FRANTISEK AND AMELIA [SOMR] KVES
[pg 314 PHOTO Frank and Emma Somr Kves]
Frantisek (Frank) Kves was born January 13 1889, to Joseph and Anna
Kves in the village of Mickov, county of Strakonice, Bohemia. He was
one of eight children with two brothers, Joe and Vac (James), and
three sister, Mary (Mrs. John Pobuda), Anna (Mrs. Frantisek Hanzlik),
and Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Kral). Two of the children died in
infancy.
At the age of 17, Kves migrated to America, arriving in Baltimore,
Maryland, in 1906 where he joined his older sister, Mary. Mary later
moved back to Bohemia. For three years he worked there as a cabinet
maker, and then he came to Nebraska and was employed on a farm in
the Jelen community. Shortly afterward, he started farming for
himself. During this time he taught Czech in the Jelen school for
two years where he met his future bride.
After spending three years in Nebraska, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio,
and lived with his brother Joseph and family. In 1915 he returned to
Verdigre.
On June 17, 1915, Frank Kves was married to Amelia (Emma) Somr,
daughter of Stephan and Karolina Pavlik Somr of Verdigre. The
wedding took place in the home of the bride’s parents which was
located 6 miles west and 1 ˝ south of Verdigre, Nebraska. The
ceremony was performed by the bride’s uncle, John L. Pavlik, who at
the time was Justice of the Peace in Jefferson Township. Mr. and
Mrs. Alex Juracek, friends of the couple, were the attendants. The
event included a charivari, followed by a dance which lasted until
the next morning. Music was furnished by the Pleasant Valley Brass
Band.
Amelia (Emma) Somr Kves was born April 11, 1899. She lived with her
parents and younger sister, Lillian Gertrude (Mrs. Tony Paesl), on
her parents’ farm. She attended Pleasant Valley School.
After their marriage, Frank and Emma moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where
their first child, Evelyn Mildred, was born February 8, 1916.
Shortly after that, they moved back to Nebraska and their second
daughter, Vlasta, was born October 24, 1919.
Mr. and Mrs. Kves then purchased a farm from her parents located 6
miles west, 1 south, and ˝ east of Verdigre. They lived in a house
built by one of the original owners out of rock found on the farm.
It consisted of a kitchen and another room used as both living room
and bedroom. This house is still standing on the farm.
On October 30, 1923, a son, Joseph Kves was born to them at their
home. Dr. Kucera was called, but nevertheless, the baby developed
complications and died November 5, 1923. He is buried at the
Bohemian National Cemetery at Jelen.
While living in this small rock home, Mrs. Kves would cook all day
Saturday in preparation for large Sunday dinners which included a
host of relatives, friends, and neighbors.
In approximately 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Kves built a new home on their
farm and continued farming until 1947, when they retired from the
farm and sold it to their daughter Evelyn and her husband. They
moved to the town of Verdigre and resided at 411 5th Avenue. For
many years after they moved to Verdigre, rural farm students
attending Verdigre Public School would stay with them, thus
eliminating travel to their rural homes on bad roads and during
severe winter conditions.
Mr. Kves was an avid reader, talented speaker, and singer. He was a
long-time member of Lodge Bila Hora C5, serving as secretary of the
local lodge for 35 years. Emma Eves was also a long-time member. For
many years Frank Kves was the local organizer of the Western
Fraternal Life Association. He helped organize the Verdigre Sokol
Lodge and was elected its secretary. Later he served as athletic
director of the organization during its 25-year duration. Mr. Kves
helped organize the United Federation of Czech Lodges and the
Verdigre branch of the Czech National Alliance. He was a member of
the Pleasant Valley Local of the Farmers’ Union Cooperative
Association and of the Bohemian National Cemetery Association. For
some time he served as treasurer of Jefferson Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Kves’ daughter, Evelyn, who teaches at the Verdigre
public School, married Clarence C. Kucera and has five children:
Kathryn (married John A. Farnik), Elizabeth (married Darrel Walton),
Charles (married Francine Bartos), Kenneth (married Deborah Dvorak),
and Barbara.
Frank and Emma’s daughter, Vlasta, who owns and operated the Ritze
Beauty Shop in Verdigre, married Gordon McElhose and had four
children: Jerry (married Pat Allen), Don (married Dianne Pavlik),
Donna (married Brad Ives), and Gail.
On April 4, 1972, Mr. Kves passed away and was buried beside his
son, Joseph, at Bohemian National Cemetery, Jelen. Mrs. Kves
continued to reside at their home for several years until she became
ill. She is now residing at Alpine Village, Verdigre, Nebraska.
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