USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 44
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ried to Fannie Dusel, living in Iowa county; William, married to Lillian Veerska, living in Jefferson township; Annie, died December 20, 1911; and Frank, at home.
In national politics Mr. Coufal allies himself with the demo- crats, but takes the liberal and independent attitude in local matters. He is interested in all public enterprises, and is a friend of churches and schools. In recognition of his public spirit the town of Coufal was given his name.
DANIEL ROZEK
Daniel Rozek was born in Bohemia in April, 1841. His parents were John and Marie (Bartosh) Rozek, native Bo- hemians. Mr. Rozek was married in Bohemia in 1868 to Miss Rose Schabel, and with his wife and young family emigrated to America in 1880, settling upon the farm in JJefferson township which is his present home. The couple have been blessed with
RESIDENCE OF DANIEL ROZEK
eleven children, as follows: Marie, now Mrs. William Chase, living in Cedar Rapids; Joseph, living on a farm in Jefferson township; Rose, now Mrs. Joseph Emsh, living in Amana, Iowa; Anna, living in Cedar Rapids; Frank, married and liv- ing in Oxford, Iowa; Emma, now Mrs. William Vich, living near Northwood, Iowa; Della, living with her sister at North-
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wood, Iowa; Matilda, engaged in dressmaking in Cedar Rap- ids; Clara and Adelina, living at home.
Mr. Rozek is the owner of sixty acres of well tilled land in Jefferson township, and is in comfortable circumstances. He began with no capital but a good brain, a stout heart, and will- ing hands. He is a democrat, and a member of St. Wenceslaus church, Cedar Rapids.
JOHN WESLEY LAUGHERY
John Wesley Laughery was born in Schuyler, Illinois, June 15, 1848. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Dean) Laugh- ery, both natives of Ohio, where they were married in 1841. In the summer of 1841 they removed to Illinois and settled at Pleasant View, where the father worked as a carpenter. In 1846 the family came west to Wapello county, Iowa, and re-
RESIDENCE OF JOHN W. LAUGHERY
mained one year, when they returned to Illinois. In 1854, however, they moved back to Iowa, settling this time in Lee county. In the fall of 1861 Thomas Laughery enlisted in Com- pany A, of the Nineteenth Iowa Volunteers, serving for two years in the Civil War. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1863 on account of physical disability incurred from ex-
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posure in the service. In 1864 the family moved to Madison township in Johnson county. Ten children were born to Thomas and Mary Laughery (one dying in infancy) : Samuel Calvin, member of Company E, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, now liv- ing in South Dakota; our subject; Francis Marion, now living at Shueyville; Martacia, now Mrs. John Stanchfield, of Hink- ley, Minnesota ; Martha Jane, now Mrs. J. K. Fardice (see his sketch) ; Nancy Alice, who died in 1907, in the state of Wash- ington; Barbara Ellen, now Mrs. John Proctor, living in Los Angeles, California ; Mary Lucinda, now Mrs. James Hutson, living in Jefferson township; Sarah Margaret, now Mrs. Kimm, of Pine City, Washington.
John Wesley Laughery has followed the occupation of farm- ing all his life. He bought his present farm in 1898, and has resided thereon ever since. In 1891 he was married to Miss Levema Inbody, who was born in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1851. Her father was a native of Martinsburg, Virginia, and her mother was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Inbody were married in Indiana, and came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1853. There they entered goverment land and lived and died, the father in 1897 and the mother in 1895. They were blessed with thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to manhood and womanhood : John, Jesse, Eli who died in infancy, Jacob, Caro- line, Levema, now Mrs. Laughery, George, Malissa, Alice, and Thomas.
