Vaclav J. Kohout was born at Omaha, August 27, 1879, the son of Vaclav and Anna M. (Techacek) Kohout. His father, who was born at Nova Kdyn, Pilzensky, Czechoslovakia, January 1, 1854, and died at Wilber, October 26, 1929, was a farmer and nurseryman; he came to America, October 12, 1872. His mother was born at Merklin, Pilsenke, Czechoslovakia, 1857. She came to this country May, 1871; her family was in the textile mill business in Czechoslovakia. She has been active in club work for many years at Wilber.
Mr. Kohout, who has lived in Nebraska for 51 years, has been in the garage business for 22 years, and in the implement business for the past five years. He owns and manages his own garage; and is president of the Saline County Building & Loan Association. He is a member of the Commercial Club; the National Travel Club; the Nebraskana Society, National Geographic Society, Z C B J, and the Sokol.
He married Rose M. Tachovsky at Wilber, February 25, 1903. Mrs. Kohout was born at Wilber, October 28, 1880. Two children were born to them: Sylvia R., born June 12, 1903, who married Rudolf Hubka; and Otto J., born November 9, 1905, who died July 9, 1926. Sylvia received high honors in school, and was a piano instructor for several years. Residence: Wilber.
Vincent Kokes
Vincent Kokes, insurance and real estate dealer, was born at Bela, Czecho Slovakia, March 16, 1866, and is the son of Joseph and Anna (Borka) Kokes. The father was born in Czecho Slovakia, and died at Lincoln, July 9, 1896. He was a farmer who came directly to Valley County, Nebraska, upon his arrival in America in 1880. His wife, Anna, was born in Bohemia, and died there in 1880.
Mr. Kokes attended Bohemian schools until the age of 14. Upon coming to America, he was engaged in the drug business at Ord for 12 years, served as county clerk of Valley County from 1894 until 1900, and for 20 years was engaged in the banking business at Ord. At the present time he is president of the Bank of Scotia.
His marriage to Lydia L. Ledvina was solemnized at Wahoo, September 20, 1892. Mrs. Kokes was born at Green Bay, Wisconsin, July 22, 1870. They have one son, Edward L., born October 4, 1899, who married Helen Hamsa. He is assistant cashier of the Bank of Scotia.
Mr. Kokes is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Ord, the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Recently he was made a life member of the Nebraskana Society. Residence: Ord.
Carl Albert Kollmeyer
Born at Quincy, Illinois, April 2, 1891, Carl Albert Kollmeyer is the son of John Henry and Catherine (Moenning) Kollmeyer. His father was born in Quincy, January 18, 1857. A traveling salesman 10 years, he was the owner of a fruit farm twenty years, and now owns a peony farm. His parents came to America from Germany in their youth. His wife, Catherine, was born in Quincy, September 19, 1859, and is of German parentage.
Carl Albert Kollmeyer attended St. Francis Parochial School, and was graduated from the Gem City Business College in 1909. In 1910 he was bookkeeper for the Quincy Stove Company, and was a salesman on the road for them until 1920. During 1920-21 he was western representative for the Rudy Furnace Company of Dowagiac, Michigan, and on January 1, 1922, became a partner of H. Doering in the Doering Hardware Company. On January 1, 1929, he bought the Doering interests and became sole owner.
On October 17, 1917, he was united in marriage to Rosalia Zita Stroot, at Quincy, Illinois. She was born there, July 10, 1894, and before her marriage was secretary to her father, August C. Stroot. Mr. Kollmeyer is a Republican. He served as a private with the 122nd Infantry, 31st Division from June, 1918, to December, 1918. At the present time he is first vice commander of Henry Teigeler Post of the American Legion. During 1929-30 he was president of the Fremont Retail Merchants' Association, and served as treasurer of the Fremont Advertising Club 1927-28. He is a Catholic, and a member of St. Patrick's Church, and is grand knight of Phil Sheridan Council 1497, Knights of Columbus, at the present time. He is also a member of the Nebraskana Society, the Red Cross and the Young Men's Christian Association. His business is his hobby, and his sport is golf. Residence: Fremont.
