Looking for information on JOSEPH FRANK NOVAK BORN 1833 in Moravea Bohemia and married ANNA PLAVETS in 1854. They had a son JOSEPH FRANK NOVAK, born 1862 in Chelsea, Tama, IA so they must have come to the US between 1854 & 1862. Does anyone know what ship or when. Thanks for any help. Bob NOVAK, bbnovak@hotmail.com

I have quite a bit of information about the Czech families of Tama county. Contact me by email, and I will be happy to share information with you. I hope the following helps.

Name: Joseph F. NOVAK

Birth: 12 Feb 1832 Dresnitze, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary
Immigration: 1876 Chelsea, Tama, IA, USA Age: 43
Death: 20 Nov 1924 Mexico, Oswego, NY, USA Age: 92
Burial: 1924 Chelsea, Tama, IA, USA
Occupation: Farmer
Religion: Methodist
Residence: Salt Creek Twp., Tama, IA

Misc. Notes

Joseph F. and Anna (Plavets) Novak both were born in Bohemia Austria. Mr. Novak was born Feb. 12, 1832, and Mrs. Novak was born July 25, 1836. He and his wife came to America by ship. After landing in this country they began the overland
journey to Iowa, but their funds ran out when they reached Chicago.

There Mr. Novak borrowed $14.00 from a stranger and this sum enabled them to come to Iowa and Tama county. They arrived here Nov. 18, 1866. They established themselves in Salt Creek Township and soon purchased some land and built a log cabin fourteen by sixteen feet. This log-cabin was the home for two families the first winter, and with the children, the persons occupying it numbered sixteen people.

As time went on they bought more land and built a home on what was known as the Novak hills, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Cobet of Chelsea. Their family numbered seven children. Henry F. who lived on the farm with them, Frank, Joseph, Anna, Mary, Rose and one who died in infancy.

After a number of years, he turned the farm over to his son, Henry F. Novak, but still resided on the farm with him. Henry F. Novak was reared to the life of an agriculturist and received a good school education as a preparation for life's activities. On the 7th of April, 1890, Mr. Novak was united in marriage to Mary Lenoch who was born in Salt Creek Township, a daughter of Frank and Frances Lenoch who came from Europe to America in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Novak were the parents of four children, Rosetta, Ella, Lillie Mae, and Henry J. who died in in fancy.

Mr. Novak was prominently know as an auctioneer, Stock buyer and was in the implement business in the firm known as Novak and Blazek Implement, was county supervisor for several years, and belonged to many organizations. [History of Chelsea, Iowa; p. 173]1

Obituary
Joseph Novak was born in the village of Dresnitze, in Bohemia, February 12, 1832, and died at Mexico, N.Y., November 30, 1924, at the age of ninety-two. Deceased was united in marriage to Anna Plavets in 1854 in the village of Nova Ves, from which place he emigrated to America. He landed in Chelsea with his family of four children on November 20, 1865, and located on a forty acre tract of land in Salt Creek township, where he built a 14 x 16 log cabin home, where he toiled for fifty-four years and accumulated 160 acres of land beside other personal property, all of which he deeded to his youngest son, Henry F., reserving only a living for his wife and himself during their lifetime. His wife, Anna Plavets Novak, preceded him in death February 6, 1920. His son Henry sold out and moved to Mexico, N.Y., in March, 1920, taking his father with him, where he resided until his death. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Novak, namely: Frank J., residing on a farm east of Chelsea; Mrs. Anna Formanek, Belle Plaine; Mrs. Mary Hanchel, Cheyenne, Okla.; Joseph F., who died in 1894, the above children being born in Bohemia; Mrs. Rose Mondry, Iron Mountain, Mich., and Henry F., of Mexico, N.Y., who were born in Salt Creek township, Tama county, Iowa. Joseph Novak was a quiet, law abiding citizen and a hard worker. He was of a cheerful disposition and was well liked by all who knew him. He has been fortunate and always enjoyed good health until the past few months when his health began to fail and he gradually grew weaker until he fell into everlasting sleep. The funeral was held at the M.E. church. The pall bearers were the following grandchildren, all from one family: Joseph P, Charlie, William, Frank, Jim, and Emil. [Traer Star-Clipper, 12 December 1924]2

