Nikola Kovačić

Nikola Kovačić (1881 — 1967) was a Croatian man and a resident of the village called Sveti Matej.

Biography
Nikola was born in 1881, likely on the Kovačić Hill in Sveti Matej. He was the son of Stjepan Kovačić I and his wife, Ana Kovačić. As a child, Nikola was baptised in the Catholic Church. The first wife of Nikola was called Magdica, and they had at least one child, the daughter named Marica. Marica became the wife of Valent, member of the House of Koščević. After the death of Magdica, Nikola married Barica, who bore him several children, and after this woman died, he lastly married one Marica; their only known child was Petar Kovačić.

As the head of the House of Kovačić, Nikola had great authority. His granddaughter Ivkica Jakšić described him as a strong and tall man with dark hair and moustache. She once slept in the same bed with him and his third wife, whom she called "grandmother". Nikola celebrated his name day and was considered a person of importance in the village.

He died in 1967, being a widower, and was buried in his father’s tomb. He was an ancestor of many people.

Children
Nikola’s children:
 * Marica Koščević
 * Stjepan Kovačić II
 * Kata Kovačić
 * Ljubica Kovačić
 * Dragec Kovačić
 * Petar Kovačić

Etymology
Nikola’s name means "the victory of men/people" (Greek: Νικόλαος). The name comes from the name of the Greek goddess Nike and the word laos, "men". Saint Nicholas is still celebrated in Croatia.