William Arista Kommers
William Arista Kommers, a pharmacist at Hyannis, Nebraska, has lived in this state all his life. He was born at Firth, Nebraska, June 24, 1891, the son of John and Lillian May (Phillips) Kommers. His father, who was born at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, April 4, 1851, and died at Orange, California, June 21, 1927, was a blacksmith, carriage maker, and farmer who served as mayor of Firth and was an active church worker; he was past master of the Masonic Lodge and lectured for that organization; his father and brother were killed in action during the Civil War.
His mother, who was born in Iowa, November 20, 1864, is a clubwoman and church worker at Orange, California. She served in secretarial work for several years prior to her marriage. Her maternal ancesters came to Nebraska from Indiana in the early days of this state, making the trip overland in a covered wagon, and her grandfather was killed by the Indians while they were homesteading near Nebraska City, Nebraska.
Mr. Kommers was graduated from the high school at Ansley, Nebraska, and attended college at Fremont where he passed the examinations given by the State Board of Pharmacy in 1912 and was awarded the degree, Registered Pharmacist. In 1913 he settled on a homestead near Hyannis, and the following year purchased a drug store there. He has been successfully engaged in the latter business for the past 18 years, and is active in community affairs at Hyannis.
He is president of the Hyannis Lions Club, is president of the Hyannis School Board, holds membership in the Red Cross and the Nebraskana Society, and is past master of the local Masonic Lodge. Mr. Kommers was formerly mayor of Hyannis, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Woodmen of the World. His recreations include golfing, tennis, radio mechanics, reading, and music.
On August 12, 1913, his marriage to Maybelle May Westover occurred at Lincoln, Nebraska. Mrs. Kommers, whose parents were settlers of the sand hills of Nebraska in early days, was born at Hyannis, October 27, 1895. Her parents were Robert J. and Elizabeth (Chrisnian) Westover. Mrs. Kommers was graduated from Hyannis High School and is a member of the Woman's Club and the Booklover's Club. She attends the Congregational Church. Their two sons are, William, born July 30, 1915; and Howard, born June 1, 1917. Both boys are active in athletics in the Hyannis High School. Residence: Hyannis.
Anton Kopac
Anton Kopac, automobile dealer, and one of Nebraska's leading farm owners, was born at West Point, Nebraska, September 21, 1871, and has always lived in the state. His father, Mike Kopac, a farmer, was born at Klatovi, Bohemia, February 25, 1836, and died at Schuyler, July 28, 1894. He came to this country March 25, 1871. His mother, Jose (Janca) Kopac, was born at Kla-
NEBRASKANA |
679 |
tovi, November 20, 1846, and died at Schuyler, April 25, 1888.
Mr. Kopac received his education in the rural schools of Nebraska, and since that time has been a farmer in Colfax County, where he has been active in the advancement of his community. During the Spanish-American War he served as a soldier in the Second Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, He is a member of the Nebraskana Society; is affiliated with the Republican Party; and holds membership in the First Presbyterian Church at Schuyler.
His marriage to Agnes Schultz was solemnized at Schuyler, September 26, 1911. Mrs. Kopac was born at Schuyler, November 23, 1885. Residence: Schuyler.
Lewis Kopecky
Lewis Kopecky, who is a farmer and hay dealer at Inman, was born in Omaha, May 15, 1883, the son of Frank and Anna (Cemper) Kopecky. His father, who was a blacksmith and farmer, was born at Skuparovski, Czechoslovakia, and died at Newman Grove, Nebraska. His mother, a native of Caslav, Czechoslovakia, died at Newman Grove.
