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Frank F. Shimerda
Born May 22, 1873
Possessing the thrift and energy so characteristic of the foreign race, Frank F. Shimerda is one of the representative young farmers of Jones county, owning five hundred and thirty-five acres of land in Jones and Cedar counties. He was born on the home farm in Oxford township, May 22, 1873, a son of Antone and Katherine Shimerda, both of whom were natives of Bohemia, the father emigrating to the United States when he was a youth of seventeen years. He followed farming in Oxford township for many years, or until five years prior to his death, which occurred March 18, 1908. He is still survived by his widow, who at the age of sixty-eight years makes her home in Oxford Junction. Mr. and Mrs. Shimerda had a family of thirteen children, but three of the number are deceased.
Frank F. Shimerda at the usual age entered the common schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning taught in such institutions. He gave his father the benefit of his services until he attained his majority and he and a brother then rented land, operating three hundred acres and in addition he raised and fed stock, which he shipped to the city markets. In due time the brothers divided their interests and Mr. Shimerda of this review purchased two hundred and fourteen acres on section 31, Oxford township. Three years later he bought two hundred and thirteen acres in Ida county, Iowa, which he held for a year and after disposing of that tract purchased two hundred and sixty-five acres in Cedar county, this state, and two years later he purchased fifty-six acres in Cedar county, just across the border, from Jones county, so that his land practically lies in one body and consists of five hundred and thirty-five acres. He follows general farming but makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, following this business on quite an extensive scale. He keeps his land in tillable condition through the rotation of crops, while he uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors. He also owns a residence property in Oxford Junction.
Mr. Shimerda was married to Miss Emma C. Sokol who was born in Jackson county, Iowa, a daughter of F. J. and Anna Sokol, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Their union has been blessed with one son, George F. Shimerda, who was born January 19, 1899. Mr. Shimerda affiliates with the republican party but his extensive farming and stock-raising interests give him little time for participation in public affairs. His fraternal relations connect him with Masonic lodge, NO. 435, at Oxford Junction, while both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He possesses a character that makes him strong, forceful, determined and aggressive and in this lies the secret of his success.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 462.

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