Old Settlers

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 extend 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 returned to Bohemia for their families or friends.

The Northern Colony	Iowa City	Newport Township
Other Settlements	Soldiers of the Civil War	Surname Errors
Educational Interests	Churches	Societies
Other Interests

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 outbreaks 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 affairs 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 information 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 republican" 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 Slavic, the only Bohemian paper published 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 th e 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 Franc 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 noteworthy because it was the first to make preparation for the duties o 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 b y earlier settlers, or acquired prairie which was then still considered of little value. But is is noticeable 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 larger numbers did no come until 1854, and the majority of these settled in Jefferson 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 deeds records.*

Anthony Sulek, Francis Rigl (or Rigel) (also called Ridl), John Witous(h)ek, Joseph rene(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 Jajek, 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 (Zawakusky; 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 enis(h)ek (Zenischek or Zenisheck), Jacob Zenis(h)ek and Joseph Kuc(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 Kaliban, John Janko (also Johnke), 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)Serbousek and Francis Zika (Frantz Syka).
In Cedar township - Joseph Ptak, Matthias Hynek (hinek), Dolezal and Holubar, 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 (Ule(h), Albert Maly, Jacob Zinkula, Thomas Kue(h)era, Jacob Kue(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 S9h)imbersky (Shinborsky), Joseph Jakubee (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 following, the exact date of whose arrival was not ascertained: Joseph Hrdlie(h)ka, John feyerabend, Frank Mys(h)ka, John Dlouhy, Frank Pospis(h)il, Frank Bys, 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 Krejssa (1864), Anthony C(h)ihak, Joseph Netolick, 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, Thomas 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 taken 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.

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 11, block 2, 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 usually written Harvat) and Joseph Konvalinka, and their families, located for a short time on the north side of Reynolds 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 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 following 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. Maresh(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), Joseph 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 generation 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 established 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 improved an unpromising region and in later years several families assisted in establishing 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

SURNAME ERRORS

The errors in names may be assigned to various causes. In some cases the surnames were difficult and were translated or adapted. In some cases, as that of Joseph Svidensky, the modified or substituted name is said to have been applied arbitrarily by an employer who found the correct name too difficult. The former use of the letter "w" in place of "V" also caused some changes, as in Dvorak, Svidensky, etc. Still other changes in names are due to the custom which prevails in Bohemia of applying a name to an estate and then transferring it to any new family which may take possession of it. It has occurred that persons having more than one name of this kind have been charged, with ulterior motives by those who were ignorant of the circumstances. Changes in the given names have also been made in many cases. Sometimes similarly sounding English names have been employed, as where Vaclav was changed to Wesley, or Ignatz to Enos. In other instances, foreign corruptions of Bohemian names were used, as where Wenzel, the German corruption of Wenceslaus, or Vaclav, was chosen. In still other cases erroneous translations were made, as where James has done service for Vaclav. Finally, the names were sometimes simply misspelled. In all these cases it seems only due the men who fought for our country that their names be correctly recorded.

EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS

CHURCHES

SOCIETIES

The oldest Bohemian societies now in existence in Johnson county are the Reading Society of Jefferson and Monroe townships, which is simply a continuation of the old Political Society, and the Slovanska Lipa of Iowa City, the latter a social and aid society. Both were established in 1863, and both followed still earlier organizations.

In addition to the societies named, the following may be mentioned, with the year of their birth:

In Iowa City -

Zastit, 1870, social and aid

Lodge P. J. Safarik, No. 75, C.S.P.S., 1882, fraternal

Catholic Workman, No. 31, 1897, fraternal and religious

Ceska Beseda, 1903, literary

Sokol Iowa CIty, 1907, gymnastic

Lodge Iowa CIty, Z.C.B.J., 1908, fraternal.

In Solon -

Lodge Laska, No. 164, C.S.P.S., 1890, fraternal.

In addition to this many Bohemians are members of various American societies.

OTHER INTERESTS

In 1869 John Barta-Letavsky and Joseph Pis(h)a established a Bohemian paper, "Slovan Amerikansky, " in Iowa City. Its first editor was Professor Ladimir Klaced, but he did not continue long. He was a man of deep learning, but was scarcely a suitable advisor for people who were confronted with hard material problems. The paper is still published in Cedar Rapids by John M. Barta-Letovsky and Son, under the name "Slovan Americky."

Probably the first Bohemian physician in the county was Dr. John Habenicht, who came to Iowa City in the seventies. He was an eccentric man who imagined that he had great histrionic talent and devoted rather more energy to ranting on the amateur stage than to the pratice of his profession. Dr. Folprecht also came early but did not remain very long, and Dr. Smrz, an electic physician, spent a part of the year 1888 in Iowa City. The younger physicians, like Dr. Joseph Valenta and Dr. Nettolicky, are graduates of the College of Medicine of the State University.

The first Bohemian to practice law in the county was Frank J. Horak, a graduate of the College of Law of the State University. Other more recent graduates of this college who remained in the county are Paul A. Korab, Prof. H. Claude Horack and Edward Sulek.

Other Johnson county Bohemian graduates of the Colleges of Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Applied Science have located elsewhere.

Only a few words can be said here concerning the remaining varied interests of these people. A discussion of their success in farming would be a history of the development of agriculture in several townships in the county; an account of their success as business and professional men, as skilled mechanics and artisans, and as industrious laborers would require a discussion of the progress of these i nterests in Iowa City, Solon, Swisher, Oxford, and Lone Tree. They have borne their share of the work in developing the county and its various interests, and in common with their fellow citizens they are enjoying the hard earned fruits of their efforts.

(Source: Leading Events in Johnson County, IA, Cedar Rapids, Western Historical Press 1912-13; pgs. )