Holets Harness Shop

 

Joseph Holets standing in the door of his harness shop on Walker Street in Ely. His eldest daughter,
wife, son (also Joseph Holets, and younger daughter are standing by the fence.

 

 

A closeup of the Holets family from the above photo

In 1880 Joseph Holets established a harness shop on the west side of Walker Street near the corner of Downs Street.  Expansion of the warehouse soon housed an implement dealership. 

FROM THE ”ELY ECONOMY", an Ely, Iowa newspaper.  The paper has no date, but I believe the date would be about 1897 or 1898. (Since this is my husband's family I have made a few changes to the article with family knowledge.- Barb Horak)

The Holec (Holets) family came to the United States in the fall of 1857. Joseph Holets was born in 1859 on their farm about a mile south of Swisher, Iowa,and was raised there until 17 years old, attending school during the winter terms.  At that age he began his apprenticeship with J.W. Pauba, of Solon as a harness maker where he served two years and then worked for J. E. Dolezal at Ely as a journeyman for 18 months, till the death of Mr. Dolezal. 

He worked for his brother, John Holets, of Fairfax for two and a half years.  In September 1880, he married Miss Katherine Sedlacek at Danforth (later Swisher) and in November began business for himself in Ely where he has remained since and prospered in this line of business.  Mr. Holets is an enthusiastic member of the AOUW (Ancient Order of United Workman) in which he holds the master’s degree.  He and his family are members of the Bohemian Reformed church near Ely.  Mr. Holets is one of the respected and substantial business men of Ely who are doing not only for themselves but for their fellow men what they believe to be right.  His business as a harness maker is prosperous and his customers are all over this region.

The Holets harness shop after expansion to include implements. This view is looking down
Walker Street towards Dows St. with the long-gone Poduska Saloon in the background.

Article from a Cedar Rapids newspaper - in family possession - no date (Spring of 1939)

JOSPEH HOLETS OF ELY KILLED BY TRUCK
Joseph Holets, 79, retired Ely business man, was killed at 5:40 p.m. Friday, when run over by a truck, which Leonard Reyhons, 23, was backing into Ely's main street from an alley beside the retail store he manages.

Mr. Holets, who would have been 80 May 7, suffered a crushed chest and broken back.  Following an investigation with Deputy Sheriff Harlan Snyder, Dr. B. L. Knight, coroner, said there will be no inquest.

Accompanied by Frank Kos, 78, and J. C. Dvorak, 78, both Ely men, Mr. Holets had left the post office just across the street from the accident scene.  Kos and Dvorak started east on the north side of the street and Holets was walking across the road southward, apparently scanning newspaper headlines as he entered the mouth of the alley, witnesses said.  Acquaintances said Mr. Holets was hard of hearing.

Mr. Holets was born about one mile south of Swisher.  For a half-century he operated an implement and harness store at Ely.  He and his wife, Katherine, who survives, would have passed their sixtieth wedding anniversary next September.  He was affiliated with the Masonic lodge at Fairfax.

Other relatives include a son, Joseph W. Holets of near Ely, and two daughters, Mrs. Frank Henik of Mount Vernon and Mrs. Thomas Horak, route 2, Cedar Rapids; one brother, John Holets of Cedar Rapids; two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Kubicek and Mrs. A. O. Latimer, both of Cedar Rapids and seven grandchildren.  The body was taken to the Brosh Funeral home in Cedar Rapids.

Joseph's son, Joseph W. Holets was a banker in Ely for many years.

Cedar Rapids Gazette
Tuesday, 3 April 1984
     Joseph W. Holets, 97, of Ely, manager of First Trust and Savings Bank in Ely from 1943 until retiring in 1965, died Monday morning at St. Luke's Hospital of heart failure.
    Born July 17, 1886, in Ely, he married Ida Barta on Nov. 28, 1911.  She died in 1965.  He farmed and served as secretary and treasurer of the Ely Livestock Shippers Association, was secretary of the Board of Education, served on election boards and the Ely Volunteer Fire Department, and also as township clerk and town treasurer.  He was a member of Ely IOOF Lodge 581, Linn Encampment 49, Canton Rainbow Patriarchs Militant 22 of Cedar Rapids and Posledni Taborita 16 of Ely, and a charter member of Ely Rebekah Lodge 56.
     Surviving is a daughter, Gladys Holets of Ely.
 

Gladys Holets served as a clerk in the Ely bank for many years.

Joseph Holets and wife, Katherine Sedlacek Holets

Joseph W. Holets with his wife, Ida, and daughter, Gladys

Joseph W. Holets built a brick house where his father's harness and implement business had been. He,his wife, and his daughter, Gladys, lived there for many years. The house still stands today on the west side of Walker Street.

 The Ely Community History Society was initially funded by a large grant from the Gladys Holets Estate, for which we are grateful!

Banner Valley and the Fuhrmeister Family

On April 15, 2021 Dan and Debbie's Creamery of Ely posted a story on their blog: 

"THE TOUCHBERRY LEGACY WILL LIVE ON; The historical Fuhrmeister Farm on the south side of Ely, Iowa becomes a permanent part of our family’s journey to sustainability on our dairy farm and creamery.
(Please click the link to read the story.)

Carolyn (Fuhrmeister) Touchberry and her husband, Bob Touchberry.

 

THE FUHRMEISTER FAMILY 
The Fuhrmeister Family are Ely area pioneers. Christopher Fuhrmeister came from Germany and bought land south of Ely in 1838. He then returned to Germany and brought his family over.

From THE CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, Thursday, December 14, 1905.
(A.J..Fuhrmiester obituary)

His father, Christopher Fuhrmeister, was .... a wagon maker and meeting with reverses, came to this country to recoup in the mill business. He crossed the ocean several times before removing his family here and was a great admirer of General Jackson, naming his son (Andrew Jackson Fuhrmeister) for him while the family were still residents of the old country. 

He wished to save his sons the necessity of serving in the army; he knew that in the United States there would be a better future for them, and these reasons entered into his decision to move his family to the United States.

The family came to this country in 1841, landing at Baltimore, and coming by canal boat and rail over the B.& O. Railway to Pittsburg. Thence they came down the Ohio and up the Mississippi to Muscatine and arrived at Iowa City, October 14, 1843. They settled at once on the old Fuhrmeister homestead farm near Ely. 

FROM: Cedar Rapids Gazette, August 16, 1981  -  Forrest Fuhrmeister, 90, poses at left with the lad he helped raise, Mike Albaugh, 42, in front of a marker on Forrest's farm. The marker indicates that Forrest's great-grandfather, Christopher, settled in the Ely are in 1838. Christopher purchased Forrest's present farm in 1871.