Mr. Kopecky was employed in the South Omaha Public Library for a time, worked for the Thomas Kilpatrick Company there, and is now a farmer and hay dealer near Inman, where he is serving as moderator of the local school board. He is affiliated with the Methodist Church of Inman, and holds membership in the Nebraskana Society. He is especially interested in gardening.
He was united in marriage with Josephine Holub at Omaha, August 11, 1909. Mrs. Kopecky was born at Omaha, March 23, 1888. Two children, were born to them: Lewis Frank, September 25, 1911; and Jerry John, August 4, 1913, who died January 7, 1931. Lewis F., who is a farmer, was graduated from the Inman High School with valedictory honors. Residence: Inman.
Andrew Kopperud
Andrew Kopperud, prominent banker of Omaha, was born at De Smet, Kingsbury County, South Dakota, October 8, 1880. His father, Niels Anderson Kopperud, was born at Oslo, Norway, came to America when a young man, and was a farmer and banker; he held various positions in local political offices. He died in June, 1917.
His mother, Mary (Hansen) Kopperud, was born at Drammen, Norway, and died at Rochester, Minnesota, in April, 1920.
Mr. Kopperud was graduated from the public schools at Milwaukee, and later was graduated from the Hoffman Business Institute at Milwaukee. He was a student at the State College at Brookings, South Dakota, for a time, and also attended the State Teachers College at Madison, South Dakota.
He has been connected with various country banks as cashier and president; was president of the Security Bank Trust Company at Webster, South Dakota; and is president of the Oldham National Bank at Oldham, South Dakota. He is now vice president and treasurer of the Federal Land Bank and the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank of Omaha.
He has held various executive positions in professional organizations, among them treasurer and president of the South Dakota Bankers Association; member of the executive committee of the American Bankers Association. He served as school treasurer at Lake Preston, and Webster, for many years. He was alderman at Webster for six years.
His marriage to Mabel Laura Matthews was solemnized at Madison, Lake County, South Dakota, December 28, 1916. Mrs. Kopperud, whose ancestry is Scotch and Irish, was born at Madison, May 8, 1891. They have three children: Mary Jane, born February 10, 1920; Della, born November 27, 1921; and Andrew, Jr., born July 4, 1924.
He is a member of the Rotary Club at Omaha. He is a member of the South Dakota Horticultural Society; the Young Men's Christian Association; the Athletic Club of Omaha; and the Nebraskana Society. He is an Odd Fellow, a Mason, and Shriner. He is affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church of Omaha. His hobby is fishing. He is a Republican., Residence: Omaha.
Walter William Korff
Walter William Korff, lumberman, was born at Lanham, Gage County, Nebraska, May 8, 1893. He is the son of Henry Korff, born in Germany, who has been prominent in the affairs of Thayer County for a number of years, and who was the organizer of the Korff Lumber Company. Henry Korff married Caroline Brockmeyer, who was born in Kansas, of German and English parentage.
Educated first in the public school at Odell, Nebraska, Walter W. Korff was graduated from Midland College Academy in 1911, and later attended Midland College. In 1913 he entered the lumber business, continuously at Waterville, Kansas, until 1922, and since that time in Hebron. He is now part owner and manager of the Korff Lumber Company.
On August 29, 1915, Mr. Korff was married to Margaret Sharpless, at Atchison, Kansas. Mrs. Korff, who is of English descent, was born in Kansas, on September 8, 1895. There are three children: Naomi, born August 29, 1917; William, born March 16, 1920, and Donald, born December 10, 1925.
Mr. Korff is a Republican. His present memberships include the Masons, the Nebraskana Society, and lumber and implement trade associations. Mr. Korff is affiliated with the Hebron Presbyterian Church, has served on the Hebron school board three years, and for two years was mayor of Hebron. Residence: Hebron.
Otto Albin Kostal
Born at Germania, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1899, Otto Albin Kostal is the son of Albin and Marie (Bower) Kostal. His father, a farmer, was born in Germany, came to this country in 1889, and died at Omaha, Nebraska, October 20, 1927. His mother was born in Austria in 1877.
