Biography of LOUIS WILLIAM URBAN

An excellent farm property on section 12, Howard township, in Howard county, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner, Louis William Urban, who has for a long period been identified with the agricultural development of northern Iowa. He was born in South Dakota, June 21, 1884. a son of Wencel and Mary Urban, who are natives of Bohemia but came to the United States in childhood days with their parents, both families settling in Wisconsin, where the father and mother became acquainted and were married. They lived for some time in Wisconsin following their marriage and thence removed to South Dakota, while in 1890 they came to Howard county, Iowa, where Mr. Urban purchased the present home farm of his son, Louis William, comprising one hundred and forty-seven acres of land situated on section 12, Howard township. He afterward bought another farm of one hundred and sixty acres cornering upon his home place and on this property he resided until 1907, when he turned the farms over to his two sons and removed to Lourdes, where he has since lived retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits.

Louis William Urban, after pursuing a district school education, devoted his attention to farm work and thus gained practical experience which has been of great value to him in carrying on his farming interests in later life. In 1907 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Falada, a native of Howard county and a daughter of James F. Falada, one of the early settlers of this part of the state, who is still living and now makes his home in Howard township. After the marriage of Louis W. Urban his father removed to the city and the son took charge of the home farm, which he continued to cultivate as a renter for five years, while in 1911 he purchased the property that he now owns and is further developing and improving.

To Mr. and Mrs. Urban have been born eight children, as follows: Wencel, Francis, Clara, Helen, Aloysius, Cledith, Anna and Mary. The parents and family are members of the Catholic church and in political faith Mr. Urban is a democrat. He has never sought or desired office, however, for he has always preferred to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business interests and his diligence and industry have been the basic principles upon which he has built his success.

History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties,
By Robert Herd Fairbairn (Published 1919 - Volume II)
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois
Transcribed by Bernie Glienke