Hatalla
Miner’s First Name: Leonti
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Miner’s Last Name: Hatalla
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Birth Place of Miner: Brunary
Miner’s Country: Austria
Arrived in USA: 10/29/1896
Miner Information:
Leonti Hatalla emigrated to the United States of America in the late 1800's after both of his parents were killed by the cholera epidemic that ran through Europe. His only living relative was his father's brother, Michael Hatalla, who lived in Old Forge with his wife, Paraska Raydo Hatalla. He lived with them as a boarder in the 1900 census. He met Johanna Matechak, who was the single mother of Alice and Lena, who were born in Austria. Lena may have been born on the boat coming over. They married December 10, 1902, and went on to have four more children and one stillborn child (Clara). Leonti worked in the mines, and on October 6, 1917, he was brought home by the "Black Maria" and laid on the back porch of their home at 425 Grace Street, Old Forge, PA. His oldest son, John "Jack" Hatalla was only 13 at the time. He dropped out of school so that he could take over working at the mine, picking up pieces of coal. Johanna, with six mouths to feed, took in boarders and picked huckleberries to sell, so she could make money for the family to eat. In the miner's reports of his death, his name is incorrectly listed as Leo Latolla. The correct name is Leon Hatalla. When he got married, his marriage certificate was wrong, too. It was listed as Leon Hitalla. When Johanna remarried many years later, her name was listed as Johanna Kitalla. As a proud decendant of this naturalized citizen, I want the world to know that Leonti Hatalla gave his life in the mines of Old Forge, Pennsylvania. His legacy includes 73 descendants. Leonti spoke Russian, went to the Russian Orthodox Church, and had a strong sense of family and heritage.
Place & Manner of Miner’s Death: Mining Accident
Died: 10/6/1917
Birth Date: 6/7/1876
Married: Yes
Place Miner Was Married: St Michael's Russian Orthodox Church
Wife’s Name: Johanna "Juhaska"
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Wife’s Last Name: Matechak
Birth Place of Wife: Chiaruna
Wife’s Country: Austria
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Number of Children: 6
Child Name 1: Alice
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Birth Date: 3/11/1898
Child Name 2: Lena
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Child Name 3: John ("Jack")
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Author’s Name: Gayle
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Author’s Last Name: Litwiniec-Sauers
Relationship to Miner: Direct descendant: great-granddaughter (?)