John H. Kral
John H. Kral, a prosperous and well known agriculturist of Crawford county, is the owner of four hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in West Side township.
His birth occurred in Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa, on the 20th of July, 1864, his parents being Joseph and Theresa (Slechta) Kral, both of whom were natives of Bohemia. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1861, locating in Johnson county, Iowa, and later purchasing land there. On the 21st of May, 1875, they came to Crawford county, here also buying a tract of land. Joseph Kral was successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits in this county throughout the remainder of his active business career and passed away on the 16th of May, 1900. His widow, who has attained the age of eighty-eight years and still enjoys good health, now makes her home with one of her sons in Crawford county. Unto them were born eleven children, five of whom are yet living.
John H. Kral acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Starting out as an agriculturist on his own account, he bought forty acres of land in Milford township and later added to his holdings by additional purchase as his financial resources increased. He now owns four hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land in West Side township and in connection with the tilling of the soil makes a specialty of raising Duroc Jersey hogs. He feeds from six to ten carloads of cattle annually, and in both branches of his business has won a gratifying measure of success.
On the 5th of January, 1886, Mr. Kral was united in marriage to Miss Frances B. Fiala, who was born in Bohemia on the 2d of April, 1866, her parents being Joseph and Mary (Haskovec) Fiala, likewise natives of that country. Emigrating to the United States, they landed in New York city on the 1st of January, 1867, and later settled on a farm in Johnson county, Iowa. subsequently they removed to Webster county, this state, there spending the remainder of their lives. Joseph Fiala passed away on the 17th of December, 1898, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 4th of August, 1897. They reared a family of eight children, all of whom still survive.
Mr. and Mrs. Kral likewise have eight children, as follows: Rose, whose birth occurred on the 7th of October, 1886; Leon L., whose natal day was January 15, 1889; Milo George, who was born January 3, 1891; Mary T., who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the rst of June, 1893; Adaline, whose birth occurred January 23, 1896; Lydia Josephine, who was born June 5, 1898; Joseph Edward, born July 25, 1900; and Edwin Victor, whose natal day was February 23, 1905.
Fraternally Mr. Kral is identified with the Masons, belonging to Lodge No. 422 at Vail, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is also a member of the Yeomen at Vail, while both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star there. Their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Kral's business interests have been carefully conducted, his duties of citizenship capably performed and at all times he has been true to the obligations and responsibilities that have devolved upon him in every relation of life, making him one of the worthy and much respected residents of his community.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.