USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 68
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Both Dr. and Mrs. Burge are graduates and post-graduates of the University, and later Dr. Burge after further prepara- tion at home and abroad, returned to the State University where for thirteen years he has held the position of assistant professor of surgery, in its college of medicine.
THE SWANK CHURCH
Built in 1906.
Board of trustees-Robert Swank, George Yocum, T. J. Me- Callister, Lewis Rubelman, George Walts.
On Sunday, April 28, 1907, the dedication services were held by Rev. W. Ernest Stockley, of Madrid, Iowa, assisted by local and visiting ministers.
For several years the people in the vicinity of the Swank cemetery have realized their need of a church edifice in their community. On May 4, 1906, a public meeting was held in the King school house to consider the matter and at that time it was decided to erect a church building at the Swank cemetery and T. J. McCallister and George Yocum were appointed as a committee to canvas and find what amount of money could be raised for the purpose. Their efforts were so successful that another meeting was held and the body organized as the Swank Cemetery association and steps were taken to incorporate un- der the laws of the state of Iowa.
Too much cannot be said in commendation of the untiring efforts of the board of trustees who under the zealous leader- ship of their first president, Robert Swank, and his successor, T. J. McCallister, have carried out the plans and brought the efforts to completion.
B. SHIMEK
THE BOHEMIANS IN JOHNSON COUNTY
BY B. S(H) IMEK
The Bohemians, or as they should properly be called, the C(h) echs,* constitute approximately one-fifth of the population of Johnson county. They occupy the greater part of the northern tier of townships, and their colony extends into Oxford, Madison, and Penn townships and across Newport township into the northern and eastern part of Iowa City. Smaller colonies are also found in Union, Lincoln, and Fremont townships, and individual families are scattered throughout the county.
It is now practically impossible to determine the name of the first Bohemian who came to this county. The first owner of real estate seems to have been Anton Rigl (or Rigel) who purchased a part of section 4 in Big Grove township on the 9th day of January, 1852. Others, like Joseph Rene (h) in, came early but re- turned to Bohemia for their families or friends.
THE NORTHERN COLONY
The first permanent settlement was made in the northern part of the county and centered in Jefferson township in this county and College township in Linn county. The majority of the older settlers in this section came in the years 1854 to 1856, but stragglers followed for many years after. These people left their native land during the period of political disturbances which followed the revolutionary out- breaks of 1848 and 1849, the period of great awakening among European nations. The oppressed of all nations were demanding their rights and the Bohemians, who had borne the oppression of the Austrian government for several generations, joined in the general uprising. The partial collapse of this effort made exiles of many of those who had taken part in it, and the industrial depression which followed caused many more to leave their native land.
The spirit with which these people entered upon their duties in the land of their adoption may perhaps be best understood by a brief reference to the history of the "Slavonic Political Society" which was organized at the home of Mr. John Witous(h)ek near Shueyville, March 5, 1863, and the records of which are still preserved. By this time the older settlers had become citizens of this country, the first application for naturalization papers, so far as the records of Johnson county show, having been made by John Witous (h)ek, August 17, 1854, others following rapidly. The privilege of free citizenship, which had been denied to them in their native country, was so highly prized that few permitted delay in securing it. But they felt the need of a more thorough understanding of their new duties, which had been assumed most seriously, and for this purpose the society was organized. Its object as set forth in the records was twofold: 1. The maintenance of our Slavonic honor among Americans. 2. Honorable participation in the political af-
* In Bohemian the letter c with a v-shaped mark over it (č) is pronounced as ch in chat, and similarly s with a v-shaped mark over it (s) is pronounced like sh in shall. In this account the letter (h) in parenthesis signifies that the letter e or s preceding it should be written and pronounced as here indicated. Where ch appears without the parenthesis it is sounded as in German.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
fairs of this country. Its motto was well worthy of a body of strong men: "Unity in fundamentals, freedom in disputed questions, charity in all things." The object of the society was to discuss political questions and thus gain the necessary in- formation for an intelligent exercise of franchise. To reach a fair conclusion, as the records show, the society subscribed for the New York Staatszeitung (German) "because it is democratic," the New York Tribune (English) "because it is re- publican," and the Dubuque Herald (German) to give information concerning questions of direct interest to the people of this state. In addition to this the society and its members subscribed for the Slavie, the only Bohemian paper pub- lished in this country at the time. The numerous addresses and discussions, of which a partial record is preserved, breathe a spirit of appreciation of liberty and the responsibilities of free citizenship which is not often found in political discussions. No body of foreigners ever received the rights of American citizen- ship with a deeper appreciation of their duties, and the writer knows from personal experience that it was an inspiration in later years to listen to the fervid utterances of some of these men who had suffered so much in their efforts to secure the right which they finally enjoyed. These were strong men and good citizens, and no taint of anarchy marred their concept of a government of the people.
