Wattawa, John, 1828-1920

WATTAWA, ZEEMAN, ZEMAN, SLUKA

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/4/2016 at 21:19:59

From the Alton Democrat, August 21, 1920: Rock Valley news:

John Wattawa, Sr., an old and respected citizen, died at his home in Rock Valley on Wednesday morning, Aug. 18th, in the 91st year of his life, of senility. He was born in Bohemia, and when just out of his teens he came to America and located at Milwaukee where he plied his trade as a stone mason. A year later he was married and this union resulted in the rearing of a large family. Later he came to Iowa and engaged in agricultural pursuits and acquired competency for the decline of life. After coming to Iowa he lost the companion of his youth by death. Several years later he married Mrs. Kate Zeeman which relation was maintained till the close of his life. He was a good neighbor and friend and was held in high esteem by his associates and friends. The funeral services were held Friday morning at St. Mary's church conducted by the pastor, Rev. John O'Rielly, in the presence of many sympathizing friends, after which the remains were taken to Ft. Atkinson, Iowa, for interment by the side of his first wife. The family and relatives have the sympathy of their friends in their hour of sorrow.

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The Rock Valley Bee of August 20 takes note of his death but has no obituary. Most of the August 27 issue is missing.

FiindaGrave.com shows him buried in Saint Johns Catholic Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, Iowa, with wife Mary (1840-1896). The entry includes a photograph.

Family tree information on Ancestry.com shows him born 30 May 1828 in the Czech Republic, died 18 August 1920 in Rock Valley; spouse Marie Sluka (1840-1896); children Marie (1857-1930), Anna Katherine (1860-1933), Frank J. (1861-1912), Rose (1863-1921), Veronica (1865-1928), Elizabeth Jane (1866-1965), Annastazia/Stella (1868-1892), Sina/Lina (1869-1880), Theresa (1873- ), Emma (1875-1939), Joseph (1876-1928), John Peter (1877-1948), ad Charles John (1880-1956).

His second wife Kate's obituary (posted separately) includes supplementary information on the squabble between her and John's son Joseph over partition of John's estate. Her obit spells her previous surname Zeman.