Our subject is a republican and a member of the Evangelical church. Mrs. Laughery is a member of the Methodist church. When a child she was afflicted with eye trouble, which resulted in the complete loss of her sight at the age of eleven years. However, in spite of this serious handicap, she does her own housework, raises poultry, and attends to her garden and flowers, seemingly with as much ease as one who sees. She has a most beautiful collection of flowers, which are a hobby with her. To see her about the house and yard one would never suspect her of blindness. She is in many respects a most re- markable woman, and is universally respected for her great strength of character and culture. Needless to say she is be- loved by her husband.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
JOSEPH CASTEK
Joseph Castek was three years of age when he left his native country of Bohemia with his parents and made the journey to America and Johnson county. Joseph and Annie (Coufal) Castek, his parents, were both natives of Bohemia. They started for America in August, 1862. Arriving in Johnson county, they immediately settled on a farm in Jefferson town- ship, where they resided for five years, then removed to Cedar Rapids, where they lived four years. In 1871 they moved back to the old homestead in Jefferson township, a farm of 120 acres. A few years later Frank Castek purchased a farm of 176 acres in Monroe township and moved thereon. This was
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH CASTEK
the home of the couple until the death of the mother, following which the father went to Cedar Rapids to live with his daugh- ter, Mrs. Ruska, in whose home he died. Father and Mother Castek had eight children : Joseph ; Frank, who died in Monroe township on his farm some years ago, leaving a wife and three children ; John, living in Cedar Rapids ; Louis, living on a farm in Monroe township; Annie, now Mrs. Frank Konigsmark, living in Cedar Rapids; Josephine, now Mrs. William Ste- panek, of Cedar Rapids, Mr. Stepanek being an alderman in that city; Mary, now Mrs. Louis Ruska, of Cedar Rapids, at
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whose home Father Castek died; Frances, now Mrs. Frank Dolezal, living on a farm in Linn county.
The date of Joseph Castek's birth was January 1, 1859, and twenty-one years later, namely, in 1881, he began business for himself at farming. In 1882 he bought his first farm consist- ing of 120 acres. He resided upon this farm about twenty years, when he bought the farm of 140 acres where he now lives. He was married in 1882 to Miss Frances Vaverka, a na- tive of Johnson county, her parents being among the early set- tlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Castek have eleven children : Joseph F., living on his farm in Jefferson township; Frank, living on the old homestead; Joseph; Aldrich, living at home; Otto, also residing at home; Agnes, now Mrs. Stanley O. Marak, living on a farm in Jefferson township; Mary, now Mrs. Charles Petrak, living in Swisher, where Mr. Petrak is engaged in blacksmithing; Frances, now Mrs. John Kilberger, resides in Linn county ; Emily, Lonisa, and Henrietta, living at home.
Mr. Castek is recognized as the most liberal and publie spir- ited men of Jefferson township, and is referred to generally as one of the best and kindest of neighbors. He was assessor of his township for six years, and has held other important local offices. He is a democrat. He belongs to Shueyville Camp No. 5382, M. W. A., also to C. S. P. S. of Western, Iowa. The family are members of the Catholic church.
ANTON VERBA
The grandparents of Anton Verba came to America from their native country, Bohemia, in 1851, and settled on a farm in Big Grove township. There they built a brick house, burn- ing the brick themselves for its construction. This house is still standing. Anton Verba, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in Bohemia and came with his parents to America in 1851. About the same time Frances Kichmar, who after- wards became his wife, came to America with her parents and settled with them in Cedar Rapids. In 1861 Anton, Sr., and Frances Kichmar were married. They lived in Cedar Rapids two years, and in 1863 purchased a small tract of land two
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
miles east of their present home, where they lived for a short time. Thereafter they bought and moved on to the farm in Jefferson township where our subject was born in March, 1870. This farm was the abiding place of the father until 1895, the year of his death. The mother is still living with her son Anton at the old home. This farm has always been the home of our subject, and thereon he has worked as a farmer from boyhood. Three children were born to Anton Verba, Sr., and Frances Kichmar: Joseph, residing in Schuyler, Nebraska; our subject, and one who died in infancy.
The old farm is an object of affection for our subject, and he has devoted himself to the work of making it productive and attractive. Six acres are planted in orchard, containing a fine variety of fruit. The widowed mother is spending her de- clining years in peace and plenty amid the old home acres. She and her family were formerly attendants upon the Catholic church, but of late years they have not been communicants of any church. Anton Verba stands well among his neighbors, bearing the reputation of an industrious and honorable citizen.
JACOB SHUEY BOWERSOX
The Bowersox family is mentioned at considerable length in connection with the sketch of James E. Bowersox, a brother of Jacob S., which is to be found elsewhere in these pages. The parents were among the very early settlers of Johnson county, making the long trip from Virginia before the days of a rail- road over the route taken by them. The father followed the trade of carpenter for some time after his arrival, in 1855, and in this connection erected many of the first houses in Shuey- ville. This town was named in honor of the family of his wife, whose maiden name was Mary M. Shuey. Mr. Bowersox was a preacher for the United Brethren church, both in his native state and after coming to Johnson county, and is very well re- membered among the early settlers for his activity in various lines of endeavor. He spent the latter years of his life chiefly in this calling and was a very earnest and devout Christian. He and his wife took a very active part in various public move-
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ments and were closely identified with the material and moral improvement and development of their part of the county.
