JAMES DVORAK.

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         James Dvorak, who owns and cultivates an excellent farm of three hundred and fifty-two acres in Union township, was born in Bohemia on the 8th of September, 1854. His parents Vexclav and Barbara (Adam) Dvorak were born and married in Bohemia and there they resided until 1872. Emigrating to the United States in the latter year they remained for six months in Baltimore, migrating from there to Chicago. After a two years’ residence in the latter city they again started westward, Iowa being their destination. They settled on a farm in Washington county and there the mother died in 1884. The father then came to Louisa county to make his home with his son, with whom he was living at the time of his demise on the 14th of March, 1903. Of the nine children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Dvorak six passed away in Bohemia, while they lost two more after locating in the United States, and thus the son James is the only surviving member of the family.

         The first eighteen years of the life of James Dvorak were spent in his native land in whose common schools he obtained his education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age at which time he was married and began for himself. Thrifty and industrious he had carefully saved as much of his wages as he could, which sum he had invested in fifteen acres of land. He now cultivated this in connection with some other land which he had rented, but at the end of a year he disposed of his interests in Washington county and removed to Louisa, where he rented for three years longer. At the expiration of that period he invested in two hundred and eighty-six acres of land, but shortly thereafter he sold one hundred and twenty-six acres of this. He now owns three hundred and fifty-two acres of finely improved land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. In addition to the tilling of his fields he raises and feeds stock, which venture has proven to be very remunerative. When he first settled on his homestead the improvements were very crude; the house which was built of logs contained but one room; and all of the other buildings were equally poor. He has erected a comfortable residence, new barns and outbuildings, thus having added greatly not only to the appearance but the value of the property.

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         It was on the 9th of January, 1882, that Mr. Dvorak was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hosek, whose birth occurred in Bohemia in March, 1863. She came to America when a child of four years with her parents who located in Washington county, where her father engaged in farming until his death in July, 1892. The mother is still surviving and continues to make her home on the farm, which contains two hundred and forty acres of excellent land. Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hosek: Joseph, who passed away in 1905; Mary, now Mrs. Dvorak; Annie, who married Joseph Lear of Washington county, now living on the old homestead; and Frances, the wife of Frank Skubal, of Washington county.

         Unto this union of Mr. and Mrs. Dvorak there have been born eleven children: Joseph William, who was born May 7, 1882, and for his wife took Neva Waltz, a native of this county, where they continue to reside; Mary Frances, who was born February 2, 1884, the wife of Elmer Pearson, of Clay Center, Kansas; Anna B., born January 7, 1886, who married Theodore Rath, of Washington county; James, who was born December 14, 1887, and is still at home; Rose, born October 4, 1889, the wife of George Longquist, of Louisa county, Iowa; Frank, born June 9, 1892; Amelia E., who was born March 1, 1894; Clara Matilda, who was born March 7, 1896; Helen Agnes, born August 18, 1898; Alby, born February 10, 1901; and Nora, whose birth occurred September 11, 1903. All of the members of the family are at home with the exception of the four who are married.

         The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally Mr. Dvorak is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in Columbus Junction Lodge, No. 365. In politics he is a democrat but has never been an office seeker. Mr. Dvorak, who owns one of the valuable properties of the township and is recognized as one of the prosperous agriculturists, has won his success through close application and tireless energy.