Bio: Jeras, Valentine & Family

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Jeras, Petkovsek

----Source: Family Scrapbook

Our parents were born in Austria which is now Jugoslavia. They were married in Europe. Valentine's trade was being a mason. He went to Germany to find work. Four children were born in Germany: Valentine, Joseph, Johanna and Frank.

Valentine heard from a friend that workers were being hired in the coal mines of Springfield, Illinois. He came to America alone to work in the mines. He saved enough money to bring his wife and children to America. In Springfield three more children were born: Tony, Mary and Catherine.

Valentine heard from a friend in Willard, John Petkovsek, that land was for sale. This was a 60 acre hun¬ting ground. A small building was surrounded by trees.

Valentine came to Willard to get a farm started. He then sent for the rest of the family. All worked hard to bring the farm from trees and rocks to a nice dairy farm.

William Petkovsek now owns the farm land. Valen¬tine and Joseph are deceased. Johanna lives in Peoria, Il¬linois. Frank lives in California. Tony lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mary lives in La Grange, Illinois. Catherine lives in North Riverside, Illinois.