Memorials › Frank R. Horak Sr

Frank R. Horak Sr

28 Jan 1863 – 27 Jan 1946

Birth28 Jan 1863
Death27 Jan 1946
CemeteryWest Brethren Cemetery
West , McLennan County , Texas , USA
Added byKansas Proud on 25 Jan 2024
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50863024

Bio

The following information was provided by Katherine Horak Smith. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ This appreared in the West News, Thursday, February 1, 1996 under 50 Years Ago.... [Frank Horak was born january 28, 1863 in Hodslavice, Moravia and died January 27, 1946 in West, TX.] Frank Horak, Sr. age 82, passed away at his home in this community at 1:46 Sunday afternoon. Funeral services were held at Aderhold Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Tuesday and at the C.M.B. Church at 2 p.m., Rev. Joseph Hegar and Rev. V. J. Janek officiating. Interment was in C.M.B. Cemetery. Pallbearers were Emil J. Janek, Willie Janek, Rud. Novotny, Willie J. Ermis and Joe F. Janek. Mr. Horak was born in Czechoslovakia, coming to the country and community 64 years ago. He had resided here since that time. Mr. Horak was one of the earliest settlers in this section. He saw this community grow from a vast open prairie to one of the finest agricultural communities in the state. Discussing pioneer days before his death, Mr. Horak recalled damaging prairie fires that swept this country some sixty years ago. He also related many stories to his children and grandchildren concerning the abundance of wild game in this community more than a century ago. Deceased had been in ill health for several years. After the outbreak of war, he expressed a desire to live until peace again prevailed. Having come to this country to escape a military regime in Europe, he wanted to see this type of leadership destroyed. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Joe Foit of West and Mrs. A. V. Owen of Waco, and one son, F.H. Horak, of West; 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. [Preceding him in death was his wife, Anna Janek Horak, and one son, Adolf Horak, and an infant child.] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Brethren Journal, April 1946. Frank HORAK, son of Josef HORAK and Marie, nee KUDELKA, left Hodslavice, Moravia in October 1881 when he was 19. Josef Horak and Marie Kudelka Horak came to America in November 1881 with their three younger children, by ship to Galveston and rail to Waco, Texas. Joseph, the eldest son, had already been in Texas a year. They did not meet in Waco. Two hometown people (Hromadka and Merenda) ran into them in Waco and took them by wagon to the community of West (Bold Springs). They were renters of a man named Mr. Blume, but before the year 1882 ended, the Horak family bought a farm near Leroy about six miles south of West on which Frank Horak spent the rest of his life (the next 64 years). Frank's mother died in 1888. A year later, 26th of November 1889, Frank brought into the home a new homemaker, Miss Anna Janek, also of Hodslavice. He homesteaded with his father on the home place until Josef Horak's death on March 14, 1903 and further 45 years until her (Anna's) death on the 5th day of October 1934. After the death of his wife, he farmed about 2 years by himself with his grand-nephew, Emil Janek. Then from 1937 with Frank H. Horak, his oldest son, and his family until his death at 1:46 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, the 27th of January, 1946. When he breathed his last breath, he needed only 10 hours to complete the age of 83 years. All his life he was healthy until the last six months. He noticed that his stomach was not working like always. An operation at this age was not possible. He was bedridden about 6 days. When he felt that his earthly life was coming to an end, he desired to partake of the Lord's Supper. At that opportunity, he again repeated his wish that Rev. Joseph Hegar would bring this last service. Frank Horak was the last living charter male member who stayed with the congregation until his death. He was secretary of the congregation when the present cemetery was purchased and when it was agreed to use the Evangelical hymnal and also when in 1910 at the convention in West when the young preachers were ordained (Rev. Joseph Barton and Rev. Joseph Hegar). He was a charter member of the Mutual Aid Society, the Hus Home, and a regular contributing member of the National Society of Czech Protestant Evangelicals. He always supported every good endeavor in the congregation and in the denomination as well as all endeavors concerning the libertizing of the old country. To the cemetery fund of the congregation of West, he left a gift of $100. He was a big reader of the Bible, historical books, and current news. From Czech Hymnals he regularly sang. The works of Palacky's he read through twice completely. During the 3rd reading, he died. Six days before his death he was personally giving us instructions about his funeral. He told us, among other things, that we should, at his funeral, and of the information on the funeral, that we should tell the people that there should be more love and peace among our people, among all people and the denomination. He thanked America that it gave him full political and religious freedom and a decent living. "I am not unhappy with anybody," he said, "and I hope I do not have any living enemy who will hold anything against me when I am dying." He was not an angel, but it should be said of him that he was one of those peaceful people who, even with his weaknesses, still always worked toward peace. He also asked us that we should instruct the people of his last wish, so that they would read history, especially his dear works of Palacky and that they take an interest in their national and religious responsibilities. He left here a son, Frank H. Horak, his wife Katherine, nee Wirtel and their three children; his daughter Caroline, her husband, Joe Foit, of West and their 8 children; his daughter Libbie, her husband A.V. Owen and their two children; daughter-in-law Annie Horak, nee Krizan, widow of recently deceased Adolph, and her daughter. He left 14 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. His funeral and his cemetery interment was conducted, at his wish, by his nephew, the Rev. V.J. Janek of Lampasas and Rev. Joseph Hegar of Temple.

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