The society undertook to celebrate the Fourth of July in 1864, and Francis Joseph S(h)imek of Jefferson township, and John B. Seykora of Iowa City were selected as the orators of the day, though the records do not show that the latter officiated. The celebration was held in Shueyville, and here in a strange tongue these people gave expression to their profound appreciation of American patriotism. Similar activities were continued until 1870, when the society was transformed into the Reading Society, which is still in existence in Monroe and Jefferson townships.
The first officers of the Political Society were the following: President, Rev. Francis Kun; vice presidents, Joseph Hrdlic (h) ka and Anthony Sulek; secretary, Francis Joseph S(h)imek; treasurer, George Bures (h) ; librarian, Frank Sulek. This was not the first Bohemian society in the county, for other organizations had preceded it both in Jefferson township and in Iowa City, but it is especially note- worthy because it was the first to make preparation for the duties of American citizenship its chief aim, and the spirit of its membership was but typical of the spirit of those earlier pioneers who brought so much of understanding to their new duties out of the abundance of their own sufferings and experiences.
As noted, the original settlement in the northern part of the county centered in Jefferson township, but extended far beyond its limits. The first settlers came either by way of Iowa City, or directly across the prairies from Racine, Wisconsin, which was the starting point for the ox-team caravans which crossed the prairies to the Iowa Eldorado before the railroad crossed the Mississippi river. These people were in part political refugees, like Anthony Sulek, Joseph Sosel. Francis J. S(h)imek, and others, or they were seeking relief from the industrial oppression and depression from which they had suffered in their own country. They came with limited means, and partly for this reason, and partly because in their native land they had been accustomed to comparatively small tracts of ground, they purchased small tracts of cheap land which had been practically exhausted by earlier settlers, or acquired prairie which was then still considered of little value. But it is notice- able that they soon acquired land and built their own homes, and this home-making quality has characterized the Bohemian people of every class and kind who have come to this country.
As also noted, the first purchase of land in the northern part of the county by a Bohemian was probably that of Anthony Rigl in Big Grove township in 1852, but
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BIOGRAPHICAL
larger numbers did not come until 1854, and the majority of these settled in Jef- ferson township and the adjoining part of Linn county. Purchases of land were made during that year by the following persons in about the order named, as shown by the county deed records .*
Anthony Sulek, Francis Rigl (or Rigel) (also called Ridl), John Witous (h)ek, Joseph Renc (h)in, Anthony Kopecky, Joseph Coufal (Coufall, also appearing as Sofal; the station on the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Interurban now written Cou Falls, was named for this man), Joseph Dostal, Victor Barta (later written Barta- Letovsky), John Horak, Ignatius (Ignaz S (h) tepanek, and Anthony Pecka (Pitzka). Other settlers who came to Jefferson township but did not purchase land until later were: John Barta-Letovsky, George Sirovy, Frank Hajek, Bontta, and others.