(From the same 1981 article) The original Banner Valley Post Office sits in Fuhrmeister's back yard, a memento of days when the area was known as Banner Valley rather than Ely. Settlers in the 1840s and 1850s would stop at the one-room cabin to pick up the mail.

BANNER VALLEY POST OFFICE 

In 1871, Christopher Fuhrmeister purchased the present farm from George Stream, also an early pioneer.

From: (1956) HISTORICAL STORY OF THE FUHRMEISTER AND STREAM FAMILIES
- By Luther Andrew Fuhrmeister

In 1853 my maternal grandfather, George Stream, (pictured on right) came from the state of Ohio and purchased the land now owned and lived on by Forrest Fuhrmeister. I remember this anecdote coming from the lips of my mother Lucinda Stream Fuhrmeister. "Stage coaches ran right by our house and the drivers would stop to feed and water their horses and leave mail to be distributed to settlers in the community by her father George Stream. ... The stage coach drivers would pick up any outgoing mail left at the Stream home. Therefore it can be truthfully said that my grandfather George Stream was the first one active in the capacity of postmaster in the south part of Linn county.

This post office was known as the Banner Valley Post Office. Below is a very early photo of the house that was once on the farm. There are also two photos of a part of the house, which still stands on the farm, and is designated as the Banner Valley Post Office.

 

FROM THE ELY CENTENNIAL BOOK:

BANNER VALLEY POST OFFICE, 1856-1866
In the year of 1856 a Post Office was established about one half mile South of the present site of Ely. The Banner Valley Post Office was short-lived.  November 27, 1856, George H. Walker was appointed the first Postmaster.  George Stream received an appointment as Postmaster on December 24, 1859.  The third and final appointee was Alexander Gillmore, receiving his commission December 15, 1864.  On July 23, 1866, the Banner Valley Post Office was discontinued.

THE ELY POST OFFICE, established May, 1871

Application was made by Samuel A. Stream (pictured at right) to the United States Post Office Department for a Post Office to be established near the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad, ten miles South of Cedar Rapids and to be known as the Ely Post Office. The application was signed by Samuel A. Stream and verified by W. H. Shuey, Postmaster at Western College, Iowa, on April 20, 1871. The Ely Post Office was established on May 16, 1871, at which time President Ulysses S. Grant commissioned Samuel A. Stream as Postmaster. He served as Postmaster for three years and one month.

 

 

 

St. Joseph Day in Ely, 1949

For many years the town of Ely's population consisted mostly of people who originated in what is now known as the Czech Republic. One of Ely's customs was the celebration of St. Joseph's Day on March 19th. St Joseph is the patron saint of the Czech people.

From the Solon Economist, March 24, 1949.Click the article to enlarge it.

Thanks to Ed Vavra for sending the original of this photo for us to see. Ed is the son of "Little Joe" in the photo! Click to enlarge it.

FRONT ROW: Joe W. Kadlec, Joe Denk, Joe Lorenc, Joe Vavra, holding his little grandson, Joe Vavra, son of Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Vavra, Joe Holets, Joe M. Becicka and Joe Simon, Rt. 2, Cedar Rapids.

BACK ROW: Joe Becicka, 2234 Fruitland Blvd, Cedar Rapids, Joe Krivanek, Rt. 2, Cedar Rapids, Joe Hajek, Rt. 2 Solon, Joe Topinka, 200 C Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Joe Stastny, Joe Melsha, Joe Buresh, Rt. 2 Cedar Rapids, Joe Stroleny, Rt. 2 Cedar Rapids, and Joe Zbanek.

 

Solon Economist, Thursday, March 24, 1949

Ely 'Joes" Observe St. Joseph's Day
By Katherine Worley

Just like the rains seem to uncover mushrooms in the spring, March 19 brought out in our community every man identified by the name of Joseph to take part in a festive celebration honoring the Saint's name.

On Saturday night in the I.O.O.F. lodge hall the Josephs congregated again to observe St. Joseph's day in much the same manner as they have for many years. Business men and retired farmers from miles around gathered to take part in a custom that was brought over from the old country.

The oldest Joseph in Ely, Joseph Becicka, a retired lumberman, is the only man who came over to this country as a child who can remember how the patron saint's day was celebrated in the Czech country. He has told his friends over here that it was the custom in the villages to go out and serenade the Josephs and Josephines and collect a few cents for refreshments. There were always a few fellows who could play instruments, and they went along with the serenaders.

The Ely Josephs for several generations have gone around the town serenading the Josephs and then after gathering up the crowd, would congregate at the lodge hall for refreshments. But now they have eliminated the serenading and had the entire celebration at the hall.

Instigators of the celebration called out the local Odd Fellows band to liven up the occasion and play familiar Czech tunes during the evening.

Joseph Holets, local banker, said he helped to commemorate the patron saint for over 50 years. He played the drum in the band. He remembers when "the boys used to come to the farm to get his father, the late Joseph Holets, Sr., and how he tagged along as a small boy for the whole affair.

Because the Josephs had such a dim future before their 1948 celebration, with no "Little Joes" to carry on as they have been doing for so many generations, Holets offered a $25 war bond to the first little Joseph born in the Ely community.

Just one month from the day the offer was made, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Vavra of Ely, and he became the winner of the bond offer. He was named Joseph after his grandfather, Joseph Vavra, also of Ely. Little Joe Vavra accompanied his grandfather Saturday night and was initiated into the realms of the Josephs on their special day.

Eighteen Josephs attended the affair, twice as many as last year. Several Josephs made a special effort to attend so that the celebration of the saint's day in their honor would not die out in the local community. However, Ely's longtime resident, Joe Novotny, shoe cobbler, Joseph Becicka, Joe Havilicek and Joe Kremenak were unable to attend because of illness. Kremenak remembers that the celebrating at Ely used to start at his home, because there were three Joes in his family, and he has been instrumental in keeping up the precedent.

The entertainment included card playing, visiting with old friends, topped off by dancing and refreshments. For the last three generations the women never attended the celebrating, but this year each Joseph asked his "Mrs." to come along.

The Josephs attending were: Joseph Simon, J.M. Becicka, Joe Holets, Joe Vavra, Joe Lorenc (oldest Joseph attending), Joe Denk, Joe W. Kadlec, Joe Melsha, Joe Statsny, Joe Topinka, Joe Hajek, Joe Krivanek, Joseph Becicka and Little Joe Vavra.

Other Odd Fellow friends in the community also took part in the affair and helped the Josephs celebrate.

 

Below is a 1953 photo of "Joes" sent by Ed Vavra,
again showing "Little Joe" sitting on his grandfather's lap. 

