Posekany, František M.

This is part of the ancestry of my adoptive parents. Click the tab in the upper left corner for more. My genetic ancestry can be seen here. Contact information is at the bottom of each page.

2g - František and Marie

1g - Anton POSEKANY (1878-1927)

grandfather - Milo W POSEKANY (1905-1961)

mother - Lois POSEKANY (1927-2009)

William HALOUPEK (1956- ) 

František "Franz" "Frank" M. POSEKANY (16 Oct 1840 - 5 Mar 1914) was born in Cetoraz (Zetoras), a small village in southern Bohemia, near Tábor and Pacov. 

Marie "Mary" MACEK (19 Mar 1846 - 29 Oct 1914) was born in Obrataň (Wobratein), another small village, less than 3 miles from Cetoraz. There is some doubt about her maiden name. Franz and Marie were married about 1868 in Bohemia, before immigrating to the US. 

They lived in Cetoraz, where they had 2 children. The family of 4 came to America in 1874, and settled on a farm near Chelsea, Tama, IA, where they had 6 more children. Three of the sons died in early childhood.

Several POSEKANY families came to America during the years 1874 to 1885. Some of them came from the small town of Cetoraz, Bohemia, and settled near Chelsea, Tama County, IA, so they were probably related, but the exact relationships have been hard to uncover. I will cover the other POSEKANY branches in other webpages, and here, I concentrate on František and Marie and their descendants.

František and Marie became Frank and Mary in America. The last name became POSEKANY, not using the Czech suffixes, as in POSEKANÝ, POSEKANI, or the female form, POSEKANA.

Obituary of František POSEKANY

This obituary was printed in a Czech language newspaper, somewhere in Iowa. The death date of 5 Mar 1914 is confirmed. The birth date of 1841 is close enough to 16 Oct 1840, which appears on other records. It also gives the birth place as Cetoraz, which is the same small town where two other POSEKANY branches originate. More evidence of a connection!

Thanks to Denny Slehofr for the translation, and Tessa Parisek for the image of the clipping. If anyone wants to see the original clipping, in Czech, or Denny's transcription before translation, please email me at haloupek at gmail dot com.

Frank POSEKANY was born 16 Oct 1840 and died 5 Mar 1915, age 74, as inscribed on his gravestone in Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Chelsea, Tama, IA.

Names of Mary

I've seen several last names for Marie. Perhaps she was married before Frank, but how many times? Or maybe Frank had more than one wife named Marie? We know who their children were, and their records give conflicting evidence.

• Marriage record for daughter Mary has her listed as Mary MACEK.

• Death certificate for daughter Mary has her mother as Mary VLACH.

• 1925 Iowa State Census has daughter Mary with mother Mary VLACH.

• Marriage record for son Anton has her listed as Maria TABOR. (Possibly a mix-up because they came from the Tabor region.)

• Death certificate for son Anton has his mother Mary TABOR.

• Marriage record for son Albert has her listed as Mary COBER.

• Biography of son Albert calls his mother Marie MACEK.

• Marriage record for son Charles has Mary FABOR or TABOR.

• Death certificate of son Charles has his mother as Marie VONDRAK.

• The obituary of son Charles lists his mother as Marie ULACH.

• Marriage record for daughter Agnes has her listed as Marie HRUSKA.

• Biography of Emil and Agnes (POSEKANY) BEHOUNEK calls her Marie VLACH.

• 1885 Census has Jim MATSAK, age 72, widowed, living with the family. He could be Mary’s father. MATSAK is probably a misspelling of MACEK.

Mary was born 19 Mar 1846 and died 29 Oct 1914, age 68. These dates are inscribed on her gravestone in Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Chelsea, Tama, IA.

Obituaries of Mary

The obituary below spells her birthplace Vrobatan. I can't find this on any maps. It must be Obrataň, a small village just 3 km from Cetoraz. It also establishes that František and Marie were married in 1868, and that she died in the home of her daughter, Mary (Posekany) Herejk, in Elberon, Iowa. (Actually, I think they had a farm near Elberon.) Newspaper unknown. The second obituary is shorter, but corroborates this fact. Neither mentions her maiden name.

Life in Bohemia

There was a F. POSEKANY who was awarded a Kriegsmedaille in 1880 by the Austrian Emperor, for service in the campaign against France in 1870/71, and in the Dutch East Indies. I don't know whether this is our František or not. If so, this award came after František immigrated to America, and he may not have been aware of the award. 

František and Marie were married in 1868, according to her obituary. The 1900 US Census, taken 9-11 Jun 1900, says they had been married 33 years, which puts the marriage between Jun 1866 and Jun 1867. The 1910 US Census, taken 15 Apr 1910, says they had been married 42 years, so Apr 1867 to Apr 1868. Their first child was born 11 Jan 1869. A good estimate for the marriage date would be late 1867 to early 1868. So František was about 27 and Marie about 21.

Their second child, Vincent, was born in 1871, probably in Cetoraz, and died in infancy. 

The third child was František Jr, born shortly before May 1874, since he was an infant on the ship's manifest. He died either on the voyage, or shortly after.

Immigration

František (called Franz) and Marie traveled on the ship Braunschweig, and arrived at the port of Baltimore on 23 May 1874, along with a 5 year old daughter Marie, and infant son, Franz. Franz Sr is described on the passenger list as a carpenter, but he became a farmer in Iowa. 

Also among the passengers on the same voyage was Wenzl MACEK, age 63, hence born about 1811, possibly Marie's father.

The Braunschweig was practically new, having been built in 1873. On the passenger list, the name is spelled POSEKANI. Once in the US, Franz and Franz Jr were both called Frank. Marie and Marie Jr were both called Mary. 

Above, part of the ship's manifest for the ship Braunschweig, which arrived at the port of Baltimore on 23 May 1874. Transcription:

Wenzl Macek 63 Male farmer
Anna Ernegar 25 Female
Ludmilla Ernegar 14 Female
Franz Posekani 33 Male carpenter
Maria Posekani 28 Female
Marie Posekani 5 Female
Franz Posekani infant Male

The ditto marks indicate that, like almost everyone else on the page, they were all born in, last resided in, and were citizens of Bohemia.

