USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 28
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Mr. and Mrs. Koza have five children: Abigail, now Mrs. John H. Sunier, the jeweler; M. J., of Texas; William, mar- ried Miss May Baker, living in Iowa City; Anna, living at home; Carrie, clerk in Sunier's store.
Mr. Koza is a member of the C. S. P. S. and the P. J.
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Safarik lodges of Iowa City. He was one of the founders of the latter lodge, and takes a great interest in fraternal mat- ters. In 1902 he erected a business block on East College street and in 1906 his modern home at 619 North Linn.
At sixty-one years of age, this son of Bohemia is a repre- sentative and prominent citizen of his adopted city, having proven to his friends and the world the power of honest pur- pose in the activities of life, and the possibilities of success under the favorable conditions of a leading American com- monwealth. With ample means in his possession, he may
RESIDENCE OF JOHN KOZA
look confidently forward to many years of peace and useful- ness, with the comforts of wife, children, and friends, and the respect of neighbors and fellow citizens.
F. B. VOLKRINGER
Many native sons of Johnson county have spent their en- tire lives within its limits, and of these none has won a more honorable record than Frank B. Volkinger, who has been honored by election to the office of county clerk, and who has filled the duties of his responsible post with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all. He was born October 2, 1864,
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son of Frank and Josephine (Meyer) Volkringer, the father a native of Alsace, Germany, and the mother of Strasberg, Germany. Frank Volkringer came with his parents to the United States at the age of three years and was educated in this country. He came to Iowa City in 1856, walking in from the edge of the town, as the railroad had but just been com- pleted to Iowa City and had not yet entered the town proper. He later engaged in business in Iowa City and became a prom- inent citizen. He died there April 11, 1881. He and his wife had two sons and six daughters, of whom all survive except one son. The mother of Mr. Volkringer, Mrs. Josephine (Meyer) Volkringer, died in Chicago, III., March 5, 1900, and
RESIDENCE OF F. B. VOLKRINGER
her remains were brought to Iowa City accompanied by her son, Frank B. Services were held at St. Mary's church of which she was a member and she was laid at rest beside her husband in St. Joseph's cemetery March 7, 1909. The sur- viving children are Lilly, wife of John English of Iowa City; Louisa, widow of Robert Lorenz, Iowa City; Catherine or Kate, wife of William Vokes, of Chicago; Annie, wife of George Reasor, Iowa City; Frank B., of this review; Ella, wife of George Wise; Emma, wife of Frank Glennon.
Frank B. Volkringer received his early education in St. Joseph's Institute, established by Rev. F. Emonds, and later graduated from Iowa City Business College. In his seven-
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teenth year he entered the Johnson county court house in the capacity of deputy recorder to assist Recorder Weden. He was appointed to the office for four years by J. J. Hotz ; served two years under J. J. Novak in the same position, and six months under Joseph Cerny. His next appointment to office was in the county auditor's office under Hon. George Koontz, present mayor of Iowa City. He next entered the county clerk's office as assistant to William Hotz, and upon leaving this position became deputy for County Treasurer A. R. Cherry, in which place he remained two years, then re- mained there four years under Ed. Kozer. He was first elect- ed to the office of county clerk in 1906, and has held it ever since, having been reëlected in 1910.
Fraternally Mr. Volkringer is a member of the Maccabees, Modern Woodmen of America, the Elks, the Knights of Col- umbus, the German Aid Society, and Catholic Order of For- esters. He and his wife are members of St. Wenceslaus Bo- hemian Catholic church, of Iowa City, and are much inter- ested in the various branches of the work. Mrs. Volkringer is especially active and interested in all Christian endeavor and affairs of the church.
Mr. Volkringer was married in Iowa City to Miss Tonie Strand, native of Bohemia, who came to Johnson county when a child. She is a daughter of Joseph and Mary Strnad. Joseph Strnad died 1894. Mary Strnad died 1896.
Mr. and Mrs. Volkringer are well known in social circles and both are much interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community. Having spent all his life in John- son county, Mr. Volkringer has many friends and is one of the most popular men within its limits. His friends often re- fer to him in a familiar, friendly way as "Frenchy."