Dr. Kostal attended the public schools of Sarpy County, Nebraska, was graduated from South Omaha High School in 1918, and received the B. S. degree at the Municipal University of Omaha, 1921. In 1923 he was awarded the degree Doctor of Medicine at the University of Nebraska where he was a member of Phi Chi. He served his interneship at the Omaha Methodist Hospital, 1923, and in 1924 was a member of the staff of Gorgas Memorial Hospital in the Canal Zone. Since 1924 he has been engaged in general medical practice at Giltner, Nebraska.
He is a member of the Giltner School Board, the Hamilton County Medical Society, Nebraska State Medical Society, and the American Medical Society. He holds membership in the Red Cross and the Nebraskana Society; he is a 32nd degree Mason, holding membership in the Scottish Rite and Shrine bodies. In 1920 Dr. Kostal was president of the Science Club at Omaha.
In 1931 he was tennis champion of Hamilton County, Nebraska; his other sports include big game hunting. A Republican, he has served as chairman of the village board at Giltner since 1927. He was united in marriage with Florea S. Strickland at Lincoln, January 22, 1926. Mrs. Kostal, who is a nurse; was born at Kansas City, Missouri, September 19, 1897. To their marriage two children were born: Betty Joan, April 22, 1927; and Mary Lou, October 9, 1928. Residence: Giltner.
Otto Kotouc
Otto Kotouc, banker and author, was born at Humboldt, Nebraska, April 22, 1885. He is of Czech ancestry, his parents being Frank and Marie (Hon) Kotouc, the former born at Ransko, Bohemia, October 25, 1889, and the latter born at Hermanuv Mestec, Bohemia, April 24, 1850. Frank Kotouc was a harness maker by trade, who came to America in 1882. He was a teacher in the Bohemian school at Humboldt for about twenty years prior to his death on December 25, 1916.
After his graduation from the Humboldt High School in 1903, Otto Kotouc attended the University of Nebraska, receiving his B. A. in 1908. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and of Acacia. At the university he was a member of the Latin Club.
His marriage to Camille Cernik took place at Ord, Nebraska, August 29, 1912. Mrs. Kotouc was born at Ord, July 22, 1892. They have two children, Otto, Jr., born June 15, 1913; and Marie Louise, born March 1, 1917, who attends Humboldt High School.
Always active in the Democratic party, Mr. Kotouc served as member of the state legislature of 1909 and 1911. He is now chairman of the Democratic county central committee. From 1909-15 he was assistant cashier of the State Bank of Humboldt, and cashier of the Home State Bank, from 1915-25; since that time he has been president of that bank.
Poet and author, he made contributions to Poet Lore (1916, 17, 18), is the author of Bohemian Settlement at Humboldt in History of Richardson County (1917; Songs of the Slav (1919); contributions to An Anthology of Czechoslovak Poetry (Columbia University Press, 1929). He was associate editor of Komensky Magazine (1909-11).
During the World War he was a member of the Nebraska Council of Defense, chairman of Four Minute Men, chairman of loan drives, secretary of the local Red Cross, fuel administrator and advisory member of the draft board. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Humboldt, past chairman of the Richardson County. Bankers Association, past president of the fourth Nebraska Regional Clearing House Association, and president of the State Bankers Association. He was member of the advisory board, Richardson County Court House, 1923-24, and was secretary of the board of education six years, and of the Bruun Memorial Library several years. He is also past president of the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce. His fraternal organizations indude the Odd Fellow, the Knights of Pythias and the C. S. P. S. He is a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Shrine, the Knights Templar and Order of Eastern Star. He is also affiliated with the state and university Y. M. C. A. His sport is fishing, and his chief recreation is reading. Residence: Humboldt.
