Emiel Novotne
Crawford county can claim many substantial and progressive men who have demonstrated their business ability and integrity and appear to be competent to fill any position to which they may aspire. To this class belongs Emiel Novotne, who occupies a well improved farm in West Side township, which gives evidence of his thoughtful attention and yields annually abundant returns for the time and labor expended upon it.
He was born in Carroll county, Iowa, October 7, 1877, a son of Jacob and Petronella (Vosta) Novotne, who were natives of Bohemia. They came to America and after living in Johnson, Carroll and Sac counties, Iowa, were attracted to Crawford county, where they established their homestead. Mr. Novotne engaged very successfully in agriculture and stockraising until his death, which occurred in 1896. The beloved wife and mother passed away in 1902. Their ten children are all now living.
Educated in the public schools, Emiel Novotne continued at home until he reached manhood and then rented the home farm for two years. He managed his affairs so successfully that he was then able to purchase eighty acres on section 9, West Side township, which be has developed into one of the valuable farms of that locality. He devotes his attention to general farming and stockraising with very satisfactory results.
On the 22d of October, 1902, Mr. Novotne was united in marriage to Miss Ada Richardson, who was born in Jackson township, March 28, 1880. a daughter of James and Elizabeth Richardson, both of whom were born in England. Mention of them is made in the sketch of Charles Richardson, which appears elsewhere in this work.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Novotne has been blessed by the birth of a son, Francis, whose natal day was November 16, 1904. He is now a highly promising lad.
Mr. Novotne has never allowed his interest to be absorbed by politics to the detriment of his private affairs but as a patriotic citizen he votes for the principles that he considers most essential in the advancement of the permanent welfare of the country. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party and has served with special ability as member of the school board and also for three years as road superintendent. His upright and straightforward life commends him to all with whom he comes into contact. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church, a faith in which they were reared, and by their neighbors and acquaintances are held in high esteem.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.