Life in Salt Creek, Tama, IA

How and when they came from Baltimore to Iowa is not clear, but they settled in Salt Creek Township, Tama County, Iowa, and bought a farm, northeast of Chelsea. As mentioned above, other immigrants from Cetoraz, including some other POSEKANY families, also came to this area.

They lived in Salt Creek the rest of their lives, and after 40 years in America, they never learned to speak English.

František and Marie's first child, Marie Jr, lived to old age. Their next three children, all boys, died in childhood. The information is conflicting. I think that, in some cases, they placed a stone as a memorial, even though the body is not there.

The obituary of Albert POSEKANY says “Preceding him in death were his parents; five brothers, Vincent, Frank, Joseph, Antone and Charles; and a sister, Mrs. John (Mary) HEREJK; and one grandchild, Donald Dean POSEKANY."

The History of Tama County, Iowa [HTC] 1987, section F839 gives dates: Vincent (1871-died in infancy), Frank (1873-1877), Joseph (1875-1877).

Anton Vencil POSEKANY was born 13 Jun 1878, in Tama County, according to his marriage license.

Albert Frank POSEKANY was born 24 May 1880 in or near Chelsea, according to his WWII draft card.

There is a 13-page document written by Shirley Ann (NOVOTNY) BEHOUNEK in 1970, that lists the descendants of Frank and Marie POSEKANY. It seems to be very carefully researched, using family information, and it was done before the internet made it so easy to transmit mistakes. Shirley wrote that “It is believed that some small children died on the way over to the United States.” Furthermore, she says that Vincent died in infancy and is believed buried in Dvorak Cemetery; Frank and Joseph died of diphtheria at age 6 and 8, and are buried in Stayskal Cemetery.

The 1880 US Census has the family in Salt Creek Township, presumably already on the farm they later owned. The son named Frank must be Anton, as Frank Jr had died in 1877. The "not named" son is Albert. 

Charles POSEKANY was born 20 Mar 1884 in or near Chelsea, according to his marriage license.

The 1885 IA State Census has the family still in Salt Creek, and further specifies that their farm is in Section 4, the N half of the SE quarter. The name is spelled POSEKENY.

It has 3 Mary POSEKENYs. The one listed after Frank is his wife, age 38. The 16-year-old is the eldest daughter, soon to be married, on 21 Nov 1885. 

The 48-year-old Mary POSEKENY could be Frank's sister. Also with the family is Jim MATSAK, age 72. It could be that MATSAK is MACEK, and Jim is Frank's father-in-law. He could be the Wenzl MACEK who immigrated on the same ship as Frank and Mary.

Agnes POSEKANY was born 24 Feb 1886 in or near Chelsea, according to her marriage license.

Unfortunately, the 1890 US Census was mostly destroyed by a fire.

In the 1895 IA State Census, the Ancestry transcriber has 'Saltcrsek' instead of 'Salt Creek', and 'Posckany' instead of 'Posekany'. Only 4 children were still at home. 

In 1900 Frank and Mary had the same 4 children at home as in 1895. There were 2 Aggie POSEKANYs because Anton had married Agnes "Aggie" STANEK on 14 Feb 1899, and they were living with his parents. The census confirms that Mary had 8 children, with 5 still living. Frank and Mary had immigrated in 1874, and all could read and write, but Frank and Mary were not able to speak English. I'm sure they were surrounded by Czech and German speakers, and didn't need English very much. Frank owned the farm, free of mortgage.

By 1908, Frank and Mary POSEKANY were ready to retire from farming. They had made their farm into one of the most prosperous in the area. When their son Charles married, they bought a house in Chelsea, and left the farming to him.

The letter above, dated 30 Mar 1909 in Chelsea, IA, was found among the possessions of Václav and Marie (POSEKANY) PISTULKA, who lived in Calhoun County, IA. I haven't established the exact relationship between Frank and Marie. See the POSEKANY BRANCHES page for more information. I think the author is our Frank M POSEKANY, although there was another Frank POSEKANY near Chelsea. He mentions that 'we are about to move to Chelsea', on 1 Apr 1909. He mentions that Charlie, presumably his son, has been ill. A translation appears below. 

Frank seems very religious, and writes only about religion, health and his move to Chelsea. It was common for retired farmers to move into town. The living was easier, with neighbors nearby, and healthcare was also more accessible. For Frank and Mary, it also meant that they would be able to attend the Catholic church in Chelsea every day. 

By 1910, the children had left home, and Frank and Mary lived in Chelsea. The census confirms again that they had been married 42 years, hence married about 1868, and Mary had 8 children, with 5 still living. Neither was able to speak English, but they spoke Bohemian.

They lived in Chelsea until Frank's death on 5 Mar 1914, age 73. Marie lived less than a year after that, and died 29 Oct 1914, age 68. She spent most of the half year with Anton or Mary.

The 1916 map of Salt Creek Township shows Albert POSEKANY's farm, in two pieces, about a mile east and a little south of Chelsea. (The name is spelled Prosekany on the map.) The farm of Charles POSEKANY, also in two pieces, is just east of Albert's. Anton's farm is north and east of Chelsea, about a mile and a half. 

Descendants of Frank and Mary

Frank and Mary had 8 children, but 3 of them died in early childhood. All stayed in Tama County. Brothers Anton and Albert Posekany married sisters Agnes and Josie Stanek. Although the brothers were only two years apart in age, their families had very different timelines.

For brevity: Chelsea, Elberon, Toledo and Clutier are villages in Tama County, IA, and Ch is Chelsea. Marengo is a village in Iowa County, IA. Cedar Rapids is a city in Linn County, IA. Marshalltown is a city in Marshall County, IA.