During the same year (1854) purchases were made in Big Grove township by the following: Anthony Plesl (Antoine Plassel), Ignatius (Ignaz) Zabokrtsky (Zawa- kusky ; the name also appears in other records as Zabriskie, and in other forms), Joseph Stransky, Vit Votroubek (Watrobek), Ignatius (Ignaz) S(h) tepanek. Frank Zika and John Fiala also came to Big Grove or Cedar townships in 1854, but did not at once buy land. In Cedar township the purchases during that year were made by Joseph Zenis (h)ek (Zenischek or Zenisheck), Jacob Zenis (h)ek and Joseph Kue (h)era. It is also probable that John Dusil settled in Monroe township during the same year.
In 1855 a larger number settled in the county, and purchases were made as follows :
In Jefferson township - Joseph Filipi (Phillippi, also Filipy), Vaclav (Wenzel) Sulek, Francis Kubias, Joseph S (h) tepanek, George Sirovy (also Syrovy), Joseph Pirkl (Perkle), John Slezak, Matthias S(h)kerik (Mathew Sherik), Francis Kali- ban, John Janko (also Johnke), Daniel Kuc (h)era, Vaclav S(h)ich (Wenzel Seck), Joseph Horsky (also Horskie), Francis Volesky (or Wolesky). John Holec, Frank Mys (h)ka, John Feyerabend, John S(h)pac(h)ek and Joseph Stransky also came in during this year but made no purchases.
In Big Grove township - Daniel Kramar, John Novak (Nowak), John Trkal (Takal), Ignatius (Ignatz) Serbonsek and Francis Zika (Frantz Syka).
In Cedar township - Joseph Ptak, Matthias Hynek (Hinek), Dolezal and Holu- bar, James Brodsky (Brodska), John Broz (Brush), and Francis Sv (w) idensky.
In the year 1855 several new-comers arrived in Big Grove or Cedar Township, among them Vaclav Ulc(h), Albert Maly, Jacob Zinkula, Thomas Kuc (h)era, Jacob Kuc(h)era, John Jilek and Jacob Smith.
In Newport township Anthony Sulek and John Novak (Nowak) purchased land in the northern part in the year 1855, and were the first Bohemian land owners in that township.
In the year 1856 additional purchases were made in Jefferson township, but mostly by those who had come in the preceding year, or in 1854. The following are shown by the records: John Barta-Letovsky (Bartiletowsky), Joseph S(h)imbersky (Shinborsky), Joseph Jakubec (Takubetz, also written Jokobez), and Vaclav Fibikar (Winzel Fibiker). Others who came during this year were: Frank Pirkl and Francis J. S(h) imek. There was also quite an addition to the colony in the latter part of 1855 and the early part of 1856 consisting of the fol- lowing, the exact date of whose arrival was not ascertained: Joseph Hrdlic (h) ka, John Feyerabend, Frank Mys(h)ka, John Dlouhy, Frank Pospis(h) il, Frank Bys,
* The correct form of the name is given first, and if another form appears in the records, or is in common use, this appears in parenthesis. Since so many of the names are misspelled in the records it is believed that this will form a useful reference.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Frank Rous(h)al, Hynek Serbousek, John S(h)pac(h)ek, Zahradnik, and John Kroul. Later some of these purchased land and others located elsewhere in this or Linn county.
In Cedar township, in 1856, John Vrba (Verbough), John Fiala and Joseph Las(h)ek purchased land, and other new-comers in this and Big Grove township, were the following: Vaclav Krofta, Frank Stochl, Anton Dvorak, and John Ruzek.
In the '60's further additions were made to the Bohemian colony in Jefferson and Monroe townships, among them Joseph Konasek (1860), Vaclav Pudil and John S(h)plichal (1861), Joseph C(h)astek (1862), John Krejsa (1864), Anthony C(h)ihak, Joseph Netolicky, and others.
It should also be noted that several families which at first located in Linn county at an early day later moved to Jefferson or Monroe townships in Johnson county. Among these were: Paul Korab and the Novak family who came in 1854, Thouas Korab in 1855 and George Chadima in 1856.
