WILLIAM J. AND JESSIE [SMITH] SVOBODA
William J. Svoboda was born in Kiev, Russia, in 1886 where his
father, Frank, Sr., was a Bohemian interpreter. When Bill, as he was
known here, was a babe in arms the family migrated to the United
States.
For a short time they lived in Philadelphia where Frank learned the
hatter’s trade, then lived for a few years on a farm near Wahoo,
Nebraska. Here Bill and the future Congressman, Karl Stefan, were
friends. ) During World War II when Bill was required to have a
birth certificate, he called his old friend telling him of his
plight. A few days later, Bill received a certificate stating his
birthplace as Wahoo.)
The family moved to Omaha and Frank resumed his trade as a hatter at
13th and William Streets. Bill vividly remembered when, as a young
boy, he pulled his coaster wagon to the railroad station to pick up
huge boxes of hats sent by Buffalo Bill Cody from all over the world
to be cleaned, reconditioned, and repaired. An expert felter, his
father made bullet holes in hats disappear.
Young Bill also had a paper route and delivered papers to an early
Father Flannigan-style home for men. The priest often didn’t have
the cash to pay him.
Bill attended Central High School where he met Jessie Ellen Smith.
After graduation he attended Boyles College, and then became a
bookkeeper for Metz Brothers Brewery. Jessie became a court
reporter. (Jessie’s roots are traced to early American times. Her
ancestors fought in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.)
They were married in 1905. In 1908, Eunice (Mrs. Gordon Havlicek)
was born.
In 1909, Boyles College officials asked Bill to fill a position as a
clerk in a bank in Verdigre. He accepted and the little family came
and lived for a time at the Queen Hotel.
Jessie, an outgoing, vivacious young lady, felt like an outcast
among people who mostly spoke the Bohemian tongue.
Another daughter, Elaine (Ms. L. G. Stevens), was born in 1910.
The Metz Brothers asked Bill to return, offering him a promotion.
Jessie was only too happy to return to Omaha.
Meanwhile, Bill’s oldest brother, Jim, visited Verdigre, liked it,
and opened a general merchandise store. He and his wife, Anna, were
active in civic and social affairs, until their return to Omaha.
Another brother, Frank, Jr., followed. He bought Mr. Jiracek’s share
of the Jiracek-Jecminek Hardware store.
Bill lost his job when prohibition became law. They left the lovely,
modern home they had built and returned to Verdigre where Jessie
again joined the ranks of those with outdoor plumbing. By now,
English was replacing the Bohemian language and Jessie was content
in communicating with her neighbors and being close to nature, which
she loved. In 1920 they bought the Klappal house west of the grade
school. Here, their son, William Marshall, was born in living. (In
1942 he married Lillian Chalupnik.)
Bill bought out Jecminek and the store became Svoboda Brothers
Hardware, which served the Verdigre area for more than forty years.
The partnership flourished. A furniture store was added and for a
time gas pumps stood in front of the store that was open from seven
a. m. to late in the evening. The brothers could fix just about
anything and freely dispensed advice (often un-solicited) with their
services. Benches in front of the store were a welcome place to
visit and relax during the heat of the “dirty thirties.”
Bill was highly respected and influential in the community, giving
freely of his time and talents. His advice was often sought in
business and personal matters. As a long-time member and secretary
of the school board he was instrumental in building the present high
school and he personally installed the plumbing and heating. He was
also the village mayor for twenty-five years.
A fine speaker, for many years he eulogized at funerals at the local
and Pischeville ZCBJ Halls. Jessie, with her rich, alto voice, sang
in the choir.
In 1947, the Svobodas sold the Hardware store to John E. Pavlik and
retired.
William J. and Jessie E. Svoboda celebrated fifty-nine wedding
anniversaries. He died in 1964. She survived him by two years. They
rest in peace at Riverside Cemetery.
Note: When William J. Svoboda was hired by Metz Brothers, he was
asked to modernize his name by replacing the “V” with a “W”,
therefore, his and Jessie’s marriage license name is spelled
“Swoboda” as are their children’s’ and grandchildren’ names. When
Bill assumed partnership with his brother, Frank, he returned to the
original spelling of his name.
-Submitted by Lillian (Chalupnik) Swoboda
Pages
419, 420
