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Frank Hradek, who is farming on section 16, Pilot township, was born in Johnson county, this state, on the 10th
of September, 1869, a son of John and Katerina (Zakostleckey) Hradek, both natives of Bohemia, Austria. The birth
of the father occurred on the 10th of April, 1841, at Zabrof, Vitavo Tin, and there he grew to maturity. Following
their marriage, in 1865, the parents emigrated to America and located in Newport township, Johnson county, Iowa,
where they resided for ten years. In 1875 they came to Iowa county and purchased the old John Elliott farm in Pilot
township, which became the family homestead. The father was very successful as an agriculturist and from time to
time bought other land, becoming eventually the owner of nine hundred acres, from which he derived a handsome income.
Before his demise he divided much of his land among his children. He passed away on the nth of May, 1911, when
a little past seventy years of age. At the time of his demise the following tribute appeared in a local paper:
"John Hradek was a quiet and unassuming man, yet in his bosom were traits and virtues of purest gold. He came
here an alien, an utter stranger to our laws and customs, but no native born possessed a higher conception of American
citizenship. The laws governing the seasons are not more honest than was John Hradek in any and all of his dealings,
nor did he ever seek an advantage in a deal; he recognized his neighbor's right and interest as on an equality
with his own and he would far rather wrong himself than transgress on the right of another. As the head of a family
he was a type that might well be copied. He held his sons and daughters together by the closest bond and the interest
of one became the interest of all and through a kindly and well directed cooperation the entire family became well
provided with this world's goods. * * * A man of this type is an honor to his race, an honor to his fellows, and
when he dies it is but natural for all who knew him in life to mourn for him in death."
To Mr. and Mrs. John Hradek were born seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely: Joseph P., of Wellman,
Iowa; Frank; Charles L., of Pilot township; Albert, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Joseph
Elick, of Pilot township; and Anton and Mary, who reside with their mother.
Frank Hradek was reared at home and during his boyhood and youth attended the public schools, thus acquiring a
good education. He continued to assist in the operation of the home farm until 1890, when the father deeded him
an eighty acre tract, to the cultivation of which he at once turned his energies. When not engaged in operating
his own farm he aided his father and they continued to work together for a number of years. In 1895 the marriage
of our subject occurred and following that event he located upon his present home farm, which he operated as a
renter for one season. In the following fall he purchased the farm, which comprises eighty acres, and later bought
a similar tract across the road, which he farms in connection with his first purchase. He is not only an experienced
agriculturist but is also alert and progressive, being at all times ready to adopt new methods and to utilize improved
machinery in cultivating the fields. He has met with well merited success in his chosen occupation and derives
a good annual income from his land, his property now comprising two hundred and eighty acres.
On the 12th of February, 1895, Mr. Hradek married Miss Anna Pitlick, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa. Her
father, Martin Pitlick, was a native of Bohemia, and in 1866 emigrated to this country, settling in Johnson county,
Iowa. He became one of the wealthiest farmers of that county, owning three hundred and sixty acres of fine land
there and eight hundred acres in South Dakota. He spent the later years of his life among his children and 'died
at the home of our subject on the 19th of January, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Hradek have two children, Bertha May and
Abbie Ella
Mr. Hradek is a democrat and can be counted upon to cooperate in movements seeking the community advancement. He
and his family are devout communicants of the Roman Catholic church and their upright lives are irrefutable proof
of, the sincerity of their faith. All who know them speak highly of their integrity and they have many warm personal
friends.
From:
History of Iowa County, Iowa
And its People
By: James C. Dinwiddie
Vol II
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1915
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