In the spring of 1866, four years before Peter Roman Balaun was born, his parents and 6 of his siblings had left their home in Klattan, Bohemia and traveled to Bergen, Norway, where they boarded a ship called "Anna" bound for Canada. A new brother, Albert, was born on the ship. Tragically, 2-year-old sister, Karoline, did not survive the voyage and was buried at sea. Arriving in Canada, the family soon moved to Allegheny County, PA, where Peter was born. When Peter was about 5 years old, the family settled in Ada, Ottawa County, KS. First they built a small stone dwelling and later a fine wood frame limestone house. Joseph was a highly skilled carpenter and mason. Young Peter grew up acquiring his father's skills by helping him construct buildings and establish the farm.
Peter and Anna Matous Balaun made the small stone house their home when they were married about 1893. Sadly, Anna died young, leaving Peter with 5 children, ages 4-19. Peter sold the family farm and moved with his children to Salina to provide greater educational opportunity. He bought a well-situated farm in southeast Salina and took a job at nearby Kansas Wesleyan University where, for the next 19 years, he oversaw maintenance of the physical plant as well as new constructions including the football stadium.
His eldest son, Arthur, and his wife Helen operated the farm and grew their own family as well.
His daughter, Anna, studied at KWU and went on to graduate work in Kansas and Colorado, developing educational programs and a teaching career in Home Economics.
Ellis, while attending Salina High School and KWU, worked with Peter building and restoring homes in Salina. He earned a Degree in Industrial Arts at Wesleyan and performed property appraisals for real estate companies and bankers.
Laura married John Howell and dedicated herself to raising their 3 children in Salina.
Harry also established a family of his own and was a valuable contributor to several Salina businesses. He enriched the lives of everyone around him with his spirit and exceptional talent for music.
Peter had always had a close relationship with his brother, Albert, a few years older. Albert had ended up moving to Prague, Oklahoma, where he died in 1932. In 1935, Peter, with his children now adults situated in Salina, Kansas, moved to Oklahoma and married Albert's widow, Mary Spevacek Balaun.
Peter died in Salina in 1941 and was buried at Bohemian National Cemetery in Ada, KS. Mary lived with her adopted daughter, Helen (Bouda) Carter, in Colorado until her death in 1964. She is buried with Albert in Prague Cemetery, Lincoln County, OK.
Peter and Anna Matous Balaun made the small stone house their home when they were married about 1893. Sadly, Anna died young, leaving Peter with 5 children, ages 4-19. Peter sold the family farm and moved with his children to Salina to provide greater educational opportunity. He bought a well-situated farm in southeast Salina and took a job at nearby Kansas Wesleyan University where, for the next 19 years, he oversaw maintenance of the physical plant as well as new constructions including the football stadium.
His eldest son, Arthur, and his wife Helen operated the farm and grew their own family as well.
His daughter, Anna, studied at KWU and went on to graduate work in Kansas and Colorado, developing educational programs and a teaching career in Home Economics.
Ellis, while attending Salina High School and KWU, worked with Peter building and restoring homes in Salina. He earned a Degree in Industrial Arts at Wesleyan and performed property appraisals for real estate companies and bankers.
Laura married John Howell and dedicated herself to raising their 3 children in Salina.
Harry also established a family of his own and was a valuable contributor to several Salina businesses. He enriched the lives of everyone around him with his spirit and exceptional talent for music.
Peter had always had a close relationship with his brother, Albert, a few years older. Albert had ended up moving to Prague, Oklahoma, where he died in 1932. In 1935, Peter, with his children now adults situated in Salina, Kansas, moved to Oklahoma and married Albert's widow, Mary Spevacek Balaun.
Peter died in Salina in 1941 and was buried at Bohemian National Cemetery in Ada, KS. Mary lived with her adopted daughter, Helen (Bouda) Carter, in Colorado until her death in 1964. She is buried with Albert in Prague Cemetery, Lincoln County, OK.
