Port

Valentine Fridel - born February 14, 1837 - died August
30 1916 at the age of 79 years.
He was born in Moravia (CZECHOSLOVAKIA) and was buried at
Kurten in the family cemetery on the
family farm.

Veronica Johanna Kopecky born January 13, 1844 - died December 29,
1916 at the age of 72 years.
She was born in Poland MORAVIA and was buried at Kurten beside Va l e n t i n e .

They were farmers in Moravia.
Valentine Sr. and Veronica came to America in 1872 after the Civil War.
They landed in Galveston, Little Valentine Jr. was 4 years old and John was 2. Peter was born shortly after they arrived.
They lived at Komens Creek for two years in Rosa Prarilla Rd for six years near Fayetteville, Texas, all in Fayette County near La Grange, Texas.
Then they moved to Kurten, Texas in Brazos County ^IN 1882 and lived there for the rest of their lives, on the farm.
Valentine was a farmer, but could do other types of work.
farmer, he broadcast planted his seeds. As I talked to the Fridels on the farm, they said he grew the largest turnips they had ever seen and the sweetest English peas, too.
He grew peanuts and collard greens next to his hog pens, so he could just reach over and pick them to feed his hogs. They were the largest hogs anyone had ever seen in the area .
Veronica was a midwife who helped the doctor deliver babies.
When the doctor had too many to deliver, Veronica would go and deliver the babies herself.
She never charged for her services.
Several older people still living in the Kurten area were delivered by her.
She was highly praised and respected by all who knew her.
It is said that after a few drinks that Valentine Sr. sure liked to fight . He was a respected man in the community.
After a granddaughter would take him soup, he would reach way up high on a pantry shelf and get her a handful of prunes. (HER REWARD)
Thanks to Bernadette, Mary, Frances, Frank and Josephine Fridel for making the family history possible