This northern settlement has changed very much since the days of these pioneers. The log house has been crowded out by the modern residence; the automobile and the carriage have takeu the place of the ox-team; the small holdings of the first settlers have expanded; out of the waste or wild lands of early years splendid farms have been developed; and the people are no longer strangers in this land. The children of these pioneers know nothing personally of the hardships which the fathers suffered, but they cherish the memories of those who dared to endure, and they are proud of the stock from which they came.
This northern colony has furnished Johnson county and the state, more or less directly, with a long list of useful servants. In this list are three professors of the State University (Professors H. Claude Horack and B. Shimek, and Assistant Professor Frank E. Horack), a member of the legislature and mayor of Iowa City (John M. Barta-Letovsky), a clerk of the District court (Paul A. Korab), two county recorders (J. J. Novak and James Havlik, Jr.), four members of the board of supervisors (Anthony Sulek, George Ulch, Frank Sulek and Joseph Konasek), and various minor county, city and township officers. It has also given to Iowa City and Cedar Rapids a number of successful business and professional men.
IOWA CITY
While the largest permanent early settlement was formed in the northern part of the county, several Bohemian families settled in Iowa City at a very early date. The first one to own real estate in Iowa City, so far as the county records show, was Mr. Zenis(h)ek who became part owner of lot 1, block 20, January 23rd, 1855. In 1856 John Hamrlik (Hamerlick), Vaclav Mikulecky (Wencel Michaletsky). and Anton Javorsky also purchased lots, and in the following years many who had come earlier also acquired property. John Hamrlik came with his family in 1852, but he found several families located in Iowa City, among them the Kadera and Stejskal families, and John Kile.
Early in 1854 John C(h)erny, with his sons-in-law, Joseph Charvat (now usu- ally written Harvat) and Joseph Konvalinka, and their families, located for a short time on the north side of Renolds street east of Linn, where they built their own house, Mr. C(h)erny being a carpenter and Mr. Konvalinka a millwright. During the same year, or in some cases probably earlier, the following arrived : Vaclav Duchac (h)ek (probably much earlier), Jacob Zinkula, Eggermeyer, .Jerabek, Vaclav Mikulecky, Emanuel Rohlena, and perhaps others.
Among the arrivals in 1855 were George Dostal and Anton Javorsky (now usually written Yavorsky). Subsequently larger numbers came, especially just
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BIOGRAPHICAL
before and after the Austro-Prussian war in 1866, and the Bohemian population of Iowa City increased until it has formed approximately twenty per cent of the total. Unfortunately no accurate record of these arrivals is at hand, but the fol- lowing are recalled: The families of Frank Mezik (1856), Frank S (h) ala (Shalla) (1857), M. Kroc (Krotz), Severin Buric(h), Anton Bittner, Joseph Maly, Vaclav Silbernagel, Joseph Pis(h)a (1864), Vaclav W. Mares(h) (1866), George Nedobity, Joseph Kriz, Frank Dvorak, Frank Vorel, Vincent Kresl (Grissel), Joseph Kozderka, John Lehky, Frank Zetek, M. Plevka, Vaclav Kriz, Ivan Vejvoda, Vaclav Calta, Peter Kodl (Cole), Joseph Las(h)ek, Vaclav Las(h)ek, Thomas Neuzil (1867), Jo- seph Kaspar (1867), Pribyl, Frauenholz, Vavrina, Joseph Slavata (1874), etc. Other names of early settlers will be found in the list of soldiers of the Civil War.
These people came for the most part with limited means, but they were thrifty, and by nature home-builders, and they soon acquired homes of their own. They have become a fixed part of the population of Iowa City, and by their industry and perseverance they have added materially to its development. The younger genera- tion is taking an active part in the business and professional activities of the city, and in its public affairs, and their representatives have occupied practically every official position within the gift of the community.
NEWPORT TOWNSHIP
A few Bohemians had settled in the northern part of this township in the middle fifties, at the edge of the northern colony, but the present settlement was estab- lished somewhat later. In the early sixties Joseph Lhotka, Martin Vanek, Plas (h) il and M. Parizek formed the nucleus of the present colony. John Dvorsky came in 1866, and his brother, Frank Dvorsky, and Dominic Jirava, the Lacinas, Hradeks, Krals, and others, followed. By their industry these people greatly im- proved an unpromising region, and in later years several families assisted in estab- lishing settlements in other parts of the county.
