John Chaloupka Jr. was born in the Hradec Kralove (Konnigratz in German) region of Bohemia (currently the Czech Republic) probably in or near the village of Castolovice, 25 March 1836.  He emigrated to the US around 1855 with his parents and 7 siblings.  The family first settled in Monmouth Township, Jackson County, Iowa (map).  By 1860, John and his brother Frank were living on a neighboring farm (the Diedric Sieben farm) working as farm laborers.

On 28 November 1861, John and his brother Frank had a double wedding at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dubuque, Dubuque County, IA.  John married Rosa Novotny and Frank married Anna Secora.  Together, John and Rosa had 5 children.  On 29 December 1868, John purchased (deed) lot 349 in the East Dubuque addition of the City of Dubuque (on Cedar Street) which was just 2 blocks away from their final residence at 1410 Pine Street.

Rosa passed away 10 April 1900 at the age of 63 (obituary) and was buried in Linwood Cemetery, Dubuque, Dubuque County, IA.  John passed away 26 years later on 24 March 1926 (obituary), and was buried by Rosa's side (tombstone photos). 

Children of John and Rosa:

Joseph Chaloupka (3 January 1865 - 17 December 1942)

Anna Chaloupka (3 February 1867 - 30 April 1948) 

John Chaloupka III (22 September 1870 - 19 September 1929)

William Chaloupka (16 March 1872 - 14 March 1916)

Edward C. Chaloupka (11 December 1879 - 17 May 1936)