FRANK NOVAK

NOVAK, HAJEK

Posted By: Joni Hindman (email)
Date: 10/11/2009 at 15:27:15

FRANK NOVAK, a farmer residing in Monroe township, on section 16, post-office address, Danforth; was born August 16, 1835, in Austria; came to America, and landed in Quebec, Canada, the 4th day of July, 1855, and he came to Solon, Johnson county, the same year, and finally bought the farm upon which he now resides January 16, 1861. He was married February 16, 1861, to Miss Barbara Hajek, of Monroe township. They have nine healthy children, all living, five boys and four girls: Joseph J., Frank, Matilda, Barbara, Wesley, Eddie, Emma, John and Allie. The family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a democrat in politics; has held the office of township trustee for nine years. He voted against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. He is the owner of 941 acres of land. He is one of the most extensive farmers in Johnson county. In 1876 the hog-cholera broke out, and he lost 600 head of hogs, 400 were fat, and 200 pigs, worth $6,000. He sold $2,100 worth of hogs in the June market, 1876, to the packing-house in Cedar Rapids. His crops for 1881: 275 acres of corn, 55 acres of wheat, got 600 bushels; 85 acres of oats, 2,500 bushels; 45 acres of rye, 614 l/2 bushels. His average crop of barley for ten years has been 700 bushels per year. In the year 1873 he raised 1,200 bushels of barley. In 1882 he only raised 200 busheis [sic]; has always sold to the breweries. His farms are well watered and well timbered. Source: History of Johnson County Iowa, 1836-1882, page 884.