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Anthony Shimerda
Born December 19, 1836


ANTHONY SHIMERDA, farmer, Oxford Twp., Sec. 6; P.O. Wyoming; born in Europe in 1835; came to America in 1852, and settled in Jackson Co.; remained about thirteen years, then came to Jones Co.; owns 260 acres of land, and has built a barn 30x62 feet, with all the modern improvements, with a wind-mill, which he uses for all the labor about the house. He has been Road Supervisor. His wife, Catherine Jabokrcy, was born in Bohemia in 1837; came to America in 1854, and settled at Cedar Rapids, and was married in 1857; they have ten children living—Josephine, Annie, Anthony, John, Mary, Emmie, Henry, Frank, Charlie, Francis and Isabel.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 596.
Note: This bio appears in the book with the name misspelled as "Shemerdor."

It is but fitting that the life record of Anthony Shimerda should have prominent mention in a history of Jones county, for he was numbered among its most successful farmers and business men, owning at the time of his death seven hundred acres of land. As the name indicates, he was born in Bohemia, December 19, 1836, a son of Joseph and Katherine Shimerda, who, on emigrating with their family to the new world in 1851, established their home in Jackson county, Iowa, they being the first of that race to locate in the county. Their family numbered five children, but only two survive, and both the parents are deceased.
Anthony Shimerda was a youth of fifteen years when the family came to America, so that his education was acquired in the schools of Bohemia ere he sought a home in the new world. He shared with the other members of the family in the privations incident to the establishing a home in a country, where the language, manners and customs of the people were foreign to them. He assisted his father in the work on the farm until he reached mature years, so that when he started out to make his own way in the world he was well fitted to meet all the responsibilities he had to face.
Mr. Shimerda was about twenty-two years of age, when, wishing to establish a home of his own, he chose as a companion for the journey of life, Miss Katherine Zabokstsky, their marriage being celebrated on the 22d of June, 1858. Mrs. Shimerda, like her husband, was born in Bohemia in 1837 and was a young maiden when in 1851 she accompanied her parents on their voyage across the Atlantic to the new world.
Having become established in their new home Mr. and Mrs. Shimerda at once began their domestic life in earnest and through energy and good management eventually acquired a large acreage, Mr. Shimerda devoting his attention to general farming throughout his entire business career. He possessed splendid business ability and this was the secret of his prosperity, so that at the time of his death, which occurred March 18, 1908, he left an estate of seven hundred acres to his family, this being located in Oxford township, and he likewise owned considerable stock in the Savings Bank at Oxford Junction.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shimerda were born the following named: Joseph, a resident of Howard, South Dakota; Anna, deceased; Anthony and John, both residents of Nebraska; Mary, the wife of Frank Heniak, of Jones county; Emma. who has departed this life; Henry and Frank, both residents of Oxford township; Charles, of Battle Creek, Iowa; Frances, the wife of Clifford McMahan, a resident of Creston, Iowa; Elizabeth the wife of Frank Zinn; Edwin, who makes his home in Oxford township; and Freddie, who is deceased.
Mr. Shimerda gave his political support to the men and measures of democracy but was not an office seeker, avoiding publicity and preferring to live the quiet life of the farmer. He was a Catholic in religious faith. His purposes were ever kindly and his family mourn the loss of a devoted husband and father, while those who were associated with him either in business or social relations feel deeply the loss of an influential and highly respected citizen. Mrs. Shimerda, who is also a communicant of the Catholic church, occupies a nice residence in Oxford Junction, which she owns, and although she has disposed of a portion of her farm lands she still retains possession of two hundred acres and this supplies her with all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. She has many friends in and around the village where she makes her home and all esteem her for her many excellent traits of heart and mind.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 448.

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