A Medford citizen from over sea.
EDWARD Kakas, for many years a resident of West Medford, was born in Budapest, Hungary, August 12, 1828, the eldest son of Kokesch Josef and Szarka Teriz.
Educated in his native city, he there learned the furrier's trade from his father, who later established him in business.
On the outbreak of the Hungarian revolution in 1848 he, with hosts of other young men, left everything to join the army under Louis Kossuth, the Hungarian national hero.
Kossuth was born in 1802, and when he grew to manhood entered upon a political career.
In his teachings, which were considered very radical by the ruling powers, but were eagerly accepted by the young men of the nation, he advocated the emancipation of the peasants, the freedom of the press, and an independent government for Hungary.
In 1848, which has been called ‘the year of revolution,’ Europe was honeycombed with revolutionary ideas.
The despotism of the government, which ground down the laboring class, gave rise to increasing discontent and led to a widespread movement to bring the conditions of society up to a higher standard of justice and truth.
The first outbreak was in France, but its fires had long been smouldering throughout the land.
Hungary was the first to proclaim her independence of Austria, and Kossuth was, by unanimous consent, made the leader.
Although he had not been trained as a soldier, he put himself at the head of the troops and shared all their vicissitudes and desperate campaigns.
Young Kakas fought all through the war and gained the rank of lieutenant.
The struggle was carried on for two years and success was almost attained, but the intervention of Russia snatched the victory from the army, and Kossuth, betrayed by some of those whom he had trusted, was exiled to Turkey.
Many of his followers were executed or imprisoned and others escaped to England and the United States. Mr. Kakas was one of those who escaped, first to England