In the spring of 1866, four years before Peter Roman Balaun was born, his parents and 6 of his siblings had left their home in Klattan, Bohemia and traveled to Bergen, Norway, where they boarded a ship called "Anna" bound for Canada. A new brother, Albert, was born on the ship. Tragically, 2-year-old sister, Karoline, did not survive the voyage and was buried at sea. Arriving in Canada, the family soon moved to Allegheny County, PA, where Peter was born. When Peter was about 5 years old, the family settled in Ada, Ottawa County, KS. First they built a small stone dwelling and later a fine wood frame limestone house. Joseph was a highly skilled carpenter and mason. Young Peter grew up acquiring his father's skills by helping him construct buildings and establish the farm.
Peter and Anna Matous Balaun made the small stone house their home when they were married about 1893. Sadly, Anna died young, leaving Peter with 5 children, ages 4-19. Peter sold the family farm and moved with his children to Salina to provide greater educational opportunity. He bought a well-situated farm in southeast Salina and took a job at nearby Kansas Wesleyan University where, for the next 19 years, he oversaw maintenance of the physical plant as well as new constructions including the football stadium.
His eldest son, Arthur, and his wife Helen operated the farm and grew their own family as well.
His daughter, Anna, studied at KWU and went on to graduate work in Kansas and Colorado, developing educational programs and a teaching career in Home Economics.
Ellis, while attending Salina High School and KWU, worked with Peter building and restoring homes in Salina. He earned a Degree in Industrial Arts at Wesleyan and performed property appraisals for real estate companies and bankers.
Laura married John Howell and dedicated herself to raising their 3 children in Salina.
Harry also established a family of his own and was a valuable contributor to several Salina businesses. He enriched the lives of everyone around him with his spirit and exceptional talent for music.
Peter had always had a close relationship with his brother, Albert, a few years older. Albert had ended up moving to Prague, Oklahoma, where he died in 1932. In 1935, Peter, with his children now adults situated in Salina, Kansas, moved to Oklahoma and married Albert's widow, Mary Spevacek Balaun.
Peter died in Salina in 1941 and was buried at Bohemian National Cemetery in Ada, KS. Mary lived with her adopted daughter, Helen (Bouda) Carter, in Colorado until her death in 1964. She is buried with Albert in Prague Cemetery, Lincoln County, OK.
Peter and Anna Matous Balaun made the small stone house their home when they were married about 1893. Sadly, Anna died young, leaving Peter with 5 children, ages 4-19. Peter sold the family farm and moved with his children to Salina to provide greater educational opportunity. He bought a well-situated farm in southeast Salina and took a job at nearby Kansas Wesleyan University where, for the next 19 years, he oversaw maintenance of the physical plant as well as new constructions including the football stadium.
His eldest son, Arthur, and his wife Helen operated the farm and grew their own family as well.
His daughter, Anna, studied at KWU and went on to graduate work in Kansas and Colorado, developing educational programs and a teaching career in Home Economics.
Ellis, while attending Salina High School and KWU, worked with Peter building and restoring homes in Salina. He earned a Degree in Industrial Arts at Wesleyan and performed property appraisals for real estate companies and bankers.
Laura married John Howell and dedicated herself to raising their 3 children in Salina.
Harry also established a family of his own and was a valuable contributor to several Salina businesses. He enriched the lives of everyone around him with his spirit and exceptional talent for music.
Peter had always had a close relationship with his brother, Albert, a few years older. Albert had ended up moving to Prague, Oklahoma, where he died in 1932. In 1935, Peter, with his children now adults situated in Salina, Kansas, moved to Oklahoma and married Albert's widow, Mary Spevacek Balaun.
Peter died in Salina in 1941 and was buried at Bohemian National Cemetery in Ada, KS. Mary lived with her adopted daughter, Helen (Bouda) Carter, in Colorado until her death in 1964. She is buried with Albert in Prague Cemetery, Lincoln County, OK.
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