Frank POSEKANY b: 16 Oct 1840 in Cetoraz, d: 5 Mar 1914 in Ch, age 73
+ Marie MACEK b: 19 Mar 1846 in Obrataň, m: abt 1867 in Cetoraz, d: 29 Oct 1914 in Ch, age 68

... 1. Mary Sophia POSEKANY b: 11 Jan 1869 in Cetoraz, d: 23 Jun 1951 in Clutier, age 82
... + John HEREJK b: 20 Jun 1859 in Plzen, Bohemia, m: 21 Nov 1885 in Elberon, d: 24 Dec 1936 in Elberon, age 77
...... i. Mary Josie HEREJK b: 24 Mar 1886 in Irving, Benton, IA, d: 28 Feb 1965 in Marengo, age 78
...... + John Melvin SHANDA Sr b: 2 Nov 1880 in Tama, IA, m: 21 Feb 1905 in Tama, IA, d: 3 Mar 1969 in Cedar Rapids, age 88
...... ii. Joseph HEREJK b: 27 Apr 1888 in Vining, d: 6 Nov 1896 in Tama, age 8
...... iii. Edward HEREJK b: 4 Oct 1891 in Vining, d: 9 Nov 1896 in Tama, age 5
...... iv. Agnes Frances HEREJK b: 04 Oct 1897 in Ch, d: 29 Jun 1986 in Marengo, age 88
...... + Charles Joseph LEDVINA b: 18 Dec 1887 in Tama, IA, m: 13 Jun 1916 in Vining, d: 25 Sep 1984 in Belle Plaine, Benton, IA, age 96
...... v. Emma Katherine HEREJK b: 28 Oct 1901 in Vining, d: 2 Nov 1997 in Tama, age 96
...... + Emil Daniel VAVRA b: 26 Jan 1891 in Vining, m: 29 Jul 1922 in Marshall, IA, d: 10 Jan 1951 in Ch, age 59
...... + James Henry BOSTIAN b: 7 Mar 1896 in Ch, m: 14 Jun 1952, d: 1 Nov 1977 in Marshalltown, age 81
...... vi. Ella Blanche HEREJK b: 15 Jul 1905 in Vining, d: 9 Feb 2002 in Walford, Benton, IA, age 96
...... + Joseph Julius BATA b: 12 Apr 1900 in Clarkson, Colfax, NE, m: 14 Jun 1928 in Nashua, Chickasaw, IA, d: 12 Jul 1982 in Clutier, age 82
...... vii. Alice Rose HEREJK b: 15 Jul 1905 in Elberon, d: 3 Feb 1999 in Toledo, Tama, age 93
...... + William George NOVOTNY b: 10 Oct 1899 in Clutier, m: 19 Apr 1928 in Cedar Rapids, d: 7 May 1975 in Waterloo, Black Hawk, IA, age 75

... 2.Vincent POSEKANY b: 1871 in Cetoraz, d: 1871 in Cetoraz, age < 1

... 3. Frank POSEKANY b: 1873 in Cetoraz, d: 1877 in Tama, age 4

... 4. Joseph POSEKANY b: 1875 in Tama, IA, d: 1877 in Tama, age 2

... 5. Anton Vencil POSEKANY b: 13 Jun 1878 in IA, d: 21 Feb 1927 in Ch, age 48
... + Agnes M. STANEK b: 13 May 1881 in Poweshiek, IA, m: 14 Feb 1899 in Ch, d: Jun 1961, age 80
...... i. Frank E. POSEKANY b: 19 Nov 1900 in Tama, d: Nov 1975 in Marengo, age 75
...... + Amelia Brohec WESLEY b: 30 Mar 1912, m: 15 Feb 1942, d: Aug 1994 in Marengo, age 82
...... ii. Blanche Mayme POSEKANY b: 21 Oct 1911 in Ch, d: 27 Jan 1998 in Toledo, age 86
...... + Frank James SEVCIK b: 11 Jul 1911 in Carroll, Tama, m: 1 Feb 1937 in SJ, d: 13 Mar 2008 in Toledo, age 96
...... iii. Milo William POSEKANY b: 23 Oct 1905 in Ch, d: 12 Jun 1961 in Elberon, age 55
...... + Nora Willamina KRUEGER b: 25 Jan 1904, m: 26 Dec 1925 in Cedar Rapids, d: 1994, age 90
...... iv. Louis POSEKANY b: 1910 in Salt Creek, Tama

... 6. Albert Frank POSEKANY b: 24 May 1880 in Tama, d: 15 Sep 1957, age 77
... + Josephine STANEK b: 1 Mar 1879, m: 1 Jun 1903 in SJ, d: 18 Aug 1915, age 36
... + Josephine KLOBER b: 5 Nov 1887 in Dardanelle, AR, m: 26 Aug 1916 in Elberon, d: 25 Jul 1973, age 85
...... i. Mayme M POSEKANY b: abt. 1917, d: 1990, bur. in Ch, never married, age 73
...... ii. Leo Frank POSEKANY b: 6 May 1920 in Ch, d: 27 Jan 1994 in Cedar Rapids, age 73
...... + Mildred Alma CEJKA b: 11 May 1923 in Belle Plaine, m: 26 Aug 1941 in IA, d: 22 Dec 1989 in Grinnell, Poweshiek, IA, age 66
...... iii. Richard Stanley POSEKANY b: 29 Dec 1926 in Salt Creek, Tama, d: 2 May 1993 in Brooklyn, Poweshiek, IA, age 66
...... + Rosa Helena Dorothea GLANDORF b: 30 Mar 1927 in Williamsburg, Iowa, IA, m: 20 Apr 1952 in York, Tama, IA, d: 22 Apr 2010 in Grinnell, Poweshiek, IA, age 83 

... 7. Charles POSEKANY b: 20 Mar 1884 in Ch, d: 6 Aug 1941 in Iowa City, Johnson, IA, age 57
... + Josephine ADAMS b: 1 Mar 1886 in Ch, m: 2 Mar 1908 in Ch, d: 9 Feb 1957 in Ch, age 70
...... i. Mildred Marie POSEKANY b: 8 Apr 1910 in Ch, d: 27 May 2005 in Tama, age 95
...... + Sidney G. WHITSELL b: 14 Mar 1911 in Chicago, Cook, IL, m: 24 Feb 1936, d: 17 Nov 2004, age 93

