Soukup, John J. 1862 -

SOUKUP, CHEITK, ZOULEK, KNUTZ, MEKISH, FISHER, SWHLE, SHEVIK, LUZUM, HEROLD, BERRY

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 3/13/2005 at 08:34:29

A native of Austria, John J. Soukup was brought by his parents from that country to Winneshiek county, where they located in 1868, and here he was ever since made his home, attaining success along agricultural lines, now owning a valuable farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres on section 11, Sumner township. He was born in the Austrian Empire, May 21, 1862, and is a son of Frank and Mary (Cheitk) Soukup, natives of Austria, who came to America in 1868, locating in Calmar township, near Spillville, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits and where he passed the remainder of his life until his death, which occurred on November 1, 1896. The mother died about a decade later, on the 22d of February, 1906. To their union were born five children; Frank, who remains on the old homestead in Calmar township; John J., our subject; Joseph F., of Sumner township; Martin, of Decorah; and Celia, the wife of William Berry, of Chicago.
John J. Soukup was reared under the parental roof and remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, when he rented one hundred and twenty acres in Sumner township, farming there for about twelve years, or until 1897, when he bought his present farm, comprising one hundred and fifty-four acres on section 11. He has ever turned his labor to good account, has undertaken a number of valuable improvements and has enhanced the value of his farm in various ways. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, driving a gratifying income from both undertakings.
On November 23, 1885, Mr. Soukup was united in marriage to Miss Josie Zoulek, a daughter of John and Mary (Knutz) Zoulek, natives of Austria, who came to Iowa in 1864. The father for many years followed farming but was a stone mason by trade. He died in July, 1893, but the mother is still living at the age of eighty-four and makes her home with her son, John J. Mr. and Mrs. John Zoulek became the parents of ten children: Mary, the wife of Joseph Mekish, of Spillville; Joseph, who died in childhood; Annie, who married John Fisher, of Spillville; Rosie, deceased; Katie, the wife of Fank J. Soukup, of Calmar township; Josie, the wife of our subject; Tena, the wife of Clements Herold, of Sumner township; Fances, the widow of Joseph Swhle, of Spillville, John J., of Sumner township; and Lena, the widow of W.J. Shevik, of Spillville. Mr. and Mrs. John J. Soukup have six children: William F., born August 30, 1886, of Lincoln township; Emma, born October 18, 1888, at home: Mary, born March 26, 1891, the wife of Joseph Luzum, of Calmar township; Martin, born August 7, 1893,, at home: Carl, whose natal day was Apri 8, 1896, and who resides at home; and Louisa, born January 13, 1904, also at home.
Mr. Soukup is a devout communicant of the Catholic church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic part and he is now serving as township assessor, while he has also done valuable work as a member of the school board. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, taking an interest in all that affects the community and ever ready to support worthy public enterprises.

Source: History of Winneshiek County Vol.11