Romanas Chodakauskas (August 9, 1883 â 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 SmetonienÃÂ, Tadas Chodakauskas and Jadvyga Tà «belienÃÂ. Romanas was a member of the Chodakowski noble family.
Romanas was born in à ½vanagala manor, à ½vanagala, Jonià ¡kÃÂlis Parish, Lithuania, on August 9, 1883, to Antanas Chodakauskas (1850-1925) and Marija-Johana Chodakauskienà(1852-1910).
He was baptized in Vaskai Church, by Rev. Heronim Jaksztowitch, the vicar of the church, on August 30, 1883. His grandfather Kazimierz Chodakowski (1814-1905) was his godfather. His aunt, Stanisà Âawa (née GiedroyÃÂ) (1855-1933), wife of Jan Chodakowski (1849-1926), was his godmother. Another of Romanasâ aunts, Cecilija Chodakowska (1853-1937), was also in attendance.
Romanasâ grandfather, Kazimierz, and his father, Antanas, leased land at à ½vanagala estate, owned by the Dokalski family.
Within the year, the family moved to GavÃÂnonià ³ Estate, Pakruojis region. The estate was owned by the descendants of Felicician Karp (1821-1880), the owner of Jonià ¡kÃÂlis manor.
At GavÃÂnonià ³ Estate, Romanas' parents had three daughters - Sofija Chodakauskaità(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 Vià ¡inskis (1875-1906), (1859-1916), (1866-1962), and Petras Vileià ¡is (1851-1926).
Romanasâ 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 JakubaviÃÂienÃÂ, Romanas' parents were:<blockquote>"educated and enlightened nobles who dedicated their lives to their children, to family, to education, and to knowledge, but not to wealth."</blockquote>
Romanasâ father was introduced to Jonas Jablonskis (1860-1930) by Romanas' niece, GabrielàPetkeviÃÂaitÃÂ-Bità(1861-1943).
Jablonskis was a distinguished Lithuanian linguist and promotor of the Lithuanian National Revival, who was teaching Greek and Latin at Jelgava Gymnasium. During summer vacations, Jablonskis collected information from native speakers in Lithuania for his linguistic studies.
The Chodakauskas and Jablonskis families became close and started regularly visiting each other. Jablonskis often spent summers with the Chodakauskas family.
Romanasâ father invited Lithuanian students, recommended by Jablonskis, to teach his children.
In the summer of 1895, Jablonskis recommended a young student of his, seventh-class student Antanas Smetona (1874-1944), to be the tutor for Romanas. 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 Tà «belis (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. Romanasâ youngest sister Jadvyga once asked Jablonskis, who was visiting the Chodakauskas house, âÂÂWho am I?â Jablonskis answered, âÂÂWell, how do you feel?â Jadvyga replied, âÂÂI feel Lithuanian.â âÂÂThat's it!â Jablonskis exclaimed.
While teaching Romanas at GavÃÂnonià ³, Smetona met Sofija ChodakauskaitÃÂ, Romanasâ 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.
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. Romanasâ brother Tadas, also lived with them.
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.
Romanas returned to Lithuania and settled in Vilnius. On December 16 1913, he married Janina TuraitÃÂ-JacunskiÃÂne (b.1884) in the Lithuanian Evangelical Reformed Church (Pylimo gatvà18, Vilnius). On August 20, 1914, Romanasâ first child, Miroslavas (1914-1952) was born at Topolis, Kupià ¡kis region, Lithuania, the home of his wife's parents.
While living in Vilnius, Romanas was a member of the Daina Society, a cultural and artistic society that sought to revive the national Lithuanian spirit by means of Lithuanian song. He served as the chair between 1913 and 1915. He later was a member when the Daina Society was based in Kaunas.
Romanas trained at the in St. Petersburg. The Vladimir Military Academy was a military educational institution of the Russian Imperial Army, which trained infantry officers. 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. Romanas graduated in 1915.
Romanas served in the Russian Imperial Army in World War I.
In 1917, he served in the Lithuanian Exiles General Representative Office in Ukraine, where he acted on behalf of the Lietuvos Tarybos (the Council of Lithuania).
In August 1918, Romanas was dispatched by the Council of Lithuania on a diplomatic mission to Germany to assist with returning Lithuanian Prisoners of War held in that country.
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 YÃÂas (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.
As the Germans retreated, Romanas returned to Gomel, at that time part of the Ukrainian State. In December 1918, Romanas had been absent from his post in Kiev for several weeks.
