Svestka, Frank 1865 –

SVESTKA, KALISHEK, YALVODA, LUKES, MAROVETZ, PECINOVSKY, ANDERA, DUKES, BALIK, WANDAS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/4/2015 at 14:34:50

FRANK SVESTKA.

Frank Svestka, well known throughout Jackson township as a progressive and prosperous farmer, and closely identified with mercantile interests of Jackson Junction as the proprietor of a fine general store, is a native of Bohemia, born November 24, 1865. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Kalishek) Svestka were also born in that country and came to America in 1869, locating immediately in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they resided for seven years. At the end of that time they removed into Howard county, Iowa, where they now make their home, the father having retired from active life. To their union were born twelve children, two of whom have passed away. The others are: Frank, of this review ; Emma, who became the wife of Mr. Yalvoda of Howard county ; Louis and Joseph, also of Howard county; Annie, who married H. Lukes of Winneshiek county: James, who makes his home in North Dakota; Carrie, the wife of Joseph Marovetz of Howard county; Louisa, who married Frank Pecinovsky, also of Howard county; John, who is operating the family homestead in that county; and Rosie, the wife of Joseph Andera of North Dakota.

Frank Svestka was only four years of age when he was brought to America by his parents and upon his father's farm in Winneshiek county he spent his early childhood, later moving with the family to Howard county. He acquired a district-school education and early became familiar with all the details of farm operation, gaining much practical experience along this line by assisting his father in the fields. When he began his independent career at the age of twenty-five he naturally turned his attention to the occupation in which he has been reared, buying land in Winneshiek county near Jackson Junction. To this he added from time to time, finally owning two hundred and forty acres on which he carried on general farming and stock-raising, success steadily attending his well directed industry. Of late years he has disposed of the great portion of this property, holding eighty acres which by able management and practical methods he has made one of the finest agricultural properties in the locality. Mr. Svestka does not live upon his farm, but has moved into the village of Jackson Junction where he is conducting an excellent general store. He has there built up an extensive and representative patronage and this is accorded him in recognition of his fine stock of goods, his upright and honorable business dealings and his earnest desire to please his patrons. In addition to this he was connected with the operation of a large lumber business there, an enterprise which he founded in 1892 and which has had a prosperous existence since that time.

Mr. Svestka married Miss Mary Dukes and to their union have been born five children: Emma, the wife of Charles Balik of Mason City. Iowa; William also of Mason City; Ida, the wife of Joseph Wandas of Fort Atkinson; and Annie and Mary, both of whom live at home. The family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Svestka is connected fraternally with the Bohemian Workmen and the Order of Foresters and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, taking an intelligent interest in community affairs. He is however, not active politically preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business interests, which, being capably conducted, are bringing him a gratifying measure of success.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913