Identities:
BACK ROW 1. Joe Stroleny  2. 
FRONT ROW:  1. Joe Kremenak 2.         3. Joseph Holets 4. Joe Vavra with "Little Joe" Vavra on his lap"  5. Joe Simon

Another photo perhaps from 1954/1955?

1923 News Article

If you want to learn about the early history of Ely, here's your chance! Why not take some time and read about the early days. 

(A link to the article is at the bottom of this post.)

The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette published a full page spread on the town of Ely on August 4th, 1923 entitled

"ELY - It's Community One Of The Oldest In County"
- by John R. Battin

(Some of the headings on the page are ...)

Town founded with coming of railroad in 1872
but first settlers near there in 1838.
--------------
Samuel Fackler, 93, who came in 1840 recalls stirring events of early days;
Fuhrmeisters also among first who pioneered there, are prominent.
--------------
New school house is being built; Town has own light plant;
Say business is good
--------------
(J.C.Dvorak) Active in civic affairs; Gained fame as "Barefoot Mayor" when in office ten years ago;
(F.J.Krob) World War Veteran Present Town Executive

Sub-headings are:

(Under Samuel Fackler)
Lives in One-Room Cabin
Simple Diet
Oust Speculators
Met Frontier Justice
Ferried to Cedar Rapids

Mrs. Fuhrmeister, Pioneer
Prominent Family

Goes Barefooted (J.C. Dvorak)
Prominent Odd Fellow
Town Laid Out in 1872

Bank Organized

War Veteran Is Mayor (F.J. Krob) 

Photos are titled
"Some Pioneers and Street Scenes of Ely"
"New Schoolhouse"

 There is also information on many businesses then in Ely.

Click here to access the article.
It is located on Google Drive and if you hover your cursor over it you'll see a "+" sign that you can use to enlarge the article to make it readable.

About Ivanhoe and the Wolfe family

We all know about Ivanhoe Road that you encounter when you head north out of Ely on Jappa Road. But many may not know that this is a very old road. It once was more of a trail used by early pioneers, and was named Ivanhoe because of the Ivanhoe Ferry that was used to cross the river at what is now Highway 1 south of Mount Vernon. And it was the Ivanhoe Ferry because there once was a town there.

From: History of Linn County, 1878:  Ivanhoe was laid out as a town in 1838, and found and noted by the government surveyors in 1841 on the line between sections 29 and 30, Franklin Township, on the north bank of the Cedar River.  It was on the old Dubuque and Iowa City road and had a post office from 1845 to 1849.

According to the 1911 History of Linn County Ivanhoe was never platted, but was only a squatter town. "Colonel Merritt kept the first store at Ivanhoe for parties in Rock Island.  This town had better prospects of becoming a great city than any other town in the county.  It had a good river frontage, a rich country around it, plenty of timber and good water, and had the government road besides. For some unknown cause the place seems to have been ignored when Marion and Cedar Rapids began to flourish."  (p. 271 vol. 1)

More about Ivanhoe at the "Dungherder"s blog - entitled "Abandoned Iowa: Ivanhoe"

Portraits and Biographical Album of Linn County, Chapman Bros., 1887.
THE WOLFE FAMILY AND IVANHOE FERRY & VILLAGE

DANIEL D. WOLFE, one of the highly esteemed and prominent residents of Franklin Township, occupies a fine farm on section 31. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1837. His father, John Wolfe was also a native of Ohio, and emigrated to Iowa while it was still a Territory. His grandfather, also John Wolfe, was a native of Pennsylvania and a descendant of German ancestry. He removed to Ohio at an early day, and located in Seneca County, where he remained the balance of his life and passed to his rest in 1855.

JOHN WOLFE, the father of our subject, was reared on his father's farm in Ohio, and married in the county of his birth, the maiden name of his bride being Miss Annie Dildine, also a native of the Buckeye State, and born in Fairfield County.

JOHN WOLFE came to the Territory of Iowa in 1839, and made a claim in Cedar County, where he remained until the following year, and then returned to Ohio for his family, which consisted of his wife and four children. They made the journey overland to their new home and located upon the claim, which, however, they only occupied for a short time.

Mr. Wolfe had visited Linn County in the meantime, and concluded that he could secure a more desirable location there. He accordingly made a claim on section 12 of what is now Bertram Township, but removed the following year. He then made a third claim on Cedar River, which comprised a part of sections 27 and 31.

He also purchased the ferry which was used to cross the river at this point, and as he surmised, a village soon sprang up at this point, which was named Ivanhoe. He erected a large boat-house, fitting up a part of it for a habitation, opened it to the public, and kept the first pioneer "hotel" in that region. He continued thus occupied the greater part of the time until his death. He entered his land from the Government, erected a dwelling-house on section 31, and when not engaged with his hotel business employed his time in the cultivation of his land.

At the time of his death, in 1854, he was living at the brick hotel in Ivanhoe. His widow survived him several years, and died on the home farm on section 30.

Mr. Wolfe was a prominent man in his community at that early day, and a leader among the early pioneers. He was the first Justice of the Peace in this section. The household of Mr. and Mrs. John Wolfe included nine children, six of whom grew to be men and women: Rhoda, the eldest daughter, married J.S.F. Bryney, and is now deceased; Sarah R. became the wife of G.W. Harvey, and lives in Washington Territory; the next son was Daniel D.; a daughter, Melissa A., married Aleck Gregory, and they live in Missouri; Laura A. became the wife of George Klinick, and they are residents of Linn Township; Squire W. was the youngest son.

DANIEL D. WOLFE was a child of three years when he came with his parents to Iowa, and may properly be said to have grown up with his county. He was still but a boy when deprived of a father's care, and he made his home with his mother until his marriage, which occurred in January, 1860. The lady of his choice was Miss Elizabeth Dill, a native of Knox County, Ill., and daughter of John and Mary Dill. At the time of his marriage he was running the ferry across the river at Ivanhoe, carrying on business which his father had established there a number of years previously. 

Click to enlarge the map:
In this 1869 map of Franklin Township, Linn County you can see
where the Ivanhoe Ferry crosses the Cedar River as well
as "D & W Wolfe land holdings on the east side of the river.

In 1863 he sold his ferry and engaged in farming, three years later removing to Solon, Iowa, where he engaged in the grocery trade. After two years he went east to Seneca County, Ohio, having disposed of his grocery, and was there engaged in the timber tract, getting out ties for the railroad which was then being built, and at which he was occupied for a space of eighteen months. In the meantime his brother, Squire, had purchased the ferry, with which he had heretofore been connected, and our subject going back to Iowa, became joint manager of the old business until the building of the bridge. It was again called into requisition on account of the bridge being carried away by high water, during which they ran the ferry one year. Since that time the brothers have been continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits, and have become joint proprietors of a farm which contains 480 acres, and comprises a part of sections 19, 30, 31 and 32. 

