ZajednicÌŒar = Fraternalist. [volume] (Allegheny, Pa.) 1894-current, 1956-07-25
Croatian Immigration
To Allegheny County
By STJEPAN GAZI, Member, Lodge 20

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The first association in Allegheny City
The first convention of the Croatan Society
uzina and his supporters called meeting of all Croas
IVl for January 7, 1894, in the Bohemian Catholic
School, Main Street. Allegheny City. On this occasion
they explained their ideas to the listeners.
During second meeting on January 13, they formed
the Hrvatsko Radnicko Poduprajuce Drstvo Starcevic
Allegheny Che Croatian Workngmen's Beneficial Asso-
citation starcevic Allegheny Pennsylvania) T. " Mu-
zna became it's first president The of Starcevic,
important political leader in Croatia gave the association
true political and national character 1t was later given
the name of Sv Svet (A Saints) and exists today as
Lodge No of the Croatan Fraternal Union of America
At the same meeting of January 49, it was decided
to unite smaller local associations into big Croatan
union.
After the Croats of Allegheny, those of McKeespor
Pennsylvania formed in their turn association named
Svet Juraj Saint George April 15 Those of Etna
Pennsylvania created their association of Svetl Girl
Metod (Sant Cyril and Methodus) April 22 and those
of Braddock their Syeh NkOa saint NichOas) Sep
tember l.
The Croats in Benwood and Wheeling West Virginia
had formed association already early April
80, 1892, following commemoraton of the Croatan ma
tiona heroes Zrinsk and Frankopan They called it Fra
ME Jospe Drustvo Francis Joseph Assocation) 1t had
been promoted and afterwards headed by Ivan Lubc of
Wheeling.
association Sveti Rok, Saint Rochus) in 1894
Guided by Muzina through his newspaper Danica,
these various societies began their preparations for
common convention. To this purpose preliminary
mtee, including Petar Pavnac Franjo Sepc from Allie
gheny City Josip zegudovc from McKeesport Bozo Co.
isovic from Johnstown and Ivan Ljubic from Wheeling
had been appointed.
The first convention of the Croaan associations took
place September 2 and g. 1894 in the Slovak Majak
Hail. 116 South Canal Street Allegheny City, Pennsyl-
vania. .s.o
Attending were the following delegates: Zdravko
Valentn Muzna Pavnac and Franjo Sepc for the
StarceVic Association, Allegheny City, Ivan ubc for the
Francis Joseph Association of Wheeling West Virginia;
Josp Zegdovc and Ignat Jarnevc for the Saint George
Association of McKeespor; Josp Subasic Petar Barbic
and Josp Bunea for the Saint Cyril and Methodus Asso
citation of Ena Bozo Gosovic for the Saint Rochus Asso
citation of Johnstown; and Anton Nemanic and Nikoa
Bukovac for the Saint Nicholas Association of Braddoc
Besides the delegates many other members took active
part in the pursuits of this convention
The statutes voted by the Croatian Society of the
United States of America read follows:
"Sec. 1. To assist members during sickness and
to assist their families after death.
Sec g. To teach and spread enlightment and
culture by suitable among the people of Gro
attain nationality in America; to promote brotherly
love among themselves and throughout the nation;
to the members to be true of their nation
and to become good citizens of the United States Of
Amerca.'1
Officially the combined associations bore the
of Croaan Society of the United States of America and
Canada The seat of it's administration Allegheny
City Pennsylvania.
At the end of the convention Supreme Committee
was elected consisting of Ivan Lubic President Wheel
ing, West Virginia; Josip Subasc VicePresident Etna;
Franjo Sepic, AccountKeeper Allegheny City; Petar
Pavinac Secretary Allegheny City; Josp Buneta Treas
Ena Board of Trustees Franjo Zbrat Josip Zegu
dovic Nikoa Bukovac Franjo Taha and Ignjat Janevc
Jury Gjuro Papa, Anton Nemanic, Franjo Moskun and
Franjo Taha. The official organ of of Society Da
nica published by Zdravko Valentin Muzina.
The convention received congratulatory letter from
the famous Croatan Bishop of Djakovo, Josip Juraj
Strossmayer addressed to the editor of Danca T. " Mu
zna 1t read
Honorable Sir,
With great JOY | heard about your intention to
form union of all Croats, benefitting already of
their own local associations, being able to do
shortly, whose aim is mutual aid, encouragement,
defense and the cultivation of noble thoughts and
tions. Thereby you will best preserve the Croatian
and most brilliantly glorify your unfortunate
fatherland Croatia May Almighty God bless you.