Jacob Shuey Bowersox was born in Augusta county, Vir- ginia, May 13, 1846, and was about nine years old when the family moved to Johnson county, Iowa. He attended the schools at Shueyville, and later the college at Western, one mile north of that town. Upon completing his education he engaged in farming during the summer months and taught school during the winters. He continued in this manner until he reached the age of fifty years, since which time he has de- voted his whole energies to farming. He has found this a
RESIDENCE OF JACOB S. BOWERSOX
profitable employment and is one of the successful men of his neighborhood. He takes an intelligent interest in local affairs and is recognized as a public-spirited, enterprising citizen. He is a useful member of the United Brethren church and in polities is a republican. Mr. Bowersox has been a student all his life and looks on everything with liberal views. He keeps abreast of the times on the issues and events of the day and is able to converse on any subject in an interesting manner, being able to set forth his views in a forceful and concise way. He has been glad to give his children a good education and favors any movement for the general welfare and advancement.
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Mr. Bowersox was married, April 15, 1869, to Miss Jane Elizabeth Hutson, a native of Illinois, and daughter of Joseph and Polly (Roe) Hutson. Five children have blessed this mar- riage: Calvin Eugene, superintendent of schools in Chelan county, Washington; Elizabeth, wife of Robert Smith, on a farm near Ely, Iowa; Ruia Margaret, Mrs. LeRoy Hurless, whose husband is a teacher in the schools at Grandview, Idaho; Alta Inez, married Roy Yessler, resides in Jefferson township; Frederick Clay, a graduate of the high school at Shueyville, principal of Andrew high school, at Andrew, Jackson county, Iowa.
FRANK NOVOTNY
The Novotny family was one of the early ones to locate in Johnson county, where the birth of Frank Novotny occurred, in 1863. He is a son of Joseph and Annie (Kuthony) Novotny, natives of Bohemia, who were reared and married in that
RESIDENCE OF FRANK NOVOTNY
country and came to America abont 1860. They located at once on a farm in Johnson county and remained in Jefferson township until the father enlisted for service in the Civil War. After the close of his service he returned and resumed farm- ing operations. He survives, but the mother passed away in
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1901. They were parents af the following named children : Joseph lives in South Dakota; John, of Jefferson township; , of Madison township; Anton, Wesley White; George, of Jef-
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cation in local schools and when ork engaged in farming on his rin near Shueyville, and in con- hereon, has for the past eight stock in that town. He pur- nd has made various improve- ide-awake and hustling farmer eeded in a gratifying degree in m to be a man of good character will and esteem of a large circle
ny married Miss Mary Melsha, nship, Johnson county, of Bo- family were among the early were farmers. Mrs. Novotny Iren, Della and Emma, both at Novotny is a member of the ; is a democrat. He belongs to vith Shneyville Camp No. 5382. en in his part of the county and
[ H. PUDIL
hnson county who have been snc- ons may be mentioned William rin that has been in the family in 1892. He has demonstrated management in his operations ffairs. He was born at Shney- November 28, 1881, son of F. J. ppears in this work.
areer as a farmer on the home ; made various improvements in
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Mr. Bowersox was married, I Elizabetlı Hutson, a native of Illi and Polly (Roe) Hutson. Five cl riage: Calvin Eugene, superinto county, Washington; Elizabeth, farm near Ely, Iowa; Ruia Mar whose husband is a teacher in the Alta Inez, married Roy Yessler, r. Frederick Clay, a graduate of tl principal of Andrew high school, Iowa.
FRANK NO
The Novotny family was one o Johnson county, where the birth in 1863. He is a son of Joseph an natives of Bohemia, who were ]
RESIDENCE OF FRAN
country and came to America ab once on a farm in Johnson county township until the father enlisted 1 After the close of his service he r ing operations. He survives, but
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1901. They were parents af the following named children : Joseph lives in South Dakota; John, of Jefferson township; Frank, of this sketch; Wesley, of Madison township; Anton, of Linn county ; Annie, wife of Wesley White; George, of Jef- ferson township.
