Mary D. Biba

Mary married Frank T. Kovanda about 1892. Frank was born on 17 Sep 1863 in Hrade?ice, Klatovy, Plzensk? kraj, Bohemia; died in 1922 in Liberty Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Frederick F. Kovanda was born on 29 Jul 1894 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 29 Oct 1968 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska.
2. Stephen Kovanda was born on 26 Dec 1895 in Nebraska; died on 27 Oct 1944 in Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska.

Notes:

The Biba family came to the United States in 1873 from Zebnici, District of Plzen, Bohemia. In Bohemia, the Bibas were considered moderately wealthy. They traveled by horse and buggy rather than by oxen and cart. Their wealth was even counted by the number of fence posts. When they decided to come to America, they sold everything and came with $1,000 which at that time was a fortune. Tomas's father, Jan, accompanied them. They stopped in Braidwood, Illinois, south of Chicago, where Tomas worked in a coal mine. After a short time, they moved by train West where land to farm was available. They settled on land on Turkey Creek northwest of what later was to be Milligan. In March of 1874, the purchased the NW 1/4, Section 3, Glengary Township from the Burlington and Missouri Railroad for $902.44. The deed was recorded showing Barbora as the purchaser. Jack Noragon, a great-great grandson now owns the farm. The Bibas were very active in affairs of the area an helped start the first church in the area now located at the Ceski Bratri Cemetery. The life in Nebraska at the time was hard and primative. Most of the food was raised, and if you couldn't raise it, you bartered for it. Many articles, such as a Meissen pitcher that came from Europe and was used in the sod house and quilts made by the grandmothers, are prized possesions of the Biba descendants. The Bibas lived on the farm until Tomas died, at which time Barbora moved to a home in Milligan, later living with son Albert and his wife Josefa in Exeter until her death. (Milligan, pp 206 - 207).

(Research):Census Information:

FamilySearch 1880 Census

Census Place:
Glengary, Fillmore, Nebraska Source:FHL Film 1
254748 National Archives Film T9-0748
Page 50
RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
Thomas BIBA Self M M W 50 BOHEMEN Occ: Farmer Fa: BOHEMEN Mo: BOHEMEN
Barbara BIBA Wife F M W 54 BOHEMEN Occ: Housekeeper Fa: BOHEMEN Mo: BOHEMEN
Albert BIBA Son M S W 12 BOHEMEN Occ:At School Fa: BOHEMEN Mo: BOHEMEN
Frank BIBA Son M S W 7 IL Occ:At School Fa: BOHEMEN Mo: BOHEMEN
Barbara BIBA Dau F S W 2 NE Fa: BOHEMEN Mo: BOHEMEN

Tomas married Barbora Urbanek. Barbora was born in Dec 1835 in Bohemia; died on 22 Feb 1916 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The 1900 census showed Barbora Biba, a widow, as age 64, born in Dec. 1835 and living in Glengary Twp next to her son Frank.