Mr. and Mrs. Daneil D. Wolfe have become the parents of four children --John D., Isa B., Thomas L., and Gracie G.

SQUIRE W. WOLFE is unmarried, and has made his home with his brother Daniel since he has been associated with him in business. He was born in Franklin Township in 1844, and remained with his mother on the old homestead until her death.

The brothers Wolfe are gentlemen still in the prime of life, and with a prospect of many years and continued usefulness. They are classed among the solid citizens of Franklin Township, and are among the leading men of the community. They are honorable and upright in their business transactions, and their farming operations are carried on with system and good order. Their homestead is a model one and an ornament to this section of country.

      

 Wikipeida says: Unlike other towns founded around that time on the Old Military Road, Ivanhoe faded away; many of its residents relocated to Mount Vernon, Cedar Rapids, or Marion. The February 1921 edition of The Palimpsest describes the area as having been "a refuge for horse thieves and dealers in counterfeit money", though it is unclear whether that was during the time that the town existed or afterwards.

Besides the cemetery there are no standing structures left of the old town. 

Ivanhoe Cemetery at Find-A-Grave

Graves at Ivahoe Cemetery

 

Location of Ivanhoe Cemetery off Highway one before the bridge over the Cedar River
Click to enlarge

 

Nevin Duffe's contributions to Ely

Lloyd Duffe, a former Ely resident who moved to Columbia, South America, phones me (Barb) off and on about Ely history. He recently called to say that he had written a history of his dad, Nevin Duffe, that he wished to add to his collection at the Ely Community History Archives. I think this story also deserves to be published for people to read. Nevin certainly did contribute a lot to the Ely community in the 48 years he lived there. Here is his story.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

To The Ely Historical Society,

    The "Jim Miller Citizen of the Year Award" was started in the town of Ely, Iowa, in 2018 for present residing citizens who have demonstrated exceptional community participation. I feel past and deceased citizens who have contributed a great deal to the town also deserve remembrance.

    I therefore want to add information about My Father Nevin W. Duffe to various pieces of historical information my wife Nidia and I gave the Historical Society, when we left the Ely area in 2005. Nevin was a highly civic minded resident of Linn County and Ely for over 50 years.

    Nevin Duffe was born February 8, 1908 at Wilton Junction, Iowa. He attended Burr Oak country school until the age of 8, moving from a truck farm to Wilton Junction and attending the Wilton Public schools until graduation from High School.

     During his early boyhood years he did garden work mowed lawns, sold the Grit magazine and the Saturday Evening Post.

     He drove an oil truck for his father during the Summer during High School, making deliveries. During this time he also helped his father remodel their home. He was active in sports earning a total of eight varsity letters in football, basketball and track. In track he was one of the best distance ( half & mile runners) in the State. He also sang in the Glee Club choirs and taught a young boys Sunday School class and took this class on hikes and outings.

     Nevin gave up an opportunity to go on to college in Pella, Iowa after graduating from High School in 1927. His coach L.A.Winters went from High School to College coaching at Central College, Pella in 1928 and wanted to help Nevin attend there and participate in athletics. Instead he started to work substantially to help his older brother Jacob Duffe financially, in finishing his last two years of pharmacy school studies at the State University of Iowa in 1928 and 1929.

     Nevin worked his first Summer out of High School on a road gang filling slips and scrapers. He then started in carpenter work and formed his own business by 1931. In addition, many evenings he worked in a carpenter shop, where he designed an early roller type overhead garage door and a sump pump. During this time he began buying the business from the owner who was retiring.  

Nevin and Florence Duffe about 1931

It was a very good year, plus Nevin married Florence Booth, the mother of his two sons Lloyd and Ronald and who he celebrated nearly 59 years of marriage with!

     1932 was unfortunately a year to be remembered! Money was tight and building became non-existent. From 1932 till 1937 Nevin worked throughout four Eastern Iowa Counties, where any kind of work was available, His wife Florence and son Lloyd altered living with both the Duffe and Booth Grandparents. 

     In late 1937 he was able to make Linn County his permanent residence, first living in College Township. He designed a new type of country school for the College Township District called Rose Hill. Much work on the school required Federal government WPA worker participation. A huge crew of workers ( many with little building experience) made properly completing the project a real challenge.       

     Carpenter work was slowly picking up in College and Putnam Townships. In March of 1942 he moved my mother, me and brother Ronald who was born on June 20th 1941 to a rented acreage in Ely on the corner of Fuhrmeister and State Street. This is where he would live for over 48 years, until passing away on May19, 1990.
    

An early photo of the house on the corner of Fuhmeister and State Streets.

During the years as a building contractor from 1937 till 1973, he drew and designed most of the structures that he built. This covered agricultural, light commercial, churches and quality homes. Among those the Ely Lutheran Church (finished the summer of 1951, an expansion at First Presbyterian Church near Ely (1958) and expansion and improvement of the Hill Crest Country Club in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

     Besides his work in his Construction Company over the years, he was active in numerous community activities in both Ely and Linn County. He was instrumental in helping form local softball teams, donating his property for use of a softball field for many years, where the Ely Minor is now located. He also coached the local Putnam Pals 4-H basketball team, that were County and Eastern Iowa Champions in tournaments held in 1949 and 1950. 

     He worked for the formation of the College Community School District and was chosen as the first President of the Prairie High Booster Club. He was also active in political, social and fraternal work over the years that involved many community activities.
     He served on the Ely Town Council. Was a past President of the old Ely Public School Board. Mayor of Ely from 1960 to1972 and worked for acquiring the old Ely school for what is now the Community Center. He was a PastGrand and 50 year member of the I.O.O.F Lodge of Ely. During the 12years he was mayor, Ely started and developed its first city water and sewer systems. 

Nevin and Florence Duffe, 50th wedding anniversary, 1981

In later years and during retirement he served on the Linn County board of appeals, and served two terms as a delegate from Linn County on the Older Iowan’s Legislature. He was also on the Ely Planning and Zoning Committee and the Linn County Agency on Aging.

     The Ely Retirement Manor became a reality, when my parents donated 50% of the value of the their property that was used for the project, which allowed the community to qualify for a low interest 50-year government loan that made this development a reality.

     I feel my Father Nevin and his many activities during his 82 years of life, was a tribute to his love of family, community and country. That what he and other civic minded leaders did in the past, helped make Ely the community it has become today.

     I was also fortunate to have had the home life that I had with a lifelong housewife like my mother in charge. Florence Booth Duffe had two years of nurses training after graduating from Grant High School in Cedar Rapids in 1929.

