Political Leader. In 1888 he helped organize the first Congress of the Lithuanian Democrats in Marijampole, and was the founder of the Varpas and Ukininkas newspapers. In 1893, he received a doctor's diploma and worked as a ship's physician in the Caspian Navy. In 1905, he helped establish the first open school with Lithuanian as a language of instruction in Marijampole. At the outbreak of World War I, he retreated to Russia. In 1918 his wife and daughter were killed in Kislovodsk. In 1919, he returned to Lithuania. He was elected to the Constituent Seimas and served as deputy Prime Minister (1920-1922). Elected President of the Republic in 1926 but was forced to resign in December, 1926. He supported the Lithuanian anti-Nazi resistance. He emigrated to the USA in 1947, first to Philadelphia, then Chicago, where he died in 1950. Reinterred in Lithuania. His grave and memorial is built in the township of Mondzhgirys; near Mikalavas Wood--something like 13-kilometers from Mariampole going toward Kaunas. His urn is cemented into the memorial, which is carved from white granite. The stone carver/sculptor is Kestutis Balciunas. The memorial was unveiled and Kazys was re-interred in 1994.
Political Leader. In 1888 he helped organize the first Congress of the Lithuanian Democrats in Marijampole, and was the founder of the Varpas and Ukininkas newspapers. In 1893, he received a doctor's diploma and worked as a ship's physician in the Caspian Navy. In 1905, he helped establish the first open school with Lithuanian as a language of instruction in Marijampole. At the outbreak of World War I, he retreated to Russia. In 1918 his wife and daughter were killed in Kislovodsk. In 1919, he returned to Lithuania. He was elected to the Constituent Seimas and served as deputy Prime Minister (1920-1922). Elected President of the Republic in 1926 but was forced to resign in December, 1926. He supported the Lithuanian anti-Nazi resistance. He emigrated to the USA in 1947, first to Philadelphia, then Chicago, where he died in 1950. Reinterred in Lithuania. His grave and memorial is built in the township of Mondzhgirys; near Mikalavas Wood--something like 13-kilometers from Mariampole going toward Kaunas. His urn is cemented into the memorial, which is carved from white granite. The stone carver/sculptor is Kestutis Balciunas. The memorial was unveiled and Kazys was re-interred in 1994.
Bio by: David M. Habben
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