... 8. Agnes POSEKANY b: 24 Feb 1886 in Ch, d: 21 Jun 1973 in Marshalltown, age 87
... + Emil Charles BEHOUNEK b: 16 May 1878 in Ch, m: 06 Jul 1903 in Ch, d: 25 Jun 1971, age 93
...... i. Edward E. BEHOUNEK b: 3 May 1904 in Ch, d: 1 Jul 1966 in Ch, age 62
...... + Agnes Marie KAUFMAN b: 3 Dec 1904 in Ch, m: 27 Oct 1925 in Ch, d: 3 Dec 1970 in IA, age 66
...... ii. Anna Agnes BEHOUNEK b: 23 Apr 1906 in Ch, d: 10 Sep 1980 in Hennepin, MN, age 74
...... + Emil  Charles POLKA b: 25 Dec 1906 in Tama, m: 28 Nov 1928 in Ch, d: 30 Dec 1968 in Hennepin, MN, age 61
...... iii. Emma Mae BEHOUNEK b: 30 Oct 1909 in Ch, d: 23 Feb 1997, Marshalltown, age 87
...... + John Norbert BENDA b: 7 Jul 1908 in Helena, Tama, m: 12 Nov 1929 in Ch, d: 28 Nov 1998 in Marshall, IA, age 90
...... iv. Leo Emil BEHOUNEK b: 7 Aug 1912 in Ch, d: 20 Apr 2003 in Ch, age 80
...... + Mildred Agnes SHEDA b: 23 Feb 1917 in IA, m: 27 Jun 1939 in Ch, d: 16 Oct 2010 in Belle Plaine, age 93
...... v. Wesley Charles BEHOUNEK b: 2 Nov 1916 in Ch, d: 30 Nov 1988, age 72
...... + Hazel Marie DAVIS b: 25 Oct 1918 in Benton, IA, m: 10 Oct 1940 in Newhall, IA, d: 29 Oct 2008 in Ch, age 90
...... vi. Marie J BEHOUNEK b: 27 Jun 1919 in IA, d: 1 Jun 2015 in CA, age 95
...... + Earl Lawrence CROSS b: 12 Aug 1914 in Ch, m: 28 Aug 1940 in CA, d: 2 Jun 1993 in NV, age 78

1. Marie Sophia POSEKANY was born on 11 Jan 1869 in Cetoraz, and came to America in 1874 with her parents and baby brother, where she was known as Mary. She died on 23 Jun 1951 in Tama County, IA, age 82.

Mary's three younger brothers died in early childhood, and in 1877, she was temporarily left as an only child. When Anton was born on 13 Jun 1878, Mary was 9, so there was a gap of more than 9 years between Mary and her surviving siblings. Mary was already married when her sister Agnes was born, and had her first child a month later.

Mary appeared with her parents and siblings in the 1880 US Census and the 1885 IA State Census, above. 

She married on 21 Nov 1885 in Elberon, Tama, IA to John HEREJK, born 20 Jun 1859, died 24 Dec 1936 in Elberon, age 77. So she was 16 and he was 26. They had 7 children from 1886 to 1905. The first child was born 24 Mar 1886, just 4 months after marriage, when Mary was just over 17 years old. The 2nd and 3rd children both died of diphtheria, just 3 days apart, in 1896. Mary lost 2 sons and 2 brothers in the same way. 

Like her parents, Mary Sophia had a daughter several years older than other children who survived, since 2 or 3 sons born after the eldest died in childhood.

John HEREJK (1859-1936) may have been the owner of the farm in York Township, above, in 1892. He and his father and grandfather were all named John, or Jan in Bohemia.

Mary and John are both found with their parents in the 1880 US Census and the 1885 Iowa State Census. The period from 1885 to 1900 has been hard to fill in.

In 1900 John and Mary were on the farm in York Township. They had 2 daughters, and lived with John's father, who was a widower. John Jr owned his farm, free of mortgage. Mary had had 4 children, with 2 still living. All could read and write, except the 2-year-old, but John Sr could not speak English. All had parents born in Bohemia. Both John Jr and Sr were naturalized citizens.

In 1910 John was still owner of his farm. The eldest daughter, Mary, had married and left home. There was a new pair of twin daughters, Ellie and Ellis. The census confirms that John and Mary had been married 24 years, on the first marriage for both, and Mary had 7 children, with 5 still living.

The 1910 US Census, above, has some mistakes. By comparing with later records, it is clear that Amil was Emma, Ellie was Ella, and Ellis was Alice. There was no son named Amil.

John retired from farming, and his death certificate (below) says that he last worked in 1910. By 1915, John had moved the family into the village of Elberon, still in York Township.

In 1920 they were in Elberon, and Emma was the only one employed. Comparing the 1910 and 1920 censuses, it looks like the son Amil has become daughter Emma, and Ellie has become Ella, and Ellis has become Alice.

In 1925 the twins were 19. John owned his home in Elberon, free of mortgage, valued and insured at $1,500.

In 1930, John and Mary were still in Elberon, and the house was valued at $1,800, on Second Avenue West.

Mary (POSEKANY) HEREJK  was known for crocheting beautiful aprons for her friends and relatives. It's estimated that she must have made more than 50. If you are in the family, and have a very old crocheted apron among your heirlooms, it might have been made by Mary. She was also an enthusiastic supporter of the local high school girls' basketball team, following them to the state finals. Mary was a great lover of flowers. She enjoyed life, in spite of all the hardships she endured. 

1. i. Mary Josie HEREJK was born 24 Mar 1886 in Salt Creek, Tama, IA. (Her obituary says she was born "west of Irving". The family farm lies between Chelsea and Irving, so she was probably born on the farm.) Mary died on 28 Feb 1965 at the Marengo Memorial Hospital in Marengo, Iowa County, IA, age 78.

Mary married on 21 Feb 1905 in Tama County, to John Melvin SHANDA, born 2 Nov 1880 in Tama County. She was 18 and he was 24. John died on 3 Mar 1969 in Cedar Rapids.

They lived in Benton County, IA, then came back to Salt Creek after 1930. They had 4 children, of whom 2 died in infancy.