OTHER SETTLEMENTS
Smaller settlements were formed later in Lincoln and Fremont townships, and in Union township. In the former one of the earlier settlers was John Pechman, and later the Petrus, Petsels, Dvorskys, and others came in chiefly from Newport township.
The nucleus of the Union township colony was formed by Peter Kodl (Cole) and Frank Vrchoticky (usually known as Bily or White), and soon after Thomas Neuzil, Hibl, Hradek, and others from Iowa City and Newport township followed.
In addition to this there are settlements in Oxford, Madison and Penn townships, which are practically extensions of the northern colony, and many families are scattered about in other parts of the county.
SOLDIERS OF THE CIVIL WAR
Reference has been made to the intense patriotism of the early Bohemian set- tlers. Many of them had left their own country because they did not wish to serve in the army of a foreign tyrant, but war for human rights presented an entirely different aspect to them. Although the Johnson-Linn county settlement was rela- tively not large it furnished nearly one hundred soldiers who fought in the armies of the North, the greater part coming from Johnson county.
As many of the names of the Bohemian soldiers are misspelled in the reports of the Adjutant General of Iowa for the years 1863-65, and as it is desirable that a
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
correct record of these names be preserved, a complete list of all the Bohemians who enlisted from Johnson county, so far as could be ascertained, is here presented :
In every case the correct name is given first and the name as given in the adju- tant-general's reports, or the Roster of Iowa Soldiers, vols. I-IV, 1908-1910, if different, follows in parenthesis. In a number of cases the men enlisted outside of Johnson county, chiefly at Cedar Rapids, but were residents of this county. On the other hand perhaps some who enlisted in this county belonged elsewhere. This was the case with Charles Bednar and John Pospis(h)il, who probably came from Linn county. The nativity of several is erroneously given in the reports as German or Austrian. The list follows:
6TH IOWA INFANTRY
Company G-Belka, Charles (Bilka, Charles), 3rd sergeant, wounded at Resaca, Ga .; veteran; in adjutant general's report, 1865, called a German. It is also said that Joseph Svidensky enlisted in this company under a name which had been given to him by his employer who found Svidensky too hard, but no definite information was secured.
12TH IOWA INFANTRY
Company D-Rene (h)in, Frank. (Enlisted first in Company K. 1st Iowa In- fantry, but was discharged to reduce number, wounded at Shiloh. Votroubek, Ignatius (or Vit), (name appears as Watrobek, Enos). Votroubek, John (Watro- bek, John). These men enlisted at Cedar Rapids and are called Germans in the reports. They were Bohemians from Johnson county.
14TH IOWA INFANTRY
Company F-Votroubek, Vaclav (Watrabek, Wenzel). Another soldier of the same name was a member of Company B, 9th Iowa Cavalry.
15TH IOWA INFANTRY
Company A-Broz, Joseph (Brush, Joseph), enlisted in Cedar Rapids; called a German.
Company I-Maly, Albert (Mali, Albert) ; Novotny, Joseph (Nowitney, Joseph).
22ND IOWA INFANTRY
Company A-Beranek, Francis A. (Beranck, Francis A.). Honza, John W. (Houza, John W.).
Company B-Novak, Frank (Nowak, Frank ), 7th corporal, native of New Jersey. Company D-S(h)ala, John (Shalla, John), musician.
Company H-Horak, Vaclav (Harrick, Wesley, in Iowa Roster as Horrich, Wes- ley ).
