John and Marie Vondra

from Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, pages 497 - 498

John and Marie Vondra

By Mrs. Elmer Lusk (Ruth Thurston)

Painting of Marie and John Vondra

John Vondra was born July 14, 1836 at Hoslov (also known as Usilov), Bohemia, Czechoslavakia. He attended school and grew to manhood in Czechoslovakia. His trade was blacksmithing and he served as a gunsmith in the War of 1866. He married Marie Sedlacek in 1976.

Marie Sedlacek was born May, 1857 in Mlynic, Bohemia, Czechoslovakia. She also attended school and grew to womanhood in Czechoslovakia.

In the spring of 1884, John and Marie and their family of four children –James, born January 6, 1877; Mary, born February 2, 1978; Joseph, born February 22, 1881; and Agnes, born March 26, 1884—came to America and lived in Chicago for a few months. Another child, Lottie, had died in infancy in Bohemia. 

In the fall of that year, they came to Dakota Territory and settled in Northwest Eden Township in what was known as the Bohemian Settlement, and lived there about two years. Frank and a twin, who passed away in infancy, were born here July 4, 1886 and John on April 14, 1888. John, Sr., then homesteaded in Union Township and established the home near Rice Lake where he could be sure of an adequate supply of water. They and lived in a sod house in Eden Township and again at the new location until John built one of the first frame houses in the area. Indians often came through the country by horse and wagon and camped by Rice Lake because there was wild game to be had for food and water for their horses.

Seven children were born to them after they located in Union Township. They were William, March 17, 1889; Emma, March 19, 1991; Jessie, January 6, 1993; Anna, April 12, 1894; Bessie, September 27, 1895; Josie, March 12, 1897; and Helen, February 6, 1905.

Although the days were filled with many hours of hard labor, everybody was always ready for an evening get-together. They traveled with horse and buggy or wagon and sleds in the winter, to dances, basket socials, literaries, and church services conducted by traveling or visiting preachers. These “doings” were held in the various homes or local schoolhouses. Many of the young people learned from their elders, to play musical instruments so there was always music available for dancing. The early settlers were very dependent upon each other for help so communities were very closely knit together for everybody’s well-being.

The Vondra children all attended rural school and several of the girls went on to high school and normal school and became teachers.

Jim bought his own farm and ran a big rig for his own and custom plowing and he ran a threshing outfit for many years. He passed away December 19, 1947.

Mary married Martin Bouzek. They lived in Eden Township and raised a family of two boys and five girls. Mary passed away July 5, 1957.

Joe worked as a hired hand at various places. He passed away August 30, 1967.

Agnes taught school and married Joe Thurston March 30, 1910, and they had two girls. Agnes passed away April 16, 1942.

Frank had his own farm in Union Township and ran a well drilling rig. He passed away December 20, 1929.

John (son), after serving in the Army in World War I, and William stayed on the home ranch until they passed away—William, November 11, 1947, and John, September 7, 1962.

Emma also stayed on the home ranch with her brothers until John passed away and then she sold the ranch and moved to Highmore.

Jessie married Samuel Hall Jarvis of Faulkton, August, 1917, and they had two boys and three girls.

Anna married Schuyler Hanson, January 20, 1921 and they had two boys and one girl. They lived on a farm in Union Township until retiring and moving to Highmore.

Bessie taught school before marrying Ray Hanson August 27, 1927. They lived on the Al Ollman farm in Illinois Township for several years.

Josie married George Sporrer, December 20, 1920; they lived on farms in Union Township, and later moved to Highmore. Their family consisted of three boys ad two girls. Two children (boys) died in infancy. Josie also taught school before and after being married.

Helen married Harris Scott of Provo, South Dakota and they made their home on farms near Chadron and Hay Springs, Nebraska, until Harris passed away. They raised one girl and one boy. Helen taught school in the Provo-Edgemont area before being married, and in Nebraska for several years.

Marie passed away August 21, 1912 and John continued to live on the ranch with some of his children until his death June 18, 1933. They were laid to rest in the Bohemian Cemetery in Eden Township.

The Zeigler Post Office was located at the Vondra home for many years.

John, Sr., had continued his trade as a blacksmith and farmed.

Rita’s notes

Emma served as the post mistress of the Ziegler post office that was in the family home for a period of time. At one point in time, she resigned and Annie was post mistress.