JAMES L. LUSCOMBE
Among the self-made of Iowa City, Iowa, may be count- ed James L. Luscombe, who has been a resident of the city since infancy. He is a native of London, England, born July 25, 1868, son of James and Mary (Liddle) Luscombe, who were born, reared, and married in that country. The father
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was born in March, 1843, and the mother during the same year. They came to America, direct to Iowa City in 1871, and there located permanently. James Luscombe was a car- penter who made a specialty of indoor work, and he became one of the first professional stair-builders of Iowa. He was an enterprising and successful workman, being well skilled in his particular line of the trade. He died in 1875. His widow survives. They became the parents of three children.
James L. Luscombe graduated from the lowa City high school with the class of 1885, and after following various lines of work, in 1892 engaged in business on his own account, as a photographer. He has since continued in this line and has built up a high reputation for the excellence of his work. He is a true artist and keeps in touch with modern ideas. He takes an active interest in the welfare of the city where almost his entire life has been spent, and can remember no other home. He is affiliated with the republican party. He and his family attend the English Lutheran church, of which they are members. He is ready to forward any object affecting the general welfare and is regarded as a public-spirited citizen. He is well known in various circles in Iowa City and vicinity and has a host of friends. He has patronage from a wide territory.
On January 1, 1893, Mr. Luscombe was united in marriage with Miss Minnie E. Hartle, a native of Iowa county, Iowa, and daughter of Geo. Hartle and Hartle, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. Two sons have blessed this union: Donald A., born in 1897, and Robert, born in 1902, bright young people, and students in the Iowa City schools.
WILLIAM MARESH
It is probably not generally known that the use of copper in cornice construction was, if not actually conceived by Vaclav W. Maresh of Iowa City, at least first put into general favor by him through the product of his factory in this city. His was the first manufactory of the sort west of Chicago, and it is conceded that he is one of the oldest operators in this line. His plant has furnished material for many of the
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principal buildings of Chicago, Denver, and other western cities, and the manufactory established by him and now oper- ated by his two sons, William and Stanley E., is among the best in the country in the line of ornamental copper work.
Vaclav W. Maresh became an artificer in copper in his native country, Bohemia, whence he came direct to Iowa City when a young man. In his adopted home he met Antoinette Miller, who became his wife, the couple being married in this city. Miss Miller came to America with her parents, who located at Iowa City. Seven children were born to them: Emma, living with her parents ; Stanley E., associated in busi- ness with our subject; Lillian Choate, living at home; Della,
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM MARESH
now Mrs. Thomas Chadima, of Cedar Rapids; William our subject; Dr. George, practicing medicine at Riverside, Iowa ; Dr. Reginald, practicing dentistry at Cedar Rapids. Both parents are living and residing at 530 East Market street, Iowa City, the father being seventy-two years of age.
William Maresh was a student in the public schools of Iowa City, and took a course in the Iowa City Business College. This he later supplemented by a course in architectural design- ing and drawing, and then served a full apprenticeship at the coppersmith trade. In March, 1900, he became associated
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with his brother, Stanley E., in the galvanized iron works and stoves and tinware business at 212-214 East Washington street, in which he is still engaged.
Mr. Maresh was married September 10, 1902, to Miss Ella Hurka, of Cedar Rapids, a native of Iowa, whose parents were born in Bohemia. The family residence is at 312 East Davenport street.
Mr. Maresh is a member of the Masonic fraternity, includ- ing the degrees to Knight Templar of Palestine Commandery of Iowa City. He is also a member of the B. P. O. E., of Iowa City.
FRANCIS LEONARD LOVE, M. D.
One of the most popular young physicians of Johnson and adjoining counties is Francis Leonard Love, M. D., the sub- ject of this sketch. Ilis first general practice began in 1906 and his work as a specialist in 1908, his clientage extending to all parts of Johnson, Iowa, and Washington counties. Probably no physician in Iowa City has finer equipped of- fices or accommodations for patients than Dr. Love. He oc- cupies eleven rooms in the new, modern Paul-Helen block, furnished with every possible convenience. Included in the equipment are an operating room and a laboratory, with every modern appliance. The doctor's specialty is diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat. He is assistant in surgery in the State University of Iowa.
Dr. Love is a native of Iowa, being born in Calhoun county in 1879. His parents are Horace A. and Annie M. (Sullivan) Love, of Manson, Iowa. He was a graduate of the high school of Manson in the class of 1897. In 1897-98 he enlisted in the Spanish-American War and served with 52d Iowa vol- unteer infantry until the regiment was mustered out of ser- vice. He attended the University of Chicago. He graduated from the medical department of the State University of Iowa June 18, 1906. He took a post graduate course in eve, ear, nose, and throat at the Polyclinic, Chicago.