Company K-John Mudroch (Monro), 2nd sergeant; Martin Svidensky (Sur- dansky), 4th corporal, killed at Vicksburg; Joseph O. Dostal (O'Dorstal), 7th cor- poral; Paul Miller, musician; Bednar, Charles (Bedner, Karl, Beaner in Iowa Ros- ter) ; Benes (h), Vaclav (Bemesh, Weizel), died in service; Bittner, Jacob, wounded at Fisher's Hill, Virginia; Dvorak, Joseph (Dworak, Joseph) ; Horak, Joseph (Horack, Joseph) ; Holpuch, John (Holbreck, John) ; Holubar, Joseph, 1st corporal; Klima, John; Konec(h)ny, Frank (Konecny, Frank, "Austrian") ; Mezik, Frank (Mezik, Franc) ; Pospis(h)il, John; S (h)krabal, Albert (Skrabaal, Albert) ; Skrivan, Thomas (Skriban, Thomas, Skribar in Iowa Roster) ; Javorsky, Alois (Yaworsky, Alois); Javorsky, Joseph (Yaworsky, Joseph); Zika, Vaclav (Zika, Wenzel), prisoner at Winchester; Úvěří, John (Heck, John, known generally by
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BIOGRAPHICAL
the latter name), reported under the name "Corporal John Hack" as slightly wounded at Fisher's Hill. Mels (h)a, John ( Milssa, John, residence given as Grin- nell, but enlisted from the northern part of Johnson county), Plac (h)ek, Frank (Placek), and Leipert, Joseph (Lappert, Joseph) were later recruits. A Frank Placek also appears in Company G, 47th Iowa Infantry.
46TII IOWA INFANTRY
Company E-Horak, Frank J. (Horak, Frantisek), enlisted in Cedar Rapids; Sulek, Anthony, "German, " enlisted in Cedar Rapids.
47TH IOWA INFANTRY
Company G-Benesh, John (Beneish, John) ; Hynek, Frank (Henik, Frank). Plac (h)ek, Frank (Placek, Frank), "Austria,"' see also Company K, 22nd Iowa Infantry ; Chudac (h) ek, Matthias (Poor, Michael), "Austria," the name Poor was adopted as the result of an attempted translation, the name is now often written Hudachek, Matthias is often erroneously rendered "Mike," hence Michael; Zika, George (Zeka, George), "Austria."
1ST IOWA CAVALRY
Company K-Petsel, John, enlisted in Cedar Rapids.
2ND IOWA CAVALRY
Company B-Zahradnik, (Zacharenck; in Roster of Iowa Soldiers as Zahardneck, nativity Austria) John J.
Company H-Kodl, Joseph (Cole, Joseph), 3rd corporal, wounded at West Point, Miss., veteran ; Chudac (h)ek, Anthony (Pwor, Thomas). This was intended for Poor, this soldier being a brother of M. Poor or Chudac (h)ek. Anthony is often called "Tom" and hence Thomas instead of Anthony. Listed as German on re-enlistment. Re-enlisted in the same company in 1864.
6TH IOWA CAVALRY
Company I-Drabek, Joseph. In the Iowa Roster the residence is given as Salem, and in the adjutant general's report, 1863, vol. II, as Salem, Johnson county. This should evidently be Solon.
STH IOWA CAVALRY
Company K-Kapsa, Frank (Capsen, Frank).
9TII IOWA CAVALRY
Company B-Votroubek, Vaclav (Watrobek, Winzel). Residence given as Cedar Rapids.
13TH REGULARS, U. S. A. (Not appearing in the adjutant-general's reports)
Company A-Javorsky, Frank (Yaworsky) ; Zinkula, Joseph, corporal; Kapsa, John (Capsen) ; Sulek, Vaclav.
Company B-Krch, Frank A. Company C-Blaha, J., corporal.
4TH MISSOURI INFANTRY
Kubik, John, enlisted in St. Louis.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
51ST MISSOURI INFANTRY
Pechman, John, enlisted in St. Louis.
The regiment and company of other men who enlisted in this county could not be ascertained. Such were the cases of Charles Moll, and Jacob Kuc(h) era from the vicinity of Solon, and John Rohlena from Jefferson township. Rohlena was prob- ably a member of the 13th Regulars. He fell at Chattanooga.
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