Romanas Chodakauskas

Romanas Chodakauskas (August 9, 1883 – October 8, 1932) was the Lithuanian military attaché to Berlin, a Lithuanian Diplomat in the Ukrainian People's Republic, a Colonel in the Lithuanian Military Court, and brother of Sofija Smetonienė, Tadas Chodakauskas and Jadvyga Tūbelienė. Romanas was a member of the Chodakowski noble family.

Early life and education

Žvanagala Romanas was born in Žvanagala manor, Žvanagala, Joniškėlis Parish, Lithuania, on August 9, 1883, to Antanas Chodakauskas (1850-1925) and Marija-Johana Chodakauskienė (1852-1910).

Romanas’ grandfather, Kazimierz, and his father, Antanas, leased land at Žvanagala estate, owned by the Dokalski family.

Gavėnonių Estate Within the year, the family moved to Gavėnonių Estate, Pakruojis region. The estate was owned by the descendants of Felicician Karp (1821-1880), the owner of Joniškėlis manor.

At Gavėnonių Estate, Romanas' parents had three daughters - Sofija Chodakauskaitė (1884-1968), Kazimierza (1888-1889), and Jadvyga (1889-1959) - and one more son - Tadas Chodakauskas (1889-1959).

From a young age, Romanas and the other children were raised to be patriotic and socially active. Though the family spoke Polish among themselves, they were home-schooled in the Lithuanian language and spoke Lithuanian when conversing with the farm workers.

They were taught about Lithuanian culture and kept close relations with prominent Lithuanian intelligentsia and members of the Lithuanian National Revival Movement, including Jonas Jablonskis (1860-1930), Povilas Višinskis (1875-1906), Adomas Sketeris (1859-1916), Motiejus Čepas (1866-1962), and Petras Vileišis (1851-1926).

Romanas’ parents stressed the education of all their children. They studied foreign languages, read a variety of literature, were interested in music, stressed fair-mindedness and had wide-ranging views. The parents hired teachers or taught them themselves. According to historian Ingrida Jakubavičienė, Romanas' parents were:"educated and enlightened nobles who dedicated their lives to their children, to family, to education, and to knowledge, but not to wealth."

Antanas Smetona tutors Romanas Romanas’ father was introduced to Jonas Jablonskis (1860-1930) by Romanas' niece, Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė (1861-1943).

The Chodakauskas and Jablonskis families became close and started regularly visiting each other. Jablonskis often spent summers with the Chodakauskas family.

Romanas’ father invited Lithuanian students, recommended by Jablonskis, to teach his children. Romanas was studying in preparation for the entrance exams to Jelgava Gymnasium and Smetona, being from a poor, farming background, needed the work.

Smetona had recently passed his entrance examinations for the Samogitian Diocesan Seminary in Kaunas. However, he had felt no great calling for the priesthood and enrolled into Jelgava Gymnasium instead. Jelgava Gymnasium was a cultural hub of the Lithuanian National Revival and attracted many future leaders in Lithuanian culture and politics, including Juozas Tūbelis (1882-1939) and Vladas Mironas (1880-1953), who later became Smetona's political companions. In particular, Lithuanian language and culture was openly promoted by Jablonskis, with whom Smetona developed a close friendship. Both Antanas Smetona and Jablonskis were great promoters of the Lithuanian language and culture. The Chodakowski family was soon inspired by their passion. Romanas’ youngest sister Jadvyga once asked Jablonskis, who was visiting the Chodakauskas house, “Who am I?” Jablonskis answered, “Well, how do you feel?” Jadvyga replied, “I feel Lithuanian.” “That's it!” Jablonskis exclaimed.

While teaching Romanas at Gavėnonių, Smetona met Sofija Chodakauskaitė, Romanas’ sister. A friendship soon developed between them. Antanas Smetona promised that when she graduated from Jelgava Girl's Gymnasium, he would return and propose to her.

Smetona and Sofija would later marry. Antanas Smetona would become the first and longest-standing President of Lithuania in Lithuania's history.

Jelgava Gymnasium Romanas went to school at Jelgava Gymnasium. He probably started in 1895, as gymnasiums only accepted new pupils up to the age of twelve. He stayed on until he graduated.

His two sisters also went to gymnasium in Jelgava. When Sofija and Jadvyga were studying, their mother Marija-Johana spent a few years in a rented apartment in Jelgava with the girls. Romanas’ brother Tadas, also lived with them.

Kharkiv University Romanas studied law at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University in Kharkiv. Kharkiv University was one of the major universities in the Russian Empire at the time. He graduated in 1912. He later was a member when the Daina Society was based in Kaunas.

Vladimir Military Academy

Romanas trained at the Vladimir Military Academy in St. Petersburg. It was located at Malaya Grebetskaya Str., 5, 9; B. Grebetskaya (now Pionerskaya) st., 18 St. Petersburg and had been operational since December 1, 1869. In the fall of 1914, with the outbreak of WWI, the school switched from a two-year to a four-month accelerated program. Graduates were increased from 400 to 885 and received the rank of ensign upon graduation.

Ukraine On November 19 1918, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania delegated Romanas to be the representative fordiplomatic affairs to the Ukrainian People's Republic (Ukraine had first proclaimed its independence from the Russian Republic on January 25, 1918) and Romania. His work in Kiev included agitating Lithuanian officers and helping Lithuanian citizens to return to Lithuania.

Also working in Ukraine was Martynas Yčas (1885-1914), who began work at the beginning of June, 1918. The Council of Lithuania appointed him as the representative in Ukraine to deal with the return of war refugees and exiles.

Lithuanian Army On February 2, 1919, Romanas was called to join the Lithuanian army.

The military relationship between Lithuania and Germany was crucial for Lithuania's survival. Lithuania feared both the Bolsheviks from Russia and the army of Poland. Germany, until only recently the occupying power in Lithuania, was seen as an important strategic partner.

Military Court in Kaunas On June 7, 1920, Romanas was transferred to the Military Court. They lived on the fourth floor of five.

On April 7, 1932, Romanas’ son Roman Chodakowski (1932-2001) was born in Kaunas. He was baptized at their home in the Juozas Daugirdas Apartment Building. President Smetona was Roman's godfather. Romanas’ sister, Jadvyga Tūbelienė, was the godmother.

Death On October 9, 1932, Romanas died from a heart attack. The funeral took place on Monday, October 10, 1932 at the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica.

Romanas was buried at the Old City Cemetery, on Vytauto prospektas, Kaunas - now Ramybės park. Writer and priest Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas (1869–1933) and University of Lithuania law professor Petras Leonas (1864-1938) spoke at the grave.

A memorial plaque was installed in Ramybės Park in 2018 to commemorate those who fought for Lithuanian independence.