Dr. Love is a member of the American Medical Associa- tion, of the Iowa State Medical Society and the Johnson County Medical Society. He was honored by the last named
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society with the office of president in 1910. Ilis fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus, B. P. O. E., M. W. A., and W. O. W., of Iowa City. His family and he are members of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church.
Dr. Love's wife is Miss Frances Mullen, daughter of Wil- liam Mullen, one of the prominent citizens of Johnson county. They have one daughter, Mary Catherine.
WILLIAM MULLEN, father of Mrs. F. L. Love, is living in retirement with his son-in-law at the family residence, 922 East College street. He is a native of Queen's county, Ire- land, where he was born Angust 2, 1841. On December 14, 1863, he left his native country for the United States, reach-
RESIDENCE OF FRANCIS LEONARD LOVE, M. D.
ing New York December 28. In January, 1864, he moved to Rockford, Illinois, and on April 18, 1868, located at Iowa City. For eleven and one-half years he was associated with the Iowa City Gas Company. In March, 1880, he was appointed super- intendent of the county poor farm by the supervisors of Johnson county, a position which he held until his retirement from active business. One year prior to his removal from Ireland Mr. Mullen was married to Miss Katherine Whalen, also a native of Queen's county. They have seven children : John P., Annie S., Joseph, James, Mary, Katie, and Frances, wife of Dr. Love. In politics Mr. Mullen is a democrat. Al-
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though in favor of temperance, he declares he felt it to be his duty to vote against the constitutional prohibition amend- ment, and did so.
JOSEPH KOZA
Joseph Koza is two years the senior of his brother, John, whose biography appears in this volume, and much that has been said respecting his younger brother is equally applicable to him. The reader is respectfully referred to the biography of John Koza for additional facts. In one respect the brothers repeated his story - they both left their native land, Bohemia, at the age of nineteen. Joseph preceded James in his westward journey by two years. Both settled in Iowa City, and both have acquired financial independence.
The date of Joseph Koza's birth was September 21, 1848. His parents are Joseph and Josephine (Balat) Koza. He reached Iowa City in 1868 and entered the meat market busi- ness. In this he was successful, being associated for about fourteen years in partnership with his brother John. In 1900 Joseph sold out the business to his brother and retired, since which time he has been enjoying ease and rest, his property interests being sufficient to occupy his attention.
On June 12, 1870, Mr. Koza was married to Miss Mary Pechman, a native of Bohemia, who came direct to Johnson county with her parents in 1857. Again the Koza brothers repeated history, both having married daughters of the same parents, as stated in the biography of John Koza. Mr. Pechman died in 1909, and his widow lived at Iowa City, where she died May 11, 1912. Three children were born to „Joseph and Mary Koza : F. Joseph, married Miss Dela Gris- sel, and living at Chicago; Emma JJ., now Mrs. J. D. Nad- herny, living at Chicago; E. G., married Emma Duker, and living at Quincy, Illinois. Mrs. Koza died September 30, 1910.
Mr. Koza is a member of St. Wenceslaus Bohemian Catho- lie church.
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EDWARD SULEK
Rising, by persistent application, from an obscure farmer boy to a successful place as an honored member of the legal profession of Iowa City, Edward Sulek stands as an example to the young men of Johnson county. Born on a farm in Johnson county; working steadily thereon in his youth and attending school in the winter and spring; graduating in the high school ; teaching country school ; studying the elementary principles of law by correspondence; graduating in the law department of the State University of Iowa ; undertaking his first law practice with the old farm for his office ; then remov- ing to Iowa City and entering actively into practice with a splendid clientage - all this reads almost like a romance. Yet this is briefly the life sketch of Edward Sulek. This simple recital of facts discloses at once the stuff of which he is made. Men made of this material have no such word as failure in their lexicon.