On January 7 1919, the Bolsheviks invaded Ukraine. Ukraine declared war once again against Russia on January 16, 1919. The two main directions of the Bolshevik's forces were onto Kiev and Kharkiv. By mid-February, the Bolsheviks controlled the Kiev Governorate.
Once the Bolsheviks controlled the area, Romanas returned to Kiev. By late January, with the Bolsheviks inquiring after him, Romanas went incognito to Vilnius. Before leaving, he organized the Minsk Lithuanian Exilesâ Committee. On January 27, 1919, Romanas was awarded the rank of captain.
On February 2, 1919, Romanas was called to join the Lithuanian army.
Delegated to the Ministry of National Defence, he was responsible for special affairs.
He was later the representative for the Ministry of National Defence responsible for jurisdiction.
Romanas served in Berlin as the Military Attaché at the Lithuanian Embassy under Jurgis à  aulys (1879-1948), who was appointed Lithuania's first minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary in Germany on November 23, 1918.
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.
On June 7, 1920, Romanas was transferred to the Military Court.
By August 1921, he was working as the Public Defender's Assistant in the Military Court in Kaunas.
On May 22, 1923, Romanas was promoted to the rank of major.
On July 11, 1923, he was again promoted, this time to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
On October 1, 1923, Romanas was given a permanent position in the Military Court - whereas before he was temporary. On September 15, 1926, Romanas was awarded the rank of colonel in the Military Court, and then on October 1, 1926, due to health concerns, he was transferred to the Reserves.
As a part of the Chodakowski family, a noble house dating to the PolishâÂÂLithuanian Commonwealth, Romanas' family were also heavily involved in the political sphere of interwar Lithuania.
His sister, Sofija SmetonienÃÂ, was an active player in the woman's movement and married to Antanas Smetona, the first and long-standing President of Lithuania.
Romanasâ other sister, Jadvyga Tà «belienÃÂ, was one of the founders of the Lithuanian Council of Women, a writer and diplomat, and married to Juozas Tà «belis, the long-standing Prime Minister of Lithuania.
His brother, Tadas Chodakauskas, was the mayor of PanevÃÂà ¾ys, the fifth-largest city in Lithuania.
His cousin, GabrielÃÂ PetkeviÃÂiatÃÂ-BitÃÂ, was an active worker in social rights and one of the foremost writers in the country.
In 1926, Romanas Chodakauskas bought Daukà ¡iagiràestate. There he received guests, including his sister, Sofija SmetonienÃÂ, and her husband President Antanas Smetona. The local residents watched with amazement as the first lady of the country walked around Daukà ¡iagiràwith her daughter, Marija Smetonaità(1905-1992). However, Romanas did not own Daukà ¡iagiràfor long. In 1928, he sold it by auction.
On June 22, 1928, Romanas married Wanda à Âukaszewicz (née Gryffin) at Vytautas' the Great Church in Kaunas. The officiating priest was Juozas Tumas-Vaià ¾gantas (1869âÂÂ1933). The witnesses to the marriage were President Antanas Smetona and Gvidonas Ruscicas.
Wanda had been married once before, to Witold à Âukaszewicz (1888-1926) - a cousin of painter Bronisà Âawa à Âukaszewicz (1885-1962). Wanda had two children from the previous marriage.
Romanas lived with Wanda and her children in Kaunas and spent summers at Wanda's estate in Vilnius District, Lapà ¡iai Manor.
In 1930/1931, the family address was LaisvÃÂs aleja 58, Kaunas. In 1932, their address was first at KÃÂstuÃÂio gatvÃÂ 27 (courtyard), Kaunas, then Kalnu str. 13, before finally Vytauto pr. 14 (now 30) Kaunas, flat Nr. 6 (Juozas Daugirdas Apartment Building). They lived on the fourth floor of five.
On April 7, 1932, Romanasâ 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. Romanasâ sister, Jadvyga Tà «belienÃÂ, was the godmother.
On October 9, 1932, Romanas died from a heart attack.
The procession from Romanas' house to the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica was described by the press:<blockquote>On October 9, 6 pm the body of Romanas Chodakauskas was taken from his house on Vytautas Avenue to the Basilica. The Republican President Smetona, his sisters Sofia, Jadvyga, Tà «belis, the Minister of National Defence of Lithuania, B Giedraitis, and the Commander of Kaunas Command, relatives and many other people, participated in the procession.</blockquote>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 RamybÃÂs park. Writer and priest Juozas Tumas-Vaià ¾gantas (1869âÂÂ1933) and University of Lithuania law professor Petras Leonas (1864-1938) spoke at the grave.
A memorial plaque was installed in RamybÃÂs Park in 2018 to commemorate those who fought for Lithuanian independence.