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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WESLEY (Vaclav) HOLETS
Waclav Holec, suggestest in case that he should die that my (His) oldest son Waclav Holec Jun. Get all the land which I now hold viz One Hundred & Twenty-eight (128) acres, for the sum of Nineteen Hundred and Eighty ($1980.00) Dollars without interest, until the rest of the children be 21 years of age, (which amount shall then be divided in six equal parts) (that is one part for each child) but for the present my Wife shall be authorized keeper, until Waclav (the son) will be 21 years old, that is in two years from now, then the Mother of Waclav Holec shall annually on request get clear one third of all grain which will be raised without compensation, and the said Waclav Holec (son) shall without any charges hand (convey) the said portion of grain if the Mother shall want it to be done, to nearest market, either to Cedar Rapids, or Western Collegium, and also the said Waclav Holec (son) shall without charge keep and feed our Corn for her, with his stock, and will give her Thirty dozens of hens eggs (annually) all this the said Waclav Holec will give to his mother to her death, in case that they could not live together (would not agree) the said Waclav Holec will be obliged (compelled) to build (erect) for his Mother one room on the side of the same room in which he shall live, under one roof so called Shanty as long as the house is or will be and Eight (8) feet wide either block or frame lined inside with brick well (warm?) room so that she (Mother) could live in with rest of children then the Mother must have her own stool for that the Mother will pay to Waclav Holec (son) Twenty Five (25) Dollars and the said Waclav Holec shall furnish near the house all the burning fuel she will need without charge to the mother, and children until (15) years old must work for the said Waclav Holec without charges, when at the age of fifteen years, each child can work for his own benefit, either for Waclav Holec according to special agreement or for somebody else, or learn trade. Waclav Holec (son) as above said, receive the One Hundred Twenty Eight (128) acres of land, for the sum of One Thousand nine Hundred and Eighty ($1980.00) Dollars, and further he shall have without charge after he is Twenty one (21) years of age, Two working Horses (Mares) and all those farm implements which we now have viz: one Wagon, One Reaper, Two Plows: one large and one small Harrows, and all those smaller implements and tools belonging to it, and Our Corn, and two large Sows and all seed grain and feed for horses the first year until he will have his own. Witnessed by:
State of Iowa Johnson County I, J.C. Switzer, Clerk of the Circuit Court in
and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument in
writing, was on the 22nd day of November, 1872 upon competent Testimony,
duly proved to be a true copy of the last Will and Testament of Waclav
Holec late of Johnson County, Deceased. (The original being written
in the Bohemian language) and as such admitted to probate and allowed,
as and for the last Will & Testament of Waclav Holec decedent, and
record made thereof in Probate Record No. 6 at page 841. Of the probate
records of said Court. In witness whereof I have herunto let my hand
and affixed the seal of said Court this 22nd day of November 1872.
*Note: Information about the witnesses of Vaclav’s will according
to Otillie Holets Horak:
Taken from the History of Johnson County, Iowa (p. 744) Wesley J. Holets is a good example of the public spirited and useful Bohemian-American citizens of Johnson County, where his parents were early settlers. He has spent his life in useful endeavor, as did his parents before him, and has been actively identified in whatever movements were calculated to advance the welfare of all. The old house where his parents first lived is still standing and is an interesting landmark. It is well known to the citizens of Jefferson and adjoining townships, for within its hospitable walls were entertained many of the early settlers upon their arrival from Bohemia. An engraving of this old house is contained in this publication and will recall happy memories to many an early resident of the county. Wesley J. Holets was born in Bohemia, a son of Wesley and Annie Holets, who came to America when he was eight years old and located on the farm in Jefferson Township where he now lives. The father continued in active farm work until the time of his death, many years since, when Wesley J. was a youth, and the mother survived until 1909, passing away at the age of seventy-one years. They were parents of seven children: Wesley J.; Esther Anna, now Mrs. Joseph Jonish (Jonas), of Ely, Iowa; John of Fairfax, Iowa, engaged in the harness business; Joseph, in the harness business at Ely, Iowa; Frank, working at the trade of tinner, at Cedar Rapids; Katherine, married Al Latimer, engaged in the wholesale and retail shoe business at Cedar Rapids; Mary, wife of Joseph Kubicek of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Holets was educated in the public schools of Jefferson Township and early began with assisting on the home farm. he has devoted all his active years to farming, taking charge of the home place when young and improving and developing it in various ways. He is a wide awake and enterprising farmer and is interested in local affairs. He has held several minor offices, such as township trustee, road supervisor and school director, and is a democrat in political belief but votes for the man rather than for the part as a rule. Having lived in the township since early boyhood, he has a large number of friends, among whom he is popular and well liked. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him and his honesty and integrity of purpose are well recognized. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Holets married Miss Anna Drinkowsky (correct spelling -
Drinovsky), a native of Bohemia, who was brought by her parents to America
in early childhood. Her parents were among the early settlers of
Jefferson Township, where they engaged in farming, and helped materially
in the development of their community, remaining there the rest of their
days. Mr. and Mrs. Holets have five children, namely, Mary, wife
of Fred Sulek, a farmer of Jefferson township; Annie, Mrs. Joseph Sirowy,
on a farm in Linn County; William, employed by Jackson Grain Company,
at Swisher; Charles W., a farmer of Jefferson township; Edward is engaged
in a grocery business at Cedar Rapids.
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Wesley J. Holets and Family