1. i. Mary Josie HEREJK b: 24 Mar 1886 in Salt Creek, d: 28 Feb 1965 in Marengo, age 78
+ John Melvin SHANDA Sr b: 2 Nov 1880 in Tama, IA, m: 21 Feb 1905 in Tama, IA, d: 3 Mar 1969 in Cedar Rapids, age 88

... 1. i. a. Ella SHANDA b: 1906, d: 6 Nov 1906 in York, died in infancy

... 1. i. b. Edward Edison SHANDA b: 30 Apr 1909 in Irving, d: 12 Jun 1977 in Cedar Rapids, age 68
... + Lucille Katharine PECENKA b: 2 Apr 1908 in Belle Plaine, m: 16 Sep 1931 in Belle Plaine, d: 20 Dec 1986 in Belle Plaine, age 78

... 1. i. c. John Melvin SHANDA Jr b: 27 May 1922 in Irving, d: 23 May 2005 in Perry, IA, age 82
... + Marjory Beth SWANSON b: 21 Mar 1924 in Webster City, Hamilton, IA, m: 9 Sep 1947 in Webster City, d: 8 Nov 2011 in San Antonio, TX, age 87

... 1. i. d. Kenneth SHANDA b: 8 Aug 1923 in Irving, d: 9 Aug 1923 in Irving, age 1 day

1. ii. Joseph HEREJK was born 27 Apr 1888 in York Township, and died 6 Nov 1896 in Tama, age 8, of diphtheria.

1. iii. Edward HEREJK was born 4 Oct 1891 in York Township, d: 9 Nov 1896 in Tama, age 5, of diptheria.

1. iv. Agnes Frances "Aggie" HEREJK was born on 4 Oct 1897 near Chelsea, and died 29 Jun 1986 in Marengo, age 88. She married on 13 Jun 1916 in Vining, to Charles Joseph LEDVINA, born 18 Dec 1887 in Tama County, died 25 Sep 1984 in Belle Plaine, Benton, IA, age 96. 

Agnes was 18 and Charles was 28 when they married. They had 8 children, and lived in Salt Creek.

... 1. iv. a. Esther LEDVINA b: 18 Nov 1917 in Tama County, d: 20 Aug 1986 in Cedar Rapids, age 68
... + Leo Elmer HANSON b: 6 Dec 1911 in Brooklyn, Poweshiek, IA, m: 26 Jan 1939 in Marengo, Iowa, IA, d: 1990, age 78

... 1. iv. b. Edward George LEDVINA b: 22 Jan 1920 in Belle Plaine, d: 6 Dec 2002 in Cedar Rapids
... + Ruth Clara WIRSTLIN b: 7 Jun 1925 in Tama County, m: 18 Jan 1945 in Tama, d: 19 Apr 2009 in Cedar Rapids

... 1. iv. c. William V LEDVINA b: 5 Feb 1928 in Salt Creek, d: 11 Jan 2019 in Marengo, Iowa, IA, age 90

... 1. iv. d. Stanley Charles LEDVINA b: 17 MARCH 1931 in Irving, Benton, IA, d: 7 Mar 2023 in Toledo, Tama, age 91
... + Elsie Evelyn DUCHACEK b: 30 Jan 1938 in Elberon, m: 1958, d: 4 Feb 1982 in Cedar Rapids, age 44
... + Alma Freida WAGNER (VITEK) (BENDA) b: 17 SEP 1924 in Tama, m: 27 Sep 1985, d: 19 Oct 2015 in Bondurant, Polk, IA, age 91

Stanley and Elsie were married about 24 years, and he worked on her father's farm. After Elsie died, Stanley remarried. This was the 3rd marriage for Alma, and the 2nd for Stanley. A short biography of Alma with photos is here, Elsie here and Stanley here.

"Stanley was a well-known, respected farmer who embraced his Bohemia background by talking Czech and loved visiting with family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, hunting (especially mushrooms), and was an avid bowler; winning many trophies. He also liked playing cards, going to the casino, and taking road trips."

... 1. iv. e. Richard LEDVINA b: 7 Dec 1932 in Sait Creek, d: 2 Jun 2023, age 90 obit
... + Gloria Emma VERSPILLE b: 6 Apr 1940 in Brooklyn, Poweshiek, IA, d: 8 Feb 2021 in Flagstaff, Coconino, AZ, age 80

... 1. iv. f. Eugene K LEDVINA b: 15 Aug 1935 in Salt Creek

... 1. iv. g. Mary Ann LEDVINA b: 17 Aug 1937 in Salt Creek
... + Maurice Charles "Doug" DOUGLAS Jr b: 12 Mar 1929 in Madison, Poweshiek, IA, m: 1960, d: 19 Aug 2008 in Cedar Rapids, age 79 obit

... 1. iv. h. Charlene Agnes LEDVINA b: 16 Apr 1943 in Belle Plaine

1. v. Emma Katherine HEREJK was born on 28 Oct 1901 in York, died on 2 Nov 1997 in Tama, age 96. The 1910 US Census has Emma misidentified as a son, Amil, age 7. But there is no other record of Amil, and Emma is missing in 1910. Later records have Emma where Amil would be. 

Emma married (1) on 29 Jul 1922 in Marshall County, IA, to Emil Daniel VAVRA, born 26 Jan 1891 in Vining, died 10 Jan 1951 in Chelsea, age 59. She was 20 and he was 31 when they married. They had no children, and lived in Chelsea, where Emil was a produce buyer.

After Emil died, Emma married (2) on 14 Jun 1952, to James Henry BOSTIAN, born 7 Mar 1896 in Chelsea, died 1 Nov 1977 in Marshalltown, age 81. Emma was 50 and James was 56.

1. vi. Ella Blanche HEREJK was born 15 Jul 1905 in York, died 9 Feb 2002 in Walford, Benton, IA, age 96. Ella was called Ellie in the 1910 US Census.

Ella married on 14 Jun 1928 in Nashua, Chickasaw, IA, to Joseph Julius BATA, born 12 Apr 1900 in Clarkson, Colfax, NE, died 12 Jul 1982 in Clutier, age 82. They had 3 children, and lived in Clutier, Tama, IA, where Joseph was employed in the gasoline business.

