FRANK HOLAN, THE PIONEER
[pg 266 PHOTO Frank Holan]
Francisek Holan, as he was known in Bohemia, was born in November of
1826 in Novy Prerov, Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, to Albert Holan, a
farmhand of Prerov, Bohemia, and Magdalena Konicek of Novy Prerov,
Bohemia.
Frank (Francisek) Holan, at the age of 20 years, was called into the
Austrian Army and after ten years of service, came home with a few
pennies to commence his new life, so to speak.
Two years later, after retiring from the army, he married Kathrina
Chadimova, who was from Velky Jiren, Bohemia, Czechoslovakia. Her
parents were John Chadima of Velky Czechoslovakia. To this union
were born three children: Frank Holan, Sr., Joseph M. Holan, Sr.,
and Frances (Francisca) Holan (Mrs. V. A. Pavelka).
Six years later, in 1866, he sailed to America with his wife and
children on a sailboat, a hazardous journey across the Atlantic
Ocean, and arrived in New York City, U.S.A. Later he came to
Chicago, Illinois, where he and his family lived until 1875.
He was naturalized before he got there, possibly in Cleveland, Ohio.
When in Chicago, Mr. Holan was employed by different lumber firms.
He spoke of the big fire in 1871 in Chicago.
His wife died in 1873 at the age of 41 years and is buried in St.
Stanislaus Cemetery in Cook County, Chicago, Illinois.
About a year later he married Mrs. Clara Pavelka. Anna Holan (Mrs.
Jos. M. Ondracek) was born to them. He then decided to go west with
his wife and four children and left for Nebraska in 1877.
They came to Verdigre by oxen where they pioneered a homestead 3 ˝
miles north of Verdigre. This homestead measured 280 acres and
consisted of all the Northwest Quarter of Section 28 in Sparta
Township except 40 acres in the northwest corner. The West Half of
the Northeast Quarter 40 acres in the northeast corner of the
Southwest Quarter, and 40 acres in the northwest corner of the
Southeast Quarter of the same section completed the homestead.
Frank remembered well the blizzard of 1888, how the cattle came home
covered with snow and ice, the wise teacher who kept the children in
school overnight, knowing quite well they would all perish in the
storm and never reach home.
After settling on their homestead, they had four more children:
John, Vojtech, Charles, and Mary.
Frank Holan, the pioneer, was a highly-respected citizen, had many
friends and was a firm believer in the Catholic faith.
His second wife, Clara (Pavelka) Holan, was born in Kalse, Bohemia,
and died August 7, 1894, at their home. She is buried in the
Verdigre Catholic Cemetery. She was a sister of Florian Pavelka.
After his wife died, Frank deeded the farm to his son, John, but
still lived there, although he visited with his other children for a
few months. It was while staying with his son Joseph that he passed
away quietly and peacefully at the age of 90 years on January 30,
1916. He is buried in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Verdigre.
John Holan, born July 10, 1878, lived on the homestead of his
father’s, Frank, the pioneer, from 1878 to 1954. He died April 29,
1954.
Vojtech Holan was born about two years later than John and was
baptized “Albert” Holan on December 15, 1880. He died at the age of
two.
Charles Holan died in infancy. Both Vojtech and Charles are buried
on a high knoll overlooking the family homestead.
Mary Holan was born on August 15, 1884. She was a housekeeper for 40
years for the Rev. C. Z. Petlach, pastor of St. Wenceslaus Church in
Verdigre. Miss Holan retired after his death. She died December 23,
1964, at the age of 80 years in Verdigre, Nebraska.
-Written by Mrs. Leonard (Martha Holan) Sukup,
granddaughter of
Frank Holan, the pioneer.
Pages
266, 267