Mr. Novotny received his education in local schools and when old enough to choose his life work engaged in farming on his own account. He has a fine farm near Shueyville, and in con- nection with his operations thereon, has for the past eight years been buying and selling stock in that town. He pur- chased his farm about 1890 and has made various improve- ments on it since. He is a wide-awake and hustling farmer and business man and has succeeded in a gratifying degree in all his enterprises. He is known to be a man of good character and integrity and has the good-will and esteem of a large circle of friends.
On June 27, 1887, Mr. Novotny married Miss Mary Melsha, who was born in Monroe township, Johnson county, of Bo- hemian parents. The Melsha family were among the early settlers of that township and were farmers. Mrs. Novotny died in 1906, leaving two children, Della and Emma, both at home with their father. Mr. Novotny is a member of the Catholic church and in politics is a democrat. He belongs to the M. W. A., being affiliated with Shueyville Camp No. 5382. He is among the best-known men in his part of the county and influential in many circles.
WILLIAM H. PUDIL
Among the native sons of Johnson county who have been suc- cessful in agricultural operations may be mentioned William H. Pudil, who occupies the farm that has been in the family since his parents settled there in 1892. He has demonstrated his business ability and good management in his operations and has been active in local affairs. He was born at Shuey- ville, in Jefferson township, November 28, 1881, son of F. J. Pudil, a sketch of whom also appears in this work.
Mr. Pudil commenced his career as a farmer on the home place January 1, 1906, and has made various improvements in
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
its appearance and productiveness. He purchased this place, which contains one hundred acres of land, in September, 1909, and since that time has erected all the buildings thereon with the exception of the dwelling house. He makes a specialty of raising Aberdeen Angus cattle, of which a few are pure-bred. He has recently introduced the pure-bred stock, realizing its superiority to common stock, and hereafter will spare no trouble or effort to make his one of the model herds in his part of the State. In this he is following the lead of modern farm- ers throughout the country, as stockmen are every day realiz- ing more fully that much better results can be obtained in this way. Mr. Pudil is a democrat in politics and is serving his third term as clerk of his township.
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM II. PUDIL
On August 27, 1907, Mr. Pudil was united in marriage with Frances Jesina, who was born in Bohemia, and came to Amer- ica in 1900, and direct to Johnson county. Her parents re- mained in their native country, but two brothers of Mrs. Pudil also came to Johnson county : Frank, married and living in Cedar Rapids, and Charles, also of that city, who married Miss Libby Pudil. Two children have been born to Mr. Pudil and wife, namely : Wilma, born January 1, 1909, and Franklin W., January 3, 1911. The family are well known and have many warm friends in the community.
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JOHN K. FORDICE
John K. Fordice, well known as a substantial farmer and a veteran of the Civil War, has lived on his present farm in Jefferson township, Johnson county, for the past thirty-five years, and during that time has brought it to a high state of de- velopment. He is a native of Morgan county, Ohio, born Sep- tember 11, 1831, son of Stanton and Keziah (Kennison) For- dice, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Vermont. The parents came to Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois, in 1833, and located on a farm near there, where they spent the remainder of their lives, both dying during the Civil War. The father enlisted in the army during the latter part of the war
RESIDENCE OF JOHN K. FORDICE
and lived at Little Rock, Arkansas. The mother died on the home farm in 1862. They were parents of eight children : Charles, who always lived in McLean county, enlisted in 1862 and took part in the battle of the Wilderness and the battle of Shiloh, served under Grant and served to the end of the war; John K., of this sketch; Ruby married William Couch and they live in Moline; Susanna married a Mr. Hogan, of Missouri, who enlisted in the Union Army from that state; Annie mar- ried William Skinner and they live in Missouri; James, who went to California in 1854, enlisted in the regular army, was engaged in fighting Indians, and died in Grand Ronde Valley, Oregon.
In boyhood John K. Fordice attended the public schools near
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
his father's home, and he was reared to farm work, engaging in work for himself after he reached his majority. He learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked until the time of the Civil War. Following the second call for troops, for a term of three years, on August 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, proving himself a faithful and valiant soldier. The first hard-fought battle in which he participated was the siege of Charleston, in 1863, where he lost his left leg and was seriously wounded in the right side. He spent four months in a hospital at New York City, was transferred thence and spent another four months in Central Park Hospital, New York, and later was transferred to the Mann Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. On June 10, 1864, he was discharged on account of disability, and in September of that year came to his home in Jefferson township, Johnson county. He purchased his present home in 1877 and has estab- lished himself in the good-will and esteem of the community. He is a useful and active member of the Evangelical church and belongs to the G. A. R. at Cedar Rapids. He has always taken an interest in the welfare and progress of his community and is regarded as a substantial and public-spirited citizen.