,,, 1. vi. a. Leland Dale BATA b: 7 Apr 1929 in Clutier, Tama, d: 2 Nov 2002, age 73
... + Greta Loraine BALL b: 23 Nov 1933 in Plano, Appanoose, IA, m: 1953, d: 30 Jul 2017 in Clive, Polk, IA, age 83 obit

... 1. vi. b. Leroy Joseph BATA b: 8 Apr 1932 in Clutier, Tama
... +  Maxine Helen KOLASH b: 8 Aug 1934 in Clutier, Tama, m: 13 Jun 1957 in Cedar Rapids

... 1. vi. c. Janis Lee BATA b: 22 Jan 1939 in Clutier
... + Ronald Ray RAYMAN b: 21 Jul 1939 in Toledo, m: 13 Sep 1958

1. vii. Alice Rose HEREJK was born 15 Jul 1905 in York Township, died 3 Feb 1999 in Toledo, Tama County, age 93. Alice was called Ellis in the 1910 US Census.

She married on 19 Apr 1928 in Cedar Rapids, to William George NOVOTNY, born 10 Oct 1899 in Clutier, died 7 May 1975 in Waterloo, Black Hawk, IA, age 75. Alice was 24 and William was 28. They had 2 sons, and lived in Clutier, where William operated a gas station.

Ella and Alice were twins.

... 1. vii. a. Dallas Dean NOVOTNY b: 26 Sep 1928 in Clutier, d: 22 Mar 2012 in Charlotte, NC, age 83
... + Marjorie Ann HAMMER b: 17 Jun 1929, m: 17 Dec 1950, d: 24 Sep 2013 in Mecklenburg, NC, age 84

... 1. vii. b. Wayne Willson NOVOTNY b: 9 Feb 1932 in Clutier, d: 4 Mar 2020 in Madrid, Boone, IA, age 88
... +  Maxine Lorraine THOMAS b: 27 Apr 1931 in Des Moines, m: 1956, d: 22 Apr 2014 in Johnston, Polk, IA, age 82

2. Vincent POSEKANY was born about 1871 in Cetoraz, and died in infancy, about 1871, in Cetoraz. 

3. Frank POSEKANY Jr was born about 1873 in Cetoraz, came to America as an infant, and died of diphtheria about 1877 in Tama, IA, age 4. 

4. Joseph POSEKANY was born about 1875 in Tama, IA, and died of diphtheria about 1877 in Tama, IA, age 2. 

5. Anton Vencil POSEKANY was born on 13 Jun 1878 in Chelsea, and died 21 Feb 1927 in Chelsea, age 48. He married on 14 Feb 1899 in Chelsea, to Agnes M. "Aggie" STANEK, born 13 May 1881 in Poweshiek, IA, died in Jun 1961, age 80. 

Anton also had a sister named Aggie, so there were two Aggie POSEKANYs. 

Brothers Anton and Albert POSEKANY married sisters, Agnes and Josie STANEK, daughters of John STANEK and Anna VISTINE. See my STANEK page for more.

6. Albert Frank POSEKANY was born on 24 May 1880 in Tama County, probably on the farm near Chelsea. He died 15 Sep 1957, at age 77.  He  had two wives, both named Josie. 

He married (1) on 1 Jun 1903 in Elberon, to Josephine "Josie" STANEK, born on 1 Mar 1879, and died 18 Aug 1915, in Tama County, age 36. So they were married when he was 23 and she was 24. They lived on a farm in Salt Creek Township, next to his brother Charles. She died after 12 years of marriage, with no children. The cause of death is listed as "acute dilation of heart with acute nephritis tumor". In other words, kidney failure. She had a large tumor removed less than 2 months earlier. 

Albert married (2) on 26 Aug 1916 in Elberon, to Josephine "Josie" KLOBER, born on 5 Nov 1887 in Dardanelle, Arkansas, died 25 Jul 1973, in Tama County, age 85. So he was 36 and she was 29. They had 3 children, and were married 41 years when he died. 

In 1920 they lived on their farm in Salt Creek Township, near Chelsea. This census listed birthplaces of parents. Albert's parents were born in the Tabor ( Tábor) region of Bohemia. Josie was born in Arkansas, and her parents were from the Pilsen (Plzeň) region of Bohemia. Mary (later called Mayme) was 2 years and 5 months, and since the census was taken in Jan 1920, her birth was about Aug 1917, in IA.

They were family #40, and family #41 was Albert's brother Charles, and his wife and child, who farmed nearby.

The 1925 Iowa State Census has the family in Salt Creek. Albert owned the farm, valued at $24,400. This census lists parents, but the writing is sloppy. Josie's last name is KLOBER in other records, but here it looks like KLURCZ, KALUSER, KLUSER. Her mother, Anna HANZLEK, was still living, age 74. Albert and Josie had 4th and 5th grade education. Their son Lea was later called Leo.

In 1930, still on the farm in Salt Creek, still listed next to Charles and family, Albert and Josie had 3 children. Josie's mother Anna was living with them. Her last name was KLOUBER. 

The family moved to Richland Township, still in Tama County, between 1930 and 1935. I'm sure the Great Depression had something to do with the move.

In 1940 the family was in Richland Township. Albert owned the farm, valued at $3,000. The census tells us that they had lived at the same place in 1935. 

So Albert's 3 kids came along much later than Anton's 3 kids. And the POSEKANY men were not done marrying Josephines! 

6. i. Mayme M POSEKANY was born about 1917, and died in 1990, age 73, never married. In the 1920 US Census, taken in Jan 1920, she is called Mary, age 2 years and 5 months, so her birth was about Aug 1917. She lived with her parents at least until 1950.

6. ii. Leo Frank POSEKANY was born 6 May 1920 in Chelsea, and died 27 Jan 1994 in Cedar Rapids, age 73. He married on 26 Aug 1941 in IA, to Mildred Alma CEJKA, born 11 May 1923 in Belle Plaine, died 22 Dec 1989 in Grinnell, Poweshiek, IA, age 66. 