    Marrying my Father in 1931 with the worst years of the depression about to set in, would alter her life for many years to come. She would continue to be a homebody housewife the rest of her life, with more than enough additional duties along the way, to keep a person busy 7 days a week! 

     She was Dad’s secretary, book keeper and check-writer for his business until he retired. Running the household through these difficult economic times and this additional involvement in his business did not leave time for a great deal of social involvement, although she was a charter member of the women’s Rebekahs arm of the I.O.O.F Lodge of Ely.

     Her most note worthy involvements from the mid 1970’s till she passed away on April 3, 1999, was volunteer work at the Ely Library, and the congregate meal site at the Community Center. Ely was blessed with a number of ladies, some in their 80’s and 90’s serving the needy, many who were much younger. The day she was hospitalized and fell seriously ill she had been working at the congregate meal sitet till early afternoon of the same day.

     Here again I feel blessed to have been a product of the Greatest Generation! The young adults of the 30’s and 40’s who instilled in me the guidance and underpinning that allowed me to live a much better and easier life do to their guidance.

Sincerely, Lloyd M. Duffe

 -----------------------------------------

Nevin Duffe obituary from Solon Economist, He died May 22nd, 1990

Old area photos

Thank you to Sharon Furler for submitting these old photos. Two of them appear to be taken at a school, most likely at the Buresh (originally Bureš) School which used to be located just south of the present First Presbyterian Church near Ely, on Spanish Road.

It could be that they are from George Motycka, who used to live near the church and Buresh School.

 Click the photos to enlarge them. Once enlarged, if you click it again,
it may enlarge more!

A teacher and her students (back of the photo says "George Motycka, 1904)

Inside the school. (back of photo says "Charlie, June 17, 1904)

No description on the back of this photo. The women at the top of the photo appears to be the same as in the first photo ... the teacher.

 1911 photo of Buresh School

This 1914 map slice shows where the Buresh School was located in College Township, Section 35.

Men of Ely

Click on the photo to enlarge it.
You may also be able to click on the enlarged photo to make it bigger.

This photo of men in front of a tavern in Ely, complete with their beers, may be familiar to some. Perhaps your parents or grandparents happened to mention who the men in the photo are?

UPDATED: At present the only known identities are:
 - 3rd from the left - Joseph Dvorak (aka JC Dvorak), the "Barefoot Mayor" of Ely, behind the big man's shoulder. He ran Dvorak Implement and Hardware Store on the corner of Dows and Main Streets, across from the present Ely Post Office.  
 - 4th from the left - Ely druggist Joe Lorenc
 - 7th from the left - Probably Louis Francis Konicek, (the tall young man)

We are looking for identities of the other men. Please help us out! If you know where the tavern stood we'd appreciate knowing that as well.



 

Henry Carse - blacksmith in Shueyville

From: Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa, History (Volume 2). Author: Clarence Ray Aurner. Publisher: Western Historical Press, Cedar Rapids, IA. 1913

HENRY CARSE

"The honest blacksmith" is not a term which is lightly applied 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 dominant traits of character, as vouched for by his neighbors of over half a century, are truth, honesty, temperance, and industry. 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 Pinley, 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 come to America with her parents and settled in the same county. William Carse was a farmer, and followed that calling 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 present 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 Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois ; Nancy, deceased ; John, living on the old homestead in Illinois; Sarah Ann, who was twin to 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 dealings with many hundreds of people. Every customer and acquaintance 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 venerable couple are held in high esteem by their neighbors and friends of Shueyville.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Original source unknown/ Taken from notes of Joy LaVonne Douty Williamson on ancestry.com

Henry Carse, a pioneer resident of Jefferson township passed away at his home at Shueyville on Friday last November 1, 1918.  A man well known in the community and beyond and widely respected as neighbor and citizen.  The funeral was held from the United Brethren Church and conducted on Sunday afternoon, November 3, 1918.  Rev. George Bennett of Iowa City, an old time friend of the family presided.  The hour was two o'clock and a large company gathered to pay a last tribute to the memory of an excellent man.

In addition to Mrs. Carse, the widow, and her two daughters, the following immediate relatives and friends of the family were present:  Thomas Carse of Cleveland, Ill., Miss Mary Carse and Miles Carse of Geneseo, Ill., Mrs. McCarthy of Emmetsburg, Mr. and Mrs. Wethro of Geneseo and Mrs. Sherman and Mrs. Carr of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The preacher based his remarks on the words from Holy Writ.  "Until the day break and the shadows flee away" and in connection therewith spoke of the man who had passed and gone from their midst.  He had prepared a brief sketch of Mr. Carse and this was presented to the audience as follows:

HENRY CARSE, October 25, 1832 -  November 1, 1918

Henry Carse was born on a farm at West Salem, Wayne County, Ohio, on Oct. 25, 1832, this making him 86 years and a few days old at the time of his death. When a lad he moved with his parents to Geneseo, Ill.  Later he became an apprentice as a blacksmith and came to Shueyville and worked at his trade as a young man and hoofing it there, it is said, on foot.

Returning to Geneseo, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Brown of Madison Co., Ill. on May 5, 1861 and in the fall of 1865 moved to Shueyville where he and his good wife have lived ever since.

Three children have been born to the couple:  Henry Carse of Foster, Nebr., Alice A. now Mrs. George Graham of Lohrville, Iowa, and Jennie E. or Elvie now Mrs. Frank Sherman of North Yakima, state of Washington.

Mr. Carse was of sturdy, wiry build and had enjoyed generally rugged health down through the course of his long life.  He was fond of work and loved his trade.  He had no sympathy with loafers or slackers.  Though naturally during later years his strength had declined, he was finally well up through the middle of August.  On the 15th day of that month, however, he went into his garden to mow some weeds, which proved too much for him.  He sprained his wrist (Note:  Henry Carse told that his father cut his arm on barbed wire and infection kept the wound from healing) and this apparently simple hurt so affected his general health as he never quite rallied from it.  As the weeks passed he became weaker, and taking to his bed, gradually and steadily the flame of life grew less in volume till on Friday morning last it ceased to burn and the wheels of existence were still.  Part from weakness these last weeks of life seemed free of intense pain.  At any rate, if he felt it, he did not show it and was very docile, and an uncomplaining patient--very good to take care of, and very responsive to the loving ministration of a devoted wife and two dutiful daughters who had all three been his constant attendants for eight weeks previous to his decease.

A marked feature of his illness was the possession of clear mental faculties to the last, and an ever present cheerfulness that was closely associated with this.  As a true patriot, he was live to the nature of the great struggle his country is making for Christian liberty in the world and only a week since inquiring what had been done in his name for the purchase of liberty bonds, was gratified when informed that his had been liberally attended to.

