.
Theresa and Edward joined him in
America in 1908, evidently also entering through the port in Detroit,
MI.
Theresa Kobza had two sisters that came
to America with her in 1908. One stayed in America and one returned
to Hungary. The sister that stayed in America is Verona Erdelyi
Simko. Verona had one daughter that I know of, Margaret Erdelyi
Smith Hickam. Margaret also has one daughter that I know of,
Margaret Berry, living in Indianapolis, IN. This information was
provided to me by Margaret Berry.
The 1920 Census
shows John, Theresa and Edward. John and Theresa were living by
themselves, probably in the apartment at the side of the house.
Their son, 19 year old Edward was living in the larger part of the
house, with his wife Ada Father-in-law Jesse Rutledge. John and
Theresa list their place of birth, and the place of birth of their
parents, as Hungary. Edward lists his as Michigan, but that is
not true. Edward was known to claim that he was born in Detroit,
MI in 1900.
The 1930 Census clearly shows
that
Theresa and Edward arrived in America in 1908. This census lists
Johns birthplace, and his parents, as Czechoslovakia. This is due
the the fact that the newly created Czechoslovakia was formed partly
from what was the part of Hungary John and his parents were from.
The place of birth for Theresa and her parents is Hungary, as in
1920. Edward shows his true birthplace of Hungary, and his father
from Czechoslovakia and mother from Hungary.
Theresa spoke Magyar and english with a heavy accent. I remember
her as being a sweet lady, but I hardly talked to her because I was so
embarrassed that I couldn't understand her. Family gossip has it
that Theresa and her husband John weren't getting along all that well
in the years
before Johns death.
Every Christmas Theresa would treat the family to home made patitsa and
sweet wine, the taste of either of which could not be topped.
Photo of John and Theresa Kobza Bencik
Below Theresa is reading with great grand daughter Dana Smith about
1959. She always sat in that chair.