... 6. ii. a. Charles Albert POSEKANY b: 20 Jul 1943 in Salt Creek, res. Brooklyn, IA in 1995
... + Charlene DVORAK m: 12 Jul 1965

... 6. ii. b. Helen Margaret POSEKANY b: 8 Sep 1945 in Tama, d: 16 Jan 2017 in Cedar Rapids
... + Larry Thomas KUBALEK b: 1 Feb 1944 in Belle Plaine, m: 6 Jul 1968 in Chelsea, d: 1 Dec 2020 in Cedar Rapids

... 6. ii. c. Josephine M. “Jo” POSEKANY b: 11 Sep 1950
... + Dean R. DEGREVE b: 20 Sep 1943 in IL, m: 16 Jun 1984

... 6. ii. d. Mary Ann POSEKANY b: 21 Jun 1956
... + Jeffrey GROPPER b: 15 Mar 1957, m: 17 Sep 1977

6. iii. Richard Stanley POSEKANY was born 29 Dec 1926 in Salt Creek, and died 2 May 1993 in Brooklyn, Poweshiek, IA, age 66. He married on 20 Apr 1952 in York, to Rosa Helena Dorothea GLANDORF, born 30 Mar 1927 in Williamsburg, Iowa, IA, died 22 Apr 2010 in Grinnell, Poweshiek, IA, age 83.

... 6. iii. a. Jerry POSEKANY b: 16 Feb 1954

... 6. iii. b. Donald Dean POSEKANY b: 15 Aug 1956, d: 2 Sep 1956 in Belle Plaine, age 2 weeks, heart deformity

... 6. iii. c. Kathy POSEKANY b: 23 Feb 1958

... 6. iii. d. Judy POSEKANY b: 28 Dec 1959
... + Roger L. SCHROEDER b: 3 Apr 1955, m: 17 Oct 1981

... 6. iii. e. Gary POSEKANY b: 28 Mar 1964

7. Charles POSEKANY was born 20 Mar 1884 in Chelsea, and died 6 Aug 1941 in Iowa City, Johnson County, IA, age 57. He married on 2 Mar 1908 in Chelsea, to Josephine ADAMS, born on 1 Mar 1886 in Chelsea, and died 9 Feb 1957 in Chelsea, age 70. He was 23 and she had just turned 22 when they married. They had only one child: Mildred Marie POSEKANY, born 8 Apr 1910, died 27 May 2005, age 95. 

7. i. Mildred Marie POSEKANY was born 8 Apr 1910, and died 27 May 2005, age 95. She married on 24 Feb 1936 in Chelsea, to Sidney Glenn WHITSELL, born 14 Mar 1911 in Chicago, died 17 Nov 2004 in Cedar Rapids, age 93. They had 2 sons.

... 7. i. a. Charles Henry WHITSELL b: 3 Nov 1942 in Belle Plaine

... 7. i. b. Dennis James WHITSELL b: 27 Aug 1945 in Chelsea

8. Agnes POSEKANY was born on 24 Feb 1886 in Chelsea, and died 21 Jun 1973 in Marshalltown, age 87. She married on 6 Jul 1903 in Chelsea, to Emil Charles BEHOUNEK, born 16 May 1878 in Chelsea, died 25 Jun 1971, age 93. She was 17 and he was 25. They had 6 children.

The BEHOUNEK extended family is covered in [HTC, pp. 382-7]. Emil and Agnes are covered on [HTC, pp. 382-3] and their son Emil Jr on [HTC. pp. 383-4].

Agnes was married at age 17, and had her first child just a few weeks after her 18th birthday. The pastor, Joseph DOSTAL, was new on the job. He had come to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Chelsea on 1 Jul 1903, married Agnes and Emil on 6 Jul 1903, and the next day he drowned in the Iowa river.

There was quite a lavish wedding reception, at the POSEKANY farm, with "large tables loaded with victuals good enough for a king," serving 250 people, along with dancing and games.

Emil had a farm in Jefferson Township, Poweshiek County, IA, about 5 miles south of Chelsea.

In 1910 Emil (called Ameal) had a rented farm in Jefferson. The census confirms that they had been married 6 years, the first marriage for each, and Aggie had had 3 children, all still living. They had a farm hand, 47-year-old Frank ZEMAN, who had immigrated in 1877. 

By 1920 Emil and Agnes had 6 children, still in Jefferson. Emil owned his farm, free of mortgage.

Emil was a prosperous farmer, and always had a decent car, starting with a Chalmers, a 4-door Model-T Ford, a 1928 Chevrolet, a 1936 Pontiac, a 1939 Studebaker, and a 1947 Chrysler New Yorker. The family did a lot of traveling, with many trips to California, New York, and the Chicago World's Fair. Emil was also school director, and was trustee of Poweshiek County for many years. Emil and Agnes both lived to a ripe old age (93 and 87), and had many descendants. 

Emil and Agnes had 6 children:

8. i. Edward Emil BEHOUNEK was born 3 May 1904 in Chelsea, and died 1 Jul 1966 in Belle Plaine, age 62. He married on 27 Oct 1925 in Chelsea, to Agnes Marie KAUFMAN, born 3 Dec 1904 in Chelsea, died 3 Dec 1970 in IA. They had 3 children, and farmed in Salt Creek Township.

... 8. i. a. Paul Edward BEHOUNEK b: 20 Sep 1927 in Salt Creek, d: 4 Aug 2002 in Cedar Rapids
... + Marilyn Joan WALTON b: 13 JUL 1931 in Belle Plaine, m: abt. 1949, d: 7 Apr 1998 in Chelsea

... 8. i. b. Alan Joseph BEHOUNEK b: 9 Aug 1934 in Salt Creek, d: 20 Mar 2011 in Chelsea
... + Shirley Ann NOVOTNY b: 22 Jul 1936 in Carroll, Tama, author of [SNB]

... 8. i. c. Mary Ann BEHOUNEK b: 1 May 1937 in Salt Creek, d: 11 Oct 1997
... + Ludvick Wencelaus SHEDA b: 9 Oct 1932 in Chelsea, m: 2 Feb 1957 in Cedar Rapids, d: 19 Mar 2003 in Marshalltown

Paul E. BEHOUNEK served in the US Army at the end of WWII. He enlisted on 29 Nov 1945 and was discharged on 26 Feb 1947. 

Ludvick SHEDA served in the US Army in the Korean War. He enlisted on 20 Apr 1953 and was discharged 11 Apr 1955.