Seven years ago in June was celebrated the golden wedding of Mr. Carse and Mrs. and their son and two daughters were present to congratulate them on the suspicious event, the proceedings being on the lawn of the old home. It was a happy occasion and practically every family in the neighborhood was represented. An address was given to the assembled company by the minister of the United Brethren Church resident in the village at the time, congratulating the worthy pair on having reached this important milestone in their lives.

Henry Carse came to Shueyville soon after its settlement as village and thus may be regarded as a Johnson County pioneer and one who has known the county at a record period of its history.  He will sleep in the cemetery on the hill, where he properly belongs, his earthly testimony being written here in the community and the lives of its residents, testimony of industrious and worthy citizenship.

The town of Shueyville has an interesting history.  It was laid out in 1856 by James Shuey.  The Shuey's came from Virginia bringing with them colony of folk who settled in northern part of Johnson Co.  They came before the railroad had been built into Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The below map shows Henry Carse's land.

1937 Fire Truck

 

Click the image to enlarge it.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette, December 20, 1937

RURAL FIRE TRUCK IN USE AT ELY
It has paid for itself already, declared Mayor Lorenc as this picture of the rural fire truck at Ely was taken recently. The machine cost farmers of the Ely community approximately $3,500 and has been used three times since it was put in use last spring. Frank Krob, elevator manager is fire chief. Mr. Krob is shown at the wheel. Mr. Lorenc stands beside the truck at left and a third man is one of the farmer-owners of the machine, Ralph Smith.

Read about the history of the Ely Fire Department (off-site link).

Ely Firemen

A couple photos of Ely firemen.  Thanks to the identity help from Ely residents on the Ely Facebook group, I found an article in the Monday, May 28, 1956 Cedar Rapids Gazette of the top photo.  It reads: 

NEW HELMETS, NEW TRUCK FOR ELY FIREMEN - Members of the College-Putnam Townships volunteer fire department at Ely proudly display new equipment - which ranges from new safety helmets to a brand new fire truck. Picture was taken Saturday. In the photo are (front row, left to right): Ed Vavra, Bob Zeman and Dan McCune. Standing are (left to right) Assistant Chief Bill Hajek, Bill Kadlec, Bob Malatek, Ed Jones and Duane Tobias.

     Click the photo to enlarge: 
Back Row: Assistant Chief Bill Hajek, Bill Kadlec, Bob Maletek, Ed "Sunk" Jones,
and Duane (Toby) Tobias.
Front Row: Ed Vavra, Bob Zeman and Dan McCune, former Chief.
 

Click the photo to enlarge it.

1. Ed Vavra , 2. Bob Zeman  3.Dan McCune, former Chief  4. Assistant Chief Bill Hajek
5. Bill Kadlec  6. Bob Maletek, 7. Ed "Sunk" Jones, and 8. Duane (Toby) Tobias

Read about the history of the Ely Fire Department (off-site link). 

Ely I.O.O.F. portraits

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Individual portrait photos of 49 early members of the Ely I.O.O.F. Lodge #581. Believed to be from around the turn of the century, early 1900s.

*Denotes black ribbon for deceased member

Numbered from top, left to right.

1. L. Clark, 2. L. B. Calder, 3. *M.E. Mann, 4. J. Lorenc,
5. C. Vanorny, 6. F. Elias, 7. G. J. Fleming, 8. A. Hoppe, 9. J. Smith, 10. F.J. Krob

11. *Ed Rogers, 12. L. Davis, 13. F.H. Hoppe, 14. F.W. Borghart, 15. W.A. Cairns, 16. Cal Smith, 17. J.C. Baylor, 18. Fackler (no first name), 19. H. Upmire (Upmier)

20. *G.W. Smith, 21. W.J. Dvorak, 22. A.J. Minor, 23. J.O. Clark, 24. J. Tomlinson, 25. J.C. Dvorak,
26. P.H. Fuhrmeister, 27. J. Becika (Becicka), 28. J.W. Kadlec, 29. *G.W. Stansbury

30. *A.F. Stewart, 31. L. Stanek, 32. W.J. Kadlec, 33. G.D. Clark, 34. F. Dolezal, 35. F.J. Koss, 36. H.W. Smith, 37. M.D. Vanorny, 38. F.B. Vavrichek (Vavricek), 39. *L.G. Booth

40. R. Smith, 41. R.F. Smith, 42. W.R. Cairns, 43. D.C. Fackler, 44. *J.M. Worthington, 45. J. Kremenak,
46. John Lorenc, 47. *Wm. Umbdenstock, 48. W.H. Caryl, 49. C.C. Clark

Ely I.O.O. F began in 1893.

Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, Friday, June 2, 1893
ODD FELLOWS AT ELY
A New Lodge Instituted at That Place Last Night- Large Delegation from This Place in Attendance - Handsome Treatment by the Ely Brothers

Ely lodge No. 581 has been instituted at Ely by Grand Master Geo. W. Murphy, assisted by a number of members of the Cedar Rapids lodge. Mr. Murphy and his assistants went down on the afternoon train and by supper time they had installed the officers and duly instituted the lodge.

The officers chosen are as follows:
J.C. Dvorak, noble grand.
Frank Svacha, vice grand.
E. L. Matthews, secretary
Joseph Tomlinson, Jr., treasurer
Frank Dolezal, guardian

In the evening still another delegation arrived from Cedar Rapids and the first session of the new lodge was held. Seven candidates were initiated into the subordinate degree. Short speeches were made by several present, when at 10:30 the party repaired to Mr. DeVaults hotel, where an elegant and substantial supper was served to the forty or more present. The Ely people left nothing undone to add to the pleasures of the visit. Their lodge starts out with fine prospects. The new members are the best young business men and farmers and they take hold of the lodge work with much enthusiasm.

Among those present from this city were George B. Murphy, J.A. Bye, George Lightner, H.E. Fisk, P. Myers, C. Fordyce, Frank Tisher, J.D. Blain, George Stauffer, G.W. Lutz, Charles Weare [? hard to read], Mr. Callaban, Oscar Solomon, Charles E. Inman, Cal Stout, J.M. Haines, David Brant, Dan F. Anderson, Henry Washburn and Chas. Nechuta.

Is this your family marriage?

LOOKING FOR FAMILY who may want this certificate. Marriage of Albert Jansa of Western, Iowa and Josie Krivanek of Shueyville, Iowa. married 24 April 1906 at Iowa City, Johnson County, IA by Justice of Peace F.J. Horak.

Please email us at the email address on the right column.

1863 Jozef Kostlan letter to Bohemia

If you had ancestors that came across the ocean from Bohemia to Linn or Johnson County, you may be interested in reading an 1863 letter, written by Joseph Kostlan to his family and friends in Bohemia.