Spouses

1: Anna PLAVETS
Birth: 25 Jul 1836 Bohemia, Austria-Hungary
Immigration: 1876 Chelsea, Tama, IA, USA Age: 39
Death: 6 Feb 1920 Lamoille, IA, USA Age: 83
Burial: 8 Feb 1920 Chelsea, Tama, IA, USA
Occupation: Homemaker
Religion: Methodist
Cause of death: Cancer Of The Liver

Obituary

Mrs. Anna Novak passed away at the home of her brother, John Plavets, at Lamoille, at 1 oclock Friday morning, death being due to cancer of the liver. Anna Plavets was born in Bohemia, July 25, 1837, and passed to her reward on February 6, 1920, at the advanced age of 83 years. She was married in 1854 and came to America in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Novak settling in Chelsea, where they have since made their homes. She leaves to mourn her loss the husband, one brother and five children - Frank and Henry, of Chelsea; Mrs. Anna Formanek, of Belle Plaine; Mrs.Mary Henschel, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Mrs. Mary Moundry, of Michigan; besides a host of friends. Mrs. Novaks generous nature was ever manifesting itself in sympathy, help, and aid to the unfortunate, not in an impulsive way, but in lifes long series of kindly ministrations to which many of our citizens, especially those who knew her in her days of vigor and strength, now gladly and gratefully bear witness. In her home all were welcomed by the peace and love that abided there. She was a firm believer in her church, the Methodist, and a worthy disciple to the Master. She will be greatly missed in the home where she so long had been given the tenderest of care. The body was brought here Saturday afternoon and the funeral was held from the church Sunday morning. Burial was made in the cemetery north of town. [Traer Star-Clipper, 13 February 1920]3

Marriage: 1854 Nova Ves, Bohemia, Austria
Children: Frank J. (1855-)

Anna

Mary

Rose

Henry F.

Sources
1. Chelsea Centennial Committee, History of Chelsea, Iowa 1864-1964.
2. The Traer Star-Clipper, Traer, Tama county, Iowa, (Microfilm, State Historical Library of Iowa) 12 December 1924.
3. The Traer Star-Clipper, Traer, Tama county, Iowa, (Microfilm, State Historical Library of Iowa)

Last Modified: 3 May 2000
Created: 3 May 2000

Steven Stodola
311 South Sixth Street
Mapleton, Iowa 51034
stodola@pionet.net

Hi Steven: Thanks for all the information but I don't think it is who I am looking for. Here is some background on my JOSEPH FRANK NOVAK, born on 2/12/1833 in Moravea, (Bohemia, Czechorslovakia and died 11/30/1924 in Chelsea, Tama, IA. He married ANNA PLAVETS, (born, 1836 in Moravea and died 1920 in Chelsea, Tama, IA). Their children were:JOSEPH FRANK NOVAK,b.3/9/1862 in Tama, Frank Joseph,b.1855 in Bohemia,,Anna,b.1857 in Bohemia,Mary,b.1860in Tama and John b.1864 in Tama. Then their son JOSEPH FRANK NOVAK,b.3/9/1862 in Tama and died 4/23/1892 in Tama, IA. was married to JOSEPHINE PISVEJC on 7/20/1885 who died 6/6/1890. Their son,my Grandfather, was JOSEPH FRANK NOVAK, born 10/5/1886 who married LIBBIE ANN KUCERA, on 11/26/1912, in Tama, IA. Do you happen to know what ship the JOSEPH FRANK NOVAK, came over on that was born in Bohemia in 1833? It had to be between 1857 when Anna was born in Bohemia and 1860 when Mary was born in Tama, IA.. Thanks so much for any information. Bob

researching Strachota & Juracek names.any help appreciated.

George and Rose Strachota lived in Tama until they were very relocated to Eldora in later years. They had two children Lewis and Bridget Strachota. Bridget never married and lived with them until they passed away. Lewis is my dad and he has many kids.