J. J. Svoboda
James J. Svoboda, son of Frank and Nellie Svoboda, died in Omaha on
March 28, 1941, at the age of 61. He had been engaged in business in
Verdigre from 1909 to 1916. His clothing store was the first concern
to occupy the new brick building put up by Louis Tikalsky on Lot 4
of Block 16. He was later a saloon-keeper in the building on Lot 3
of Block 17. He was active in the fire department and in the
Commercial Club during his time here.
[pg 419 photo Submitted by Mrs. R. Jacobsen who says: “ZCBJ Hall
in Verdigre, Nebraska. Left to right: Mrs. Lapesh, cruel stepmother;
Premysl Sedivy, villain son; two orphans - Millie Liska, M. Miller ?
Baroness, mother of one orphan; Mr. Liska, father of baroness; in
front - James J. Svoboda, crippled son with grinder; Irma Svoboda, 5
year-old not pictured, was an illegitimate daughter of one of the
orphans [when she was tiny] of the baroness [ my mother’s part]. It
was for this play that the senior Mr. Sedivy [the father of the man
in the play] carved the wooden horse - which I forgot to carry onto
the stage when I made my brief appearance! I still have the horse, a
treasured keepsake. The play was produced by my dad, J. J. Svoboda,
in about 1907 or 1908. Costumes by Oscar Lieben.”]
He also took an active part in the production of amateur theatricals
in Verdigre. At the time of the Mexican War scare in 1914, he was an
officer of the National Guard Company organized in Verdigre, and his
store served as its headquarters.
James and his wife had four children: Fred, Norman, Irma (Mrs. Ray
Jacobsen) and Mrs. John Spence.
After leaving Verdigre, he was a traveling salesman. In later years
he had been employed by a commission firm in Omaha.
James was a brother of Frank and William Svoboda.
- Submitted by Mrs. R. W. Jacobsen
Page 419