He tells of crossing the ocean, arriving in America, taking a train to Chicago, arriving in Cedar Rapids and going to his friends the Janko and Rousar families, both of whom lived near what was to become Ely, Iowa.

Kostlan's wife Anna's maiden name was Janko so she was no doubt related to the Janko family.  According to the 1910 United States Census, Joseph Janko (age 54) and his wife, Anna, immigrated to the United States in 1855.

Some of the "local" last names he mentions are:
 Janko, Roušar, Honzik,Vitek, Benes (Benesh), Hromatko, Korab, Rolenc, Louvar, Netolicky, Drahos, Vavra, and he lists Kun as the minister of the "Protestant church".  I believe this church is the Bohemian & Moravian Brethren Church, now the First Presbyterian Church near Ely, Iowa.  It was established in 1858, but did not have a church building until 1868. Until then they met in a Lutheran church just south of Ely, a fact that Kostlan describes.

In the 1880 United States Census Kostlan is listed as a farmer living in Fairfax township, Linn County, so he apparently did purchase land. His older children have no doubt married by this time.

1880 United States Census, Linn County, Fairfax Township
KOSTLAND
Joseph - age 45 - farmer - born in Bohemia
Anna - age 46 - wife - keeping house - born in Bohemia (I believe Anna's maiden name is Janko.)
Frank - age 15 - son - works on farm - born in Iowa
Wensel - age 14 - son - at school - born in Iowa
Louis - age 11 - son - at school - born in Iowa
Mary - age 7 - daughter - at school - born in IOwa
Edward - age 3 - son

On to the letter!

From University of Minnesota, Digitizing Immigrant Letters
Description:  Letter written by Jozef Kostlan from Linn County, Iowa, to his relatives in Bohemia on December 26, 1863.  Read the background of this letter and see another letter at https://ihrca.dash.umn.edu/dil/letters/jozef-kostlan-letters/

Note:  TRANSLATION:

In Linn County, December 26, 1863. A letter from America. 

Our dearly beloved fathers, sisters and brother, brothers- and sisters-in-law, uncles and aunts, cousins, godfathers and neighbors, friends and every- one we know with your husbands and wives as well as children, we are greeting and kissing you one hundred thousand times, hoping in God that these lines of ours, longingly awaited, will be delivered to you while you are alive and in good health. As for ourselves, praised be God forever, we are all alive and healthy, and how we have been so far we would like to let you know.

The entire journey from Pardubice to Bremen was very enjoyable since we could not stop wondering at all things and occurrences that we saw. We spent four days in Bremen; it is a very large free city or republic, about four miles around.

From there, early in the morning on the 3rd of September, we, along with our luggage, embarked upon four sailboats. Each of them held about two hundred people, and another, a steamboat, towed us out. The sailboats were tied to it in such a way that we could walk from one to another without fear, and at about two o'clock in the afternoon we sailed into Bremerhaven where they moved our luggage chests to the ship. We were there overnight, and then early in the morning a steamboat towed us into deeper water. Bušek and the inn keeper with whom we had stayed, along with two clerks from the Office who had inspected us previously, all escorted us, and before long the steamboat left. Our escort also boarded a small boat, and then we waved our hats with wishes for health and a safe journey, saying good bye to them and to one entire continent.

The first day was smooth sailing, everyone was on the deck, watching the hills of Europe and ships that were sailing not far from us also heading for America and England, 19 of them. I do not know if [Page 2] they all carried emigrants, but of the two sailing from Bremerhaven one was full of Germans, the other had a mix of passengers; there were six families of Bohemians from Kutná Hora, the rest were all Germans. There were over four hundred souls on our ship.

The next day it began to rock us so unpleasantly that we could not fall asleep, and just over half of us were choking or throwing up. The crew, or sailors, were nailing and tying down the luggage chests to the posts to prevent them from tipping over. It then first occurred to us that much worse times are awaiting us, but thanks to God the voyage was good. But there was always a day or two when it was rocky, and then it was calm again. This lasted for two and a half weeks, and then it was fine all the way till the end.

My weak stomach and constitution were giving me troubles for three and a half weeks. So much so that I could not eat, and as soon as I raised my head, it started spinning, and my stomach was turning, but then I got used to it and food tasted good again. Francek was also in bad shape, although not as long. Anna and Krystýna were also down for about four days, but at least they were not throwing up or were not too sick. Jozífek and Anička were throwing up constantly. That is how it is on a ship, there is fear and stench, thirst and hunger. Thirst and hunger one could have helped, but I am disgruntled over the fact that those who have gone before us did not tell us well enough about it, and they never replied to my last letter.

On the anniversary of the Zderaz church consecration, it was Saturday. White loaves of bread were passed out to us, and they tasted as good to us as the holiday pastries to you. There was [Page 3] a fellow travelling with us who had a concertina. On that Sunday the sailors were having their third music party. They were dancing, and the German passengers with them, for they feared nothing even when the luggage chests were rolling about and water was splashing into the ship. They were just laughing. Well, there is no need to be afraid, for everything is arranged in such a way that no danger can come up easily, and no one can escape God’s will anyway. Among all of us aboard no one died except the Mlejnek’s girl and also one of the German’s. A good sailing ship costs as much as the entire village of Zderaz, and steamships much more than that, and there are hundreds of those ships, especially in New York.

On the day of the smaller consecration holiday in Zderaz we reached the desired shore, and there we remained at anchor for 24 hours. Then we really could not stop wondering at the steamships, moving on the water faster than trains on rails. Everyone had forgotten about their suffering, and many were jumping with joy when they saw the flat ground and the beautiful huge city.

Our sea voyage lasted forty days. Then we travelled six days in America by rail. We arrived in Chicago, which is a very large trading city – the railroads reach it from seventeen directions, and there are already over one hundred and seventy-five thousand souls, all Czechs, living there.

On the morning of October 20th, we safely reached Cedar Rapids. The Jankas (Janko) were going to have a music party. Honzik was delivering beer barrels, so we were able to get a ride with him, and at once they prepared a feast for us. They have a nice house, three rooms, and so many horses and ox teams, cows and a lot of pigs. They are doing very well, and they are sending a hundred greetings to all their friends.

When Roušar learned that we were there he [Page 4] came to get us right away, and then we had a good time again and we have ever since. This year the Roušars lost two mares with colts. They also have a large house, one mare, one colt, and three mules. They are stronger for pulling loads, and more expensive than horses, and last up to a hundred years. They have nine head of cattle and over forty pigs. In one day we have just slaughtered fourteen of them for sale. They each had two hundred fifty pounds (140 kilos).