Frank Koudele
One of Saunders County's most outstanding citizens, Frank Koudele was born at Wahoo, May 4, 1883, son of Frank and Frances (Vanous) Koudele. Frank Koudele, Sr., was born in Bohemia, December 3, 1849, and came to America about 1870. A butcher, he later became a successful business man and banker. He died at Wahoo, April 22, 1920. His wife, Frances, was born in Bohemia, in November, 1852, and is living.
Mr. Koudele attended the public schools, and Wahoo High School to the tenth grade. Since 1899 he has been associated with the Weston Bank, of which he is president. He is a director of that bank, and of the Weston Grain and Stock Company. A Republican, he was for some time chairman and member of the village board, and takes and active interest in community affairs. He is a former member and secretary of the Weston School Board, and during the World War was active in Red Cross and Liberty Loan drives. He is a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Shrine and Eastern Star, and of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows.
On June 19, 1907, he was united in marriage to Helen Henrietta Jacobs at Wahoo. Mrs. Koudele who is a bank director, was born at Yutan, Nebraska, June 2, 1884. They have two sons, Gordon F., born June 9, 1912, who is a bank clerk; and Joseph W., born August 21, 1920, who is a student in school. Mr. Koudele enjoys all forms of athletics, especially football and baseball. His favorite game is bowling. Residence: Weston. (Photograph on Page 681).
Denman Kountze
On October 28, 1899, Denman Kountze was born a Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Charles and May (Burns) Kountze. His father, who was born at Omaha, September 26, 1871, was a pioneer banker in Nebraska, and is still engaged in the banking business. His mother was born at Omaha, and died there.
Mr. Kountze attended Columbia High School at Omaha, and was a student at St. Paul's School at Concord, New Hampshire, and the University School at Cleveland, Ohio. Later he attended the University of Nebraska and Yale University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi and the Bergeluis Society. He has lived in Omaha all his life, and is now vice president of the First National Bank of Omaha. He is a partner in the firm Kountze Brothers of New York City.
His marriage to May Malloy Harris was solemnized at Memphis, Tennessee; Mrs. Kountze was born at Memphis. They have two children: Malloy, born November 17, 1924; and Denman, born June 10, 1929. During the World War Mr. Kountze served as a corporal in the tank corps. He is a member of the American Legion.
He holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce at Omaha, and the Kiwanis Club. His social clubs are: Omaha Club, Omaha Athletic Club, Omaha Country Club, Yale Club of New York, and Wiamco Club, at Wiamco, Massachusetts. He is affiliated with Trinity Cathedral at Omaha. He is a Democrat, and is a member of the Nebraskana Society. Residence: Omaha.
Anna Kovanda
Anna Kovanda was born at Pawnee City, Nebraska, February 28, 1873, the daughter of John and Mary (Yrtiska) Clema. Her father, who was born in Czechoslovakia, July 12, 1840, came to America in 1849 where he engaged in farming and stock raising. He died at Steinauer, Nebraska, January 5, 1924.
Her mother was born in Czechoslovakia, March 25, 1844, and died at Table Rock, Nebraska, October 27, 1927. She was active in church affairs; and took part in community and religious musical activities.
Mrs. Kovanda's education was received in high school with two additional years of academic work, and special training in dramatics. She has lived in Nebraska all her life and has always been interested in church and club affairs. For four years she was state vice president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, prior to the enactment of woman suffrage, and during that time kept headquarters at the Lincoln Epworth Assembly and also at Pawnee City, during their Chautauqua. On February 16, 1920, she was awarded, by Carrie Chapman Catt, a certificate of honor for her services. She was assistant postmistress at Table Rock for nine years.
She was married to Anthony B.. Kovanda, at Pawnee City, on August 18, 1891. Mr. Kovanda, who is a banker, was born at Czechoslovakia, May 6, 1863. Their son, Rudolph, who war born March 22, 1893, is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, is president of the State Bank of Elk Creek at Elk Creek, Nebraska.
During the World War Mrs. Kovanda was president of the local Red Cross, and took part in every drive for funds. She is a member of the Order of Eastern Star.
|
