FRANK AND BARBARA [ONDRACEK] MALY, SR.
Frank Maly, Sr., was born July 26, 1845, in the village of Skryvhov,
County of Milevsko, State of Tabor, Bohemia. He died near Verdigre,
Nebraska, on the 27th day of November, 1935, being 90 years, 4
months, and 1 day old.
[pg 318 PHOTO Vac Maly, Rose Studeny, Barbara Kotrous, and Antonette
Studeny; front: Mary Stoural, Frank Maly, Sr., Barbara Ondracek Maly,
and Anastazie Mastalir]
In the village of his birth, he grew to manhood and when he was 22
years old, he, in company with some friends, emigrated to America.
He lived first in Chicago, Illinois,
where he worked at his trade of tailoring. Looking forward to the
future and better opportunities in the new west, he came with two
companions, Joseph Pavlik and John Beran, to Knox County in 1870 by
way of Sioux City, Iowa, and Niobrara Nebraska. From Sioux City on,
the trip to the new future home was made on foot and here they filed
on homesteads in this locality west of the present site of Verdigre.
Next spring the outlook for making a living in the new raw country
was not very promising, so Mr. Maly and his two companions went back
to Chicago, making the trip by foot. Upon their arrival, he found
employment until the next spring when he returned with his wife to
Knox County.
He had been married October 14, 1871, to Barbara Ondracek in
Chicago, Illinois. By coincidence this was the day the great Chicago
fire broke out. To this union were born four sons and five
daughters. Three sons preceded their father in death: Emil at the
age of nine years; Joseph in March 1930, and Frank C. in October of
1932. His wife Barbara passed away June 15, 1934.
As one of the Knox County pioneers, Frank Maly came to know the toil
and enduring hardships that early settlers experienced. His strong
courage carried on through good and bad with the farming operations
until 1924 when he retired from active work and went to live with
his son Vac Maly and family. Later he took up residence with his
daughter, Mrs. Fred Studeny.
Mr. Maly was a member of the Catholic Workman lodge and took active
interest in the organization ever since its beginning in Verdigre.
He was a faithful member of the Catholic Church throughout his life
and took part in all activities of the local church during his
younger years.
Pages
317, 318
