the matejkas were originally from wischkovitz (bohemia). his father arrived in switzerland before 1900, maybe due to the lack of job opportunities in the czech republic. he was granted swiss citizenship in 1915. his son alphonse was born in st. gallen the 9 january 1902. he spent his last years as a student in the mercantile section of the cantonal school where he founded a student union under the name of "industria sangallensis".