Mr. Fordice was married (first) on January 26, 1853, to Mary Jane Fowler, who bore him three children, namely: James M. is married and lives in Jefferson township; Ben- jamin is married and lives at Shueyville; Mary Elizabeth. He was married (second) April 23, 1886, to Martha Jane Lough- ery, a native of Schuyler county, Illinois, and four children have been born to this union : Harland John and Alta Anne, at home ; Alice Pearl, wife of Frank Arthur Eaton, of Cedar Rap- ids ; Linton Arthur, at home.
HENRY CARSE
"The honest blacksmith" is not a term which is lightly ap- plied to Henry Carse, who for fifty-eight years has toiled at his shop in Shueyville, Iowa. He served his apprenticeship in Geneseo, Illinois, then came to Shueyville. Mr. Carse's dom- inant traits of character, as vouched for by his neighbors of over half a century, are truth, honesty, temperance, and in-
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dustry. His reputation, confirmed in the final court of appeal, public opinion, entitles him to a high place in the citizenship of Johnson county. Mr. Carse is complete Irish and complete American - Irish by blood and ancestry, American by birth and residence. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, October 25, 1832; therefore, at this writing, he has just entered upon his eightieth year. His parents were William Carse and Mary Ann Finley, both natives of county Down, Ireland. Both were single when they came to America. William Carse, at the age of eighteen, left his native land and settled in Wayne county, Ohio. There he met and married Mary Ann Finley, who had
THE HENRY CARSE SHOP
come to America with her parents and settled in the same county. William Carse was a farmer, and followed that call- ing all his life. After a number of years spent in Ohio, he and his good wife removed to Henry county, Illinois, where they both died, after having lived for a goodly time on their farm. They were blessed with eleven children. We are able to pre- sent the names of but nine : Jane, now Mrs. William Dersham, living in Whiteside county, Illinois ; our subject ; Adam, died in 1905; Margaret, now Mrs. William Merriman, living in Gen- eseo, Henry county, Illinois ; Nancy, deceased; John, living on the old homestead in Illinois; Sarah Ann, who was twin to
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
John, residing with the latter on the old homestead; Thomas B., living in Cleveland, Illinois ; Mary, who is also living on the old homestead with her brother and sister Sarah Ann.
Henry Carse learned the blacksmith trade when he was about twenty years of age. At that time he launched out to make his own way in the world. He has never failed to "weld good" in the battle of life. A blacksmith he was at twenty ; a blacksmith he is at eighty. He learned the trade in Geneseo, Illinois. There he served his apprenticeship of three years and worked as a journeyman one year. Soon after that he moved to Shueyville, Iowa, taking with him his wife, Miss Mary Ann Brown, whom he married in Henry county, Illinois, on the 5th of May, 1861. During his half century of residence and activity in Johnson county, Mr. Carse has had business deal- ings with many hundreds of people. Every customer and ac- quaintance has regarded him with honor and respect.
The three children of Henry and Mary Ann Carse are: Henry W., living in Pierce county, Nebraska; Alice A., now Mrs. George Graham, residing on a farm in Calhoun county, Iowa; Jennie Alva, now Mrs. Frank Sherman, living at North Yakima, Washington.
Mr. Carse is a democrat. Mrs. Carse is a member of the United Evangelical church. Needless to say that this vener- able couple are held in high esteem by their neighbors and friends of Shueyville.
WESLEY KADLEC
Wesley Kadlec has one of the most beautiful farm homes in Johnson county, where a large part of his life has been spent, and has always used his time and influence to further the best interests of his community. His farm is in a high state of cul- tivation, contains good buildings, and is operated by means of modern machinery and equipment. Mr. Kadlec is an enter- prising and up-to-date farmer and believes it pays to follow the latest approved methods in conducting his work. He has been honored by his fellows in being elected to various offices of public trust and has performed his duties in a satisfactory manner. He was born in Bohemia, October 14, 1857, son of Joseph and Anna (Cevenka) Kadlec, who brought the family to
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