Vítek and I helped Jozef with building the farm, he also has nine head of cattle. I have visited Vítek as well, also the Beneš’s, Odvárkas, Hromatkas, they are all healthy and well. They all send their hundreds of greetings to their friends. They are about ten miles (your style) from the Roušars. The area around the Roušars here are is full of Czechs, and from near you, such as Koráb from Borová, Rolenc from Voldříš, he is also sending greetings to his friends. Louvar and Netolický; Skutyčka and others who are unfamiliar to you. The English are people especially honest and good-natured when one can talk with them.

Do not blame me for not writing for so long for I thought I would first look around here, maybe even buy something, but so far I have not bought anything. Prices will not go up now with the war. Gold is very well regarded here. In Bremen we got 42 American gold dollars for one hundred Austrian guldens. In paper we would get a third more so we are by far better off than when the Drahoš’s went, since the currency has become stronger in Bohemia and weakened here. So they did not make anything on their money.

The journey from home all the way here cost about one hundred Austrian guldens for one adult, with approximately one hundred fifty pounds of luggage (80 kilos). [Page 5] One could do it for even less than that. So, if anybody asks, I will write everything from the beginning to the end, how to arrange things to great benefit. To invite you to join us here – that is a very difficult thing because without your own desire or wish, all convincing is in vain. Second, I do not know whether God would bring you here safely. Third, it is still the same here with the war, the state of Iowa is required to send 13,300 men. Fourth, not sure whether you would like it here as much as I do for all of the good things that you are lacking, such as good land in great abundance, come also with many difficulties.

To describe how everything works here, I would have to write much only based on hearsay, and you know that people are of many different opinions, so I will allow myself some time and, God willing, if I can stay alive and healthy here for one entire year, I will relate everything to you then. For now, I will try my best according to my knowledge and conscience.

In the vast surrounding area here, the land is similar to the fields of the Vávras, but you will not find a stone on it. It is good ground, in some places up to twelve feet of good soil. Everything grows here, and new soil is easily broken here since there are no forests, only nice meadows. The prairie is plowed by a big plow pulled by four teams of oxen. It is done in June or July, that time is said to be very hot. It works so well that in the spring they sow wheat directly in it. Less seed is needed here for everything, and it yields more. Everything here is done by machines. Roušar also has a cutting machine together with his neighbor.

Cattle does not require much, there is enough to graze on in the summer. [Page 6] And in the winter they can be fed corn straw. Cattle are always kept outside during the winter, but for horses there are stables.

The weather is very strange here, at one moment terrible cold and lots of snow, then suddenly there is a thaw. But the winds are stronger here since there are no high mountains, wind can blow freely, and there are fewer forests as well. Cattle of all kinds can be found here and as big as yours. Only I have not seen goats yet, but they do raise them in some states.

In this state the wild game is different, no deer, hares are smaller, but pheasants and partridges are plentiful and they are more expensive than farm raised poultry. In other states it is all different, for America is very large. The state of Iowa is as large as the entire Austrian empire, and there are 32 such states. And there is still room for entire new states. So if all of Europe moved here, it still would not be as crowded as it is for you. In some places there are forests just like yours, they are very old and now being turned into fields as well. But how? They are set on fire and the wood burns all the way to the roots. We saw a lot of this on the way here.

Tell Koks that there are mills here, both steam- and water-powered, working the same way as your steam-mills. There is also a Czech miller nearby who has set up a mill although he did not come here with much. There is a lot of work for him around here so he is rather wealthy. They charge twice as much for milling here as they do in your country.

I can’t think of a better way for children but to come here, since work is paid very well here. A craftsman does not earn all that much more than laborer. [Page 7] A laborer earns 1 Austrian gulden during the winter, 2 in the summer. During harvest up to 3 guldens plus meals. When a 17-year-old lad goes into any trade, the first year he gets one hundred guldens, 150 the second year, and 200 the third year. A girl can go to the city and earn 150 guldens. She does not do anything besides laundry and housecleaning, and she will get good food too. Women here wear long dresses and hats or caps. A regular farm hand makes 200 guldens. So we can’t really complain, we should rather be joyful.

To make a long story short for farmers, especially those who work hard, it is much better here than in your land. Women have it especially nice here, although they do not have a house as large, and men are not dressed as fancifully, they do have a table with food that would be hard to get in your land. And if someone would want to have a life like here, their farm could only support it for two years. If people here were as frugal, they could save more here than there. Except for food, everything is twice as expensive here. For about 1200 Austrian guldens, one can get a nice 40-acre farm with cultivated land and a house. An average horse is 200 guldens, ox 60, cow 40. A three hundred pound pig (170 kg) costs 30 guldens. A measure of wheat (94 liters) is 3 guldens, corn 1.80, barley 2.30, oats 2.

I do not have more to write, so I am greeting the Kopeckýs and all friends. One more time we are sending you one hundred thousand greetings and kisses and wishing you a happy new year. And if perhaps this letter is for some of you our first and last, especially you, our old father, since according to human understanding your grave is perhaps drawing nearer, so rest your gray head in peace and take consolation in your descendants reaching their happy destinations, and hope that after not too long a time our dear God will re-unite us. I will end my letter with that. I am leaving you to God and console myself in the hope that in a short time your dear written lines will reach us again. Jozef and Anna Kostlán, Franc Kostlán. Krystýna Janko.

[Page 8] Religion is of multiple varieties here, but mostly Evangelical (Protestant), Catholic believers are as numerous as Jewish in your land. No one is prevented from worshiping in their own way, everyone can praise God the way they want. We go to an English church but in the afternoon since the English go in the morning. The Roušars go there with us, and the other day Mrs. Beneš was there also. The only holidays celebrated here are the first day on New Year’s and Sundays, no other holidays. There is a preacher here from Moravia, a certain Kůn, he is a wise man and a good orator, so in many ways he is above your pastor. The church is about one hour away.

Tell teacher Jarošovský that there are not many prospects for him here, for there will not be any Czech schools established here – unless he would like to start another life. And you sister, please let me know how you parted with father Jarošovský and what he told you on the way and if they would not like to send us some news. Please tell us how they are doing. I am also greeting Vince, wherever he is and how he is doing. I would invite you here, for my first wish would be to see you again. But now I’d rather wait to see how it is going to end up with the war. Meanwhile I will settle down so that you could come and join me. If you have shed any tears for us, you can dry your eyes now. It’s been going well for us, and if it is God’s will for us to meet again, then we will talk about what we are holding in secret now. Therefore I wish you all good health and be well, may the Lord be with you.
Jozef Kostlan

If Busek has sent a letter to you do not pay too much attention to it since it is not as he says. When I get a good idea of how things are here, I will tell you better than that.

(Read the background of this letter and see another letter at https://ihrca.dash.umn.edu/dil/letters/jozef-kostlan-letters/)