February 24, 1971
Bill,
I put a few things down on paper after talking with you yesterday, the best I can remember about the family. As you can see, your Father’s Uncle, Thomas Biskupovic had many children and grandchildren.
Thomas Biskupovic’s oldest daughter, Maria, (my Mother) came to America to visit your Grandfather, John White, who was her Uncle. Your Grandfather and Grandmother went to Europe with your Uncle Jim and Uncle Marko (I am not sure if your Father was born then – if so, he went also). They all went on a visit and to bring our Great Grandfather to America to live. Great Grandfather did not want to come to America without his oldest Grandchild, Maria (My Mother). Maria was too young and her parents would not let her go at that time, so it was a promise that when Maria reached 18, she could go. My Mother and our Great Grandfather were very devoted. Maria lived with John and Ann White for several years until she married. She was like a sister to your Father and Uncles, especially those nearer her age, Jim and Marko.
Maria Biskupovic (White) married James Jadrievic, who died in 1933. Maria died in 1946. Their oldest daughter, Dalmatia (named from the place they came from) married G.H. Jeudevine (now deceased). Frank, oldest son (deceased) married Annette Day (she is a R.N. and teaches at the Junior College). John (deceased) never married. James (single) lives with Dalmatia at 1616 East Bobe, Pensacola. Florida (named after the place now living) married Joseph Alton (A1) Ledkins. They own and operate Maria Motel, 4551 Mobile Hwy.
Most all the other daughters of Thomas Biskupovic went to Santiago, Chile. My Aunt Margaret Yutronic encouraged her sisters to settle there, and they went one by one, and later married. Only one sister remained in Europe, Ivanka Lulic. The parents were getting up in age and they wanted her to stay and take care of them. After she married Lulic, she remained on the family property and raised her children. It is on this property in Sutivan Brac that Ivanka’s oldest daughter, Anka Katic, has built a small cottage for the summer. Anka is the Mother of Nevenka and Florida.
Thomas Biskupovic had only one son, James. He came to America at a very early age and lived with Maria and James Jadrievic (my Mother and Father). He had small jobs at my Father’s place of business, and also at the John White store. He later settled and married in Biloxi, Miss. Much later in life he went to New Orleans where he died. He left two children, Frances and Tom. Tom died about three years ago at an early age, but left two children – one son, Thomas Biskupovic, and a daughter, Cherie. Frances is married to Luis Soto and lives in New Orleans.
Bill, one thing I want you to know is that John White always regretted changing his name. He begged my Father to never change Jadrievic, no matter what. He changed his name for business reasons. It was hard for people to call Biskupovic. In his early days in Pensacola, he worked among blacks and whites – they referred to him as the white man. So, he would just say, “call me White”, as he was having trouble getting his money on pay day. He was so well liked and educated that when he got ready to go into business, he would not have been known other than John White.
Florida
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