JACOB PROCHASKA, the oldest Bohemian settler of the community south of town passed away late Wednesday afternoon at the home of his niece, Mrs. James Vodraska, which was the farm he homesteaded in 1877 and upon which he had spent most of the half century of his life here. Mr. Prochaska was a fine old gentleman, honest, upright and highly respected by all. Jacob Prochaska was born near Pilzen, Czechoslovakia, Europe, July 26, 1842. He came to America May 12, 1871 and for six years worked in a roundhouse in New York City. He was married in 1877 to Miss Mary Blaha, also from Europe, and came West in search of a homestead landing in Salina April 15, 1877. In those days Salina was the end of the railroad, so he hired a man to bring them to Ottawa county, where he homesteaded and farmed seven miles north of Ada. To this union was born one son, Joseph in 1882, who died in 1892. The following year, they adopted their niece, Anna Prochaska as their own daughter. His wife preceded him in death, August 27, 1912. In 1914 he moved to Ada, where he was married to Mrs. Josephine Kopecny, living there till her death January 25, 1925. Afterward, he made his home on the old homestead with his niece and her husband until his death July 27, 1927, aged 85 years and one day. He belonged to the Catholic Church in his young manhood. He leaves to mourn his loss, one brother, W.J. Prohaska, of Simpson, and a nephew in Europe; also six nephews and two nieces, and a brother-in-law, Wolf Blaha, of Bennington, besides a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. D.T. Burres, pastor of the Ada Baptist church, July 29, and his body was laid to rest in the Bohemian National Cemetery
PARENTS: Johann & Ewa (Heitmann) Prochazk
SIBLING: Wencel Josef Prochaska