Anton Michalek

MICHALEK

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 11/17/2006 at 10:01:23

Anton Michalek is extensively engaged in farming in Worth county. His home place is situated on section 20, Union township, and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision and the practical and progressive methods which he follows in the conduct of his farm work. Iowa claims him as a native son as well as a representative citizen, his birth having occurred in Plymouth, Cerro Gordo county, on the 31st of December, 1884. His parents are John and Barbara (Frana) Michalek, both of whom are natives of Bohemia, the former born in 1842 and the latter in 1847. They came to the United States in early life, Mr. Michalek arriving about 1866, while Mrs. Michalek crossed the Atlantic to the new world about 1871. They were friends of the Hunchis family in Bohemia and came with their parents to the new world. The Michaleks made their way direct to Worth county, settling in the same neighborhood as the Hunchis family, while the Frana family took up their abode in Cleveland, Ohio, and it was to that city that John Michalek returned for his bride. After reaching manhood he enlisted for active service in the regular army and was stationed at Fort Laramie, Wyoming. He returned from there direct to Cleveland, Ohio, was married and brought his bride to Iowa, the young couple beginning their domestic life in Falls township, Cerro Gordo county, where Mr. Michalek purchased a farm, upon which he resided until 1911. He then removed to Necedah, Wisconsin, where he and his wife now reside. He has retired from active business and is enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.

Anton Michalek, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the public schools of Rock Falls and his youthful days were spent in the usual manner of the farm-bred boy who early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On the 27th of January, 1909, he was united in marriage to Miss Lena S. Hunchis, a daughter of Joseph Hunchis, one of the early pioneers of Worth county, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his son, George Hunchis. After his marriage Mr. Michalek and his bride took up their abode upon the old Hunchis home farm, for it was necessary that she remain at home and care for the father and mother. Mr. Michalek then cultivated a part of the old homestead and also another farm which he rented, thus operating two hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land. After the death of her parents Mrs. Michalek acquired by inheritance one hundred and seventeen and two-thirds acres of the old homestead and this land Mr. Michalek still cultivates. He is also operating the S. J. White farm of one hundred and sixty acres and is thus one of the active and progressive agriculturists of Union township. Moreover, he has extended his efforts into other fields of business and is now a stockholder in the Bank of Plymouth and a stockholder in the Farmers' Cooperative Creamery Company of Plymouth. His life has been characterized by unfaltering diligence and perseverance and his career has been one of activity and usefulness, bringing to him a substantial measure of success.

To Mr. and Mrs. Michalek have been born three children: Goldie K., Claudia M. and Frank J. Mr. Michalek votes with the republican party and he and his family are members of the Methodist church. His life has been guided by high and honorable principles and his record has ever conformed to advanced standards of manhood and citizenship.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, Pages 607 & 608.