The founders of the Sulek family in this county were An- thony and Barbara (Sladek) Sulek, natives of Bohemia, Aus- tria, who settled in Jefferson township in 1853. After a residence there of fifteen years, they removed to Linn county, and thence in old age removing to Ely, Iowa ; finally back to the old home in Johnson county, where Grandfather Sulek lived with our subject's mother until his death. Frank Sulek, son of Anthony and father of Edward, was born in Bohemia in 1843 and came to Johnson county with his parents at the age of ten years. The farm on which the family settled in 1853 is still in the possession of the family name, being now owned by Frank Sulek, brother of our subject. The elder Frank Sulek died in 1893 at the age of fifty years. He was a successful farmer and was appreciated by everybody who knew him for his efficiency and honesty. He served Johnson county for six years as a member of the board of supervisors. His wife was formerly Anna Besk, a native of Bohemia, who came with her parents to America when seventeen years of age. She was born in 1849. Her father, Vac. Besk, died in March, 1912, at the age of eighty-five years. The parents of Barbara Sulek, Grandfather and Grandmother Sladek, ac- companied Anthony and Barbara Sulek to this country and
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died at an extreme old age, Grandfather Sladek having reached his ninety-sixth year.
There were two sons in Anthony Sulek's family: Frank, father of Edward; and Anton. Edward Sulek was the fifth child in a family of ten, of whom seven now survive, four boys and three girls.
As heretofore stated, Edward Sulek was born and raised on his father's farm. The date of his birth was JJuly 29, 1874. After attendance at the district schools of Jefferson township, he entered the Shueyville high school in 1888.
RESIDENCE OF EDWARD SULEK
From there he went to Cedar Rapids high school, where he graduated in 1895. Hle entered the Law Department of the State University in 1904, graduating in 1906. His first em- ployment, aside from agriculture, was teaching the Sulek school near his home farm. Today he is a resident of Iowa City, where he is accounted one of the successful lawyers of the city.
Mr. Sulek was married November 1, 1910, at Cedar Rapids, Towa, to Stella Novak, daughter of Frank J. and Aloyzina Novak, both natives of Bohemia. The parents of Mrs. Sulek
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came to America in poor circumstances, and by industry and frugality have become well-to-do. One daughter, Stella Ivenka, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Sulek, at Iowa City, Feb- ruary 1, 1912. All the responsible duties of the sheriff's office is looked after by Mr. Sulek, he being special deputy sheriff with all the authority of that office. He is a candidate on the democratic ticket for the office of county clerk, of John- son county, at the 1912 election.
ALBERT HUSA
Among the representatives of Austria-Hungary who have played an important part in the development of southeastern Towa no people have shown greater aptitude for assimilation with our American institutions than the children of Bohemia. It is undeniable that these people of the upper tributaries of the Elbe have brought to this new world habits of industry, frugality, honesty, and good citizenship that entitle them to the respect of mankind. From the Prague we have the ob- ject lessons of virtue, loyalty, respect for parents, and com- munity fellowship which invite our admiration and respect. Schleswig-Holstein, Hanover, Brandenburg, or the Nether- lands, have brought us no better examples of thrift and native ability. The Bohemian in Iowa, and noticeably in Linn and Johnson counties, is in evidence as a sample of citizen-trans- planting of the first order. Scores of farms in a high state of cultivation in all parts of Johnson county attest the activity of their Bohemian owners, while the cities and villages, the store, the shop, the factory no less tell the story of their ad- vance. The Bohemians are essentially a humble people, ready to do the fundamental tasks of life; and therefore they may be found in all the ordinary activities, toiling unceasingly and uncomplainingly - but day by day and year by year climbing higher in the scale of success, until today in astonishing num- bers they occupy the places of industrial and financial power in eastern Iowa. And thus are the former subjects of Francis Joseph justified of their exodus.
Among the Bohemian-Americans of Iowa City, Albert Husa occupies an honorable place. He has been a resident of
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the city for seventeen years, and in that time has built up a profitable business as a merchant tailor. His success is ex- plained by two factors: First, his honesty and square deal- ing, and, second, his expert knowledge of his trade. The former is inherent ; the latter is the result of careful training and long practice. At the age of twelve years he became a tailor's apprentice at Vienna, serving four years, and follow- ing this he worked as a journeyman three years. At the age of nineteen, in 1883, he came to America, locating in Chicago, where he followed his trade for eleven years, and in 1893 added to his educational equipment by graduating from the cutting department class of the Garment Workers Associa-
Furt
RESIDENCE OF ALBERT HUSA
tion. He left Chicago in 1894 and located in Iowa City. His first place of business was on South Dubuque street, where he remained until 1908, when he relocated at 203 East College street, his present shop. There he has an established trade which is constantly growing. He is assisted in his work by his son, who has served five years under his father.
