ZEMANEK, V. F.

ZEMANEK, VACHA, LIBERSKY, ADAMS

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 6/27/2009 at 12:39:47

For forty-three years V. F. Zemanek has been identified with farming interests in Mitchell county and is widely and favorably known in St. Ansgar township, his home being on section 16.

He was born in New York city on the 4th of January, 1865, and came to this state in the spring of 1874 with his parents, Vincent and Barbara Zemanek, both of whom were natives of Bohemia. They were born at Kuttenburg but were married in New York city, where they resided until 1874, when they started westward with their family and took up their abode in St. Ansgar township on the old Machacek place, where they lived for nine years. They then removed to the place upon which their son, V. F. Zemanek, now resides and the father devoted his remaining days to the further cultivation of the farm. He died November 11, 1905, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years, and was laid to rest in St. Ansgar cemetery, while his wife died in April, 1890, at the age of fifty-eight years.

V. F. Zemanek, their only child, began his education in the schools of New York city and afterward continued his studies in the rural school of St. Ansgar township, Iowa. When not busy with his textbooks he assisted in the work of the home farm and continued to reside with his parents until they were called to their final rest, with the exception of the years, from 1880 to 1886 inclusive, which he spent in the harness trade at St. Ansgar and Stacyville. After the death of his parents he took charge of the home place and has since given his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement. He was busily engaged in general farming for many years and is still connected to a greater or less extent with the improvement of the place, although much of the work of the fields is now being carried on by his son-in-law. His labors wrought a marked transformation in his farm, which is now a highly developed property and responds readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it. It is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and the latest improved machinery facilitates the farm work.

On the 8th of January, 1889, Mr. Zemanek was united in marriage to Miss Thrisie R. Vacha, of Conover, Iowa, where her parents, who were of Bohemian descent, remained until they were called to their final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Zemanek became the parents of three children: Georgia, who is the wife of Frank Libersky, of St. Ansgar township; Wilma, who is the wife of Walter Adams, of Mitchell township; and Irma.

Aside from his farming interests Mr. Zemanek has been connected with public affairs in St. Ansgar township. He served for twelve years as treasurer of his school district and he was active in organizing the Mitchell County Co­operative Association and served on its first board of directors. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen, also with the Z. C. B. J., the Western Bohemian fraternal association, of which he has been secretary since 1904, at which date a local lodge was organized. He is also a charter member of the Royal Neighbors. His interest in community affairs is that of a public-spirited citizen who cooperates heartily in all plans and measures for the general good. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought, also with the trend of progress along agricultural lines, and whatever his success, it is attributable entirely to his persistent effort, intelligently directed. He has now lived in the county for forty-three years, during which period he has gained a wide acquaintance, and all who know him speak of him in terms of favorable regard.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 52.