8. ii. Anna Agnes BEHOUNEK was born 23 Apr 1906 and died 10 Sep 1980, age 74, killed by a truck. She married on 28 Nov 1928 to Emil POLKA, born 25 Dec 1906 in Tama County, died 30 Dec 1968 in Hennepin County, MN. They farmed in Salt Creek, and moved to MN before 1950. They had no children.

8. iii. Emma Mae BEHOUNEK was born 30 Oct 1909, in Chelsea, and died 23 Feb 1997 in Marshalltown, age 87. She married on 7 Nov 1929 to John Norbert BENDA, born 7 Jul 1908 in Helena, Tama, IA, died 20 Nov 1998 in Marshalltown. They had 1 child.

... 8. iii. a. Bernice Marie BENDA was born 29 Nov 1931 in Tama County, and died 9 Nov 2006 in Marshalltown, at age 74
... + Brice David SPRINGER b: 17 Dec 1926 in Humeston, Wayne, IA, d: 10 Apr 2020 in Tucson, Pima, AZ.

Brice SPRINGER served in the US Army at the end of WWII. He enlisted on 8 Apr 1945, and was discharged on 9 Dec 1946. He was still single in 1950 when the US census says he was a stock clerk at a furnace factory in Marshalltown. Bernice lived with her parents in Timber Creek, on the south side of Marshalltown. She was a saleslady at a department store, and her father, John N. BENDA, was assistant foreman at a furnace factory, undoubtedly the same place where Brice SPRINGER worked. 

Bernice and Brice lived in Marshalltown. They were single in 1950, probably married before 1953. Their first 2 children were twin boys, born prematurely at St Thomas Hospital, on 22 Apr 1953, and both lived only 2 hours. They had another boy, born prematurely on 6 Mar 1959, who lived 9 hours, and another on 13 May 1968, who died the same day. They had no other children.

8. iv. Leo Emil BEHOUNEK was born 7 Aug 1912 in Poweshiek and died 20 April 2003 in Chelsea, age 90. He married on 27 Jun 1939 in Chelsea, to Mildred Agnes SHEDA, born 23 Feb 1917 in IA, died 16 Oct 2010 in Belle Plaine, age 93. They farmed in Jefferson Township, and had 6 children [HTC, p. 383] but I have only found information on 3.

... 8. iv. a. Patricia Lee BEHOUNEK b: 16 Mar 1941 in Belle Plaine, d: 29 Sep 2010 in Hiawatha, Linn, age 69
... + Gerald Wayne VEIT b: 12 Dec 1938 in IA, m: 1962, d: 14 Feb 2014 in Cedar Rapids, age 75

... 8. iv. b. Carmel Ann BEHOUNEK b: 14 Jun 1944 in Belle Plaine
... + Joseph Gabriel DVORAK b: 16 Jul 1942 in Clutier, Tama, m: 17 Sep 1966 in Chelsea

... 8. iv. c. Thomas John BEHOUNEK b: 25 Aug 1946 in Belle Plaine, d: 20 Jul 2021 in Montezuma, Poweshiek, IA (obituary)
... + Carol DAVIDSON m: 14 Dec 1985

8. v. Wesley Charles BEHOUNEK was born 2 Nov 1916 in Chelsea, and died 30 Nov 1988, age 72. He married on 10 Oct 1940 in Newhall, IA to Hazel Marie DAVIS, born 25 Oct 1918 in Benton County, IA, and died 29 Oct 2008 in Chelsea, age 90. They farmed in Jefferson Township, and had 4 children.

... 8. v. a. Carol E BEHOUNEK b: Oct 1945 in IA

... 8. v. b. Marlene J BEHOUNEK b: 11 Apr 1951 in Marshalltown, d: 28 Oct 2020 in Iowa City, Johnson, IA, age 69
... + Darwin Duane STEPANEK b: 19 Feb 1955 in Toledo, Tama, d: 29 Oct 2020 in Iowa City, age 65

... 8. v. c. Mary BEHOUNEK b: aft. 18 Apr 1950
... + CRAWFORD

... 8. v. d. Steven W. BEHOUNEK b: 18 Jan 1954
... + Raylene V. HILLIGAS b: 21 May 1961

8. vi. Maria Josephine BEHOUNEK was born 27 Jun 1919 in IA, d: 1 Jun 2015 in CA, age 95. She married on 28 Aug 1940 to Earl Lawrence CROSS, born 12 Aug 1914 in Chelsea, died 2 Jun 1993 in NV, age 73. They lived in Los Angeles County, CA and had two children. 

Earl CROSS served as a Seaman First Class in the US Navy, enlisting first on 15 May 1935, discharged on 29 Apr 1939, re-enlisted on 2 Apr 1944, discharged on 15 Mar 1946.

In 1940 they lived in Inglewood, and Earl worked at Douglas Aircraft in El Segundo. In 1950 they lived in Hawthorne, and Earl was a street car operator.

... 8. vi. a. Robert Earl CROSS b: 23 Jan 1943 in Los Angeles, CA, d: 1 Jun 1990 in Riverside, CA
... +  Cheryle Deanne BIRDSELL b: 18 Jan 1945 in Los Angeles, CA, m: 14 Oct 1961 in Los Angeles, CA

... 8. vi. b. Joan M. CROSS b: 1947
... + Johnny A SILVA b: 1945, m: 30 Nov 1963 in Los Angeles, div: 19 May 1981 in Clark, NV

References (mostly hardcopy found in local historical societies)

[CC] Clutier Centennial/Clutier, Iowa 1900-2000

[CTN] Chelsea Then and Now (1976)

[EI] Elberon, Iowa 1881-1981

[HCI] History of Chelsea, Iowa 1864-1989

[HTC] The History of Tama County, Iowa (1987) 

[PRC] A Pictorial Review of 1864 Centennial 1964 Chelsea, Iowa

[SNB] Descendants of Frank and Marie Posekany (1970) by Shirley Ann (Novotny) Behounek

Websites

[IDL] 1914 maps on Iowa Digital Library

[TCH] Tama County Historical and Genealogical Society

[TCI] Tama County IAGenWeb

Updated 10 Apr 2024 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.