Obit: Cesnik, Ignacija “Ignac” (1878 –  1946)

Transcriber: Mary Urban

Surnames: Cesnik, Zadel, Sain

----Source: Scrapbook

Cesnik, Ignacija “Ignac” (3 Jul 1878 – 1 Jan 1946)

On January 1, our compatriot Ignacija Cesnik died at his home. Since he was the founder of our well-known settlement and is known to many compatriots throughout America, it will certainly be helpful to many if we tell a little more about him.

Ignacij Cesnik, son of Janez and Helena Cesnik, was born on 31 July 1878 in Zagorje near Sent Peter (Pivka), Notranjska region, Slovenia. When he was 15 years old, he went to South America where he stayed for 9 years. In Brasil he married Slovenian Jerica “Gertrude” Zadel. They had two children there, Mary now Mrs. Anton Sain and John. In 1902 the family came to USA and settled in Joliet, Ill. Where they had two more children, Ignatius and Ann.

Here, Mr. Cesnik started trading with land. He subdivided certain areas into lots, both in Joliet and in nearby Rockdale, Ill.

In 1908 he came to Clark County as employee of Foster Lumber Company to develop the land around today's Willard. He came to Fairchild via North Eastern railroad and he immediately set to work to get settlers to the area.

He was elected to County Board three times, he was the president of the village and one of the first principals of the school district. Lately he was ill.

He leaves behind wife, two daughters Mrs. Anton (Mary) Sain, Whitetail, Mont. and Miss Ann Cesnik, Lake Forrest, Ill., two sons John and Ignatius, Hillsboro, Ill., and two granddaughters.

He was one of America's most honored pioneers. May his memory be blessed.