Albert Husa was born April 24, 1864, his parents being John Husa and Elizabeth Hrubec, who followed the occupa- tion of farming and lived and died in Bohemia. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native land; his school life extended to Vienna during the time he was serving his tailor's apprenticeship. He was married in Chicago to Miss Eleanor
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Schomfelder, a native of Bohemia. Four children have been born to them: Catherine, at home; John P., assisting his father in the tailor shop; William J., attending high school; Albert, a student in the public schools. Mr. Husa is a member of several fraternal societies, including the I. O. O. F., C. S. P. S., Slovanska Lipi, a pioneer order, Zabadny Jednota So- ciety, Branch Iowa City Sokol, the Bohemian Turner Society. The family residence is at 326 Fairchild street.
JASPER S. POTTER, V. S.
In comparatively recent years the treatment of sick and injured domestic animals has passed from the grasp of "old grannies" into the hands of trained professionals, equipped by education and practice for the performance of the neces- sary ministrations to the "dumb friends of man." Adequate education has been supplemented also with modern appliances and sanitary quarters for the handling of horses, cattle, and other members of the brute creation whose ailments place them in the category of "patients." The old barbarous prac- tice of shooting a sick or injured animal is being largely eliminated by the successful work of veterinarians, who bring scientific medicine and surgery into the practical treatment of the sick and afflicted among our four-footed friends. It can hardly be denied that such service is of the highest value. The extent of suffering hitherto entailed upon the horse, for example, prior to the introduction of modern veterinary science, is scarcely conceivable. The department of animal dentistry alone covers a multitude of ills, for the horse, as the human, suffers from decay and malformation of his teeth, as well as affections of his gums and mouth. An hour's ex- perience with the dental clamps 'offtimes "makes a new man out of him," and canses him to whinny in his appreciation. Equally gratifying results come from scientific treatment of the hoofs, the joints, the epidermis, and other affected parts of the animal; while, in the case of fracture or severe strain of limbs or jaw, the science of the veterinary in nearly every case precludes the use of the pistol or the ax. The list of common ills of animals which yield to expert hospital treat-
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ment is sufficient to fully establish the claim of the veterin- arian to the gratitude both of the animal creation and of the business world. The place of the veterinary surgeon in the economy of modern science is secure and unassailable.
In his profession in Iowa City Jasper S. Potter, D. V. S., stands at the head. His equipment, from the school room to the laboratory and hospital, is of the first order. He sup- plemented a fundamental common school education by a com- plete course in the Chicago Veterinary College, from which he graduated in the class of 1892, while, in connection with his membership in the Iowa State Veterinary Association and the
RESIDENCE OF JASPER S. POTTER, V. S.
American (National) Veterinary Association, he keeps pace with the progress and thought of his profession.
Dr. Potter was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, May 28, 1869. His parents were John D. and Kate (Scott) Potter, pioneer settlers of Cedar county, Iowa, in 1839, now residents of Rochester, Iowa. Dr. Potter's wife was formerly Miss Fannie Maguire, a native of Iowa, and their marriage took place in Cedar county. They have one son, Lawrence.
The doctor takes a great interest in fraternal matters. He was Exalted Ruler of the B. P. O. E. for one year, and is a member of the M. W. A., Yeomen, Homesteaders, and Red Men. His residence and hospital are located at 226 South Capitol street, Iowa City.
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JOSEPH WALKER
Joseph Walker is one of the extensive landholders of John- son county and is one of its most successful business men as well. He belongs to an old pioneer family, one that has al- ways been held in high regard by all. He was born in John- son county, June 29, 1858, son of Joseph Walker. Joseph Walker, Sr., was born in Portage county, Ohio, in 1819, son of James Walker. James Walker, who was a native of Vir- ginia, moved to Ohio when it was still a territory, and there married Miss Mary Burnett, a native of Ohio. The nine chil- dren born of this union were: Robert, Nancy, Samuel, James. Eliza, Joseph, Lanra, Fannie, and Henry. Nancy married James Penwell, of Ohio; Eliza married Benjamin Wortinger, of Ohio; Laura married Henry Welsh, of Johnson county, Iowa, and they moved to Kansas; Fannie married George Walker, formerly of New York, and they settled in Johnson county.
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