The very first Brezovan to emigrate to America was 24-year-old Samuel
Sagat, a hat maker who settled in Yonkers, New York. He left shortly
after he got married, in 1888, leaving his pregnant wife alone,
claiming she was unfaithful to him. (not justified). He sent her money, though.
He returned to Brezová 1 1/2 years later, told everybody about the good
fortunes in America and on his way back he took with him a "whole bunch"
of Brezovans. (No names mentioned). The Brezovans quickly nicknamed him
Golumbus or Kolombus for obvious reasons.
Another pioneer to leave for America in 1889 was Juraj Papanek who was also
followed by others.
It is estimated that in the period between 1893-1908 there were 1,500
Brezovans that left for America. (Ref: K. Culen's book A History of Slovaks in America)
Brezovans in general did well in the new country, mainly because they were
hard working and reliable. A lot of them worked in the leather processing
industry, the trade they learned in Brezová (Garbiarstvo). Others worked in
factories, opened small shops, farmed and one family, Papanek, even opened
their own bank.
There were in total 80 families that left and never returned. They were:
From Baranec: Juric, Samuel, Ondris, Libo, Driensky, Kucera, Malenko, Golosinec, Samek,
Cervenak, Trgala, Svatik, Kostelny.
From Dolny Konec (Lower end): Makys, Pasmik (Placko), Valaska-Danko (Mudry), Babinec, Danko-Matusek,
Juricek, Nosko (Mico), Krizko, Placko(Solar), Grek(Malenka), Cablk,
Kostelny (Kolada), Gazo, Misar, Senkar.
From Rinek(main square): Michalek (Juro), Nosko, Bozik, Bzduch, Danko(Krepkech), Kostelny, Papanek
(Mesiac), Matuska, Tvarozek (po Samkovi)
From Horny Konec(Upper end): Kundo, Kvaduch(Bednar), Maliarik, Zavodny, Viskup, Ondrla, Kopecek (Kos),
Papanek (Martin-Strapaty), Vrabec, Melis, Seplak Matej, Jurza-Krajco, Kudel,
Lesak Jur, Lesak Martin, Kadlecicka (Cupkova), Holic (Jurenak), Anna Reptova,
Rechtoris, Kriha (Sas), Palko, Majercik.
From Zavodie-Zahumnie: Makycs, Baroska (Tomas), Vician (Kyrisar),
Katlovsky(krajcir-tailor), Kostelny (Tralo), Papankova (Kapustnicka),
Rechtoris (Plenkar), Zavodny (Juris), Martin Danko (Krcho)
From Zapivovar: Libo, Kubica, Vician
All of the above is from the book Brezová pod Bradlom, pages 79 to 82,
chapter titled "Brezovans Abroad" by Stefan Mosny, written in 1940.
(translation by Les Baraz)
