Fraternity-Testvériség, 1969 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1969-03-01 / 3. szám

Rev. August J. Molnár:

Hungarian Landmarks And Personalities In America

Hungarian landmarks are numerous in America. Hungarian personalities have etched their names into American history.

A nation of immigrants, America in colonial days, in the nineteenth century, and in our century has beckoned and drawn the youthful, the adventurer, the talented, the idealist, the hardworking, and the pioneer Hungarian to these shores. Their sons and daughters today are leaders in commerce, industry, research, the performing and creative arts, sports, and Christian service.

Colonel-Commandant Michael de Kovats came to America from Hungary to help George Washington and the cause of the thirteen colonies. He came armed with a letter of introduction that Benjamin Franklin had written in Paris. This gallant officer became the drill- master of Washington’s cavalry. He fought brilliantly in numerous engagements against the British in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and finally in South Carolina. In 1779 at Charleston, South Carolina, Colonel Kovats gave his life for the cause enunciated in the Declaration of Independence. Today, the drill field at the famous Citadel Military Academy in Charleston is named in his honor as is a major highway in Soutli Carolina.

In 1851-52 the visit of the great governor of Hungary, Louis Kossuth, inspired the American population for the cause of liberty and freedom in Hungary and in the world. Longfellow, Emerson, Beecher, Greely, and Thoreau spoke and wrote about Kossuth: of how America and they were moved by the eloquent orator, the stirring patriot, and the eminent statesman, who spoke of and pleaded for freedom, liberty, and human rights. So great was Kossuth’s influence upon the American public that babies were named after him, songs were written about him, the territory lying west of Fort Dodge in Iowa was named Kossuth County in 1852, and even Kossuth’s hat was reproduced and sold in New York City as a “new style.” The cause of liberty stirred the hearts of all Americans as he delivered his address in Shakespearean English before the joint Houses of Congress. He was the second foreign dignitary afforded this honor by our young nation. Today, Kossuth County in Iowa remains a landmark and tribute to this great figure from Hungarian history, who made such a vibrant personal impact upon American life in the middle of the nineteenth century.

Hungarian-born Colonel August Haraszthy founded and established the town known today as Sauk City, Wisconsin. He had named it Haraszthyville. From there he moved on to California in the 1850’s where today he is revered as the “father” of the California viticulture—grape—industry. Outside of Sonoma, California, the Buena Vista vineyards and wine cellars of Haraszthy remain to attest to the important role he 12

played in the history of Californian commerce, agriculture, and politics.

For the period 1861-65 Edmund Vasvary’s book, Lincoln s Hungarian Heroes, describes the participation of Hungarians in the cause of saving the Union.

In 1890, 1900, 1910 immigrants from Hungary came by the tens of thousands to work in mills, shops, coal mines, and on farms. All dreamed of a better life either here or in their native land. Churches were built. Many of our congregations now are celebrating anniversaries that commemorate these last 60, 75, or 80 years.

From these Magyar Reformed congregations have come sons and daughters who have brought honor to the name of their parents and to their kith and kin. Their contribution to American life is measured by the honors and responsibilities their colleagues and their profession have bestowed upon them. Citing a few contemporary names will begin to sketch in the picture of a segment of the Hungarian immigration in America.

Steven Dohanos, famous American illustrator and artist, co-founder of Famous Artists School, was born in Lorain, Ohio. He is particularly able to catch the true spirit of America on canvas. This he has portrayed in his cover paintings for the Saturday Evening Post. Dr. Julius P. Molnár, born in Toledo, Ohio, is a physicist of eminent reputation who serves as president of Bell Laboratories, the research division of American Telephone & Telegraph Company. One of America’s top professional golfers, Julius Boros hails from Bridgeport, Connecticut.

William Köteles in Cleveland, Ohio, is president of Pemco, Inc., and developer of the life-saving heart-lung machine used in surgery. A leading expert and pioneer in allergy research in America is Dr. Stephen M. Lockey. He resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Born in Briar Creek Township, Pennsylvania, Dr. Stephen M. Nagy, a member of the faculty of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a world-renowned microchemist.

Dr. Blaise Levay was reared in the Passaic, New Jersey, Hungarian Reformed Church. Before joining the executive staff of the American Bible Society in New York City, he was a missionary in India. The parents of the Reverend Frank A. Kostyu settled in Lorain, Ohio. Today, he serves as an executive journalist and the associate editor of United Church Herald.

The exciting and dramatic stories of the contributions of these sons and many others, who are the offspring of the Magyar Reformed Churches in America, will be told in a series of articles during the coming months. Thus, we shall also seek to honor and to take cognizance of the foundations of faith upon which their lives and ours, and those of our forebearers have been founded.