Section Seven: John's Life in Nebraska

This page shares documents, photos and stories about John Zvolanek's life from his 1911 arrival at Ellis Island until his death near Rulo Nebraska in 1941.

It is almost certain that in 1911 - after his arrival in Nebraska - John immediately settled in the area of Humboldt NE (working for Jozef Nemec according to his ledger addresses.) Later he moved to 

Du Bois NE where he worked as a machinist/mechanic. 

Grandfather is driving a 1911 Cadillac roadster, or similar make of touring car.  This is a Kodak AZO postcard, produced between 1904-1918.

While living in DuBois, he met my grandmother, Mabel Darveau, born in nearby Rulo NE and working as a housekeeper in DuBois.

 

John's 1917-1918 World War I Draft Registration Card shows that he was employed at William Meier, Du Bois NE as a machinist (mechanic?) and was married to Mabel by that time.



He is also listed as a naturalized citizen on his draft card.

It was in October 1917 that he sent a letter home to Russia that came back "Return to John Zvolanek."  After that, he lost touch with his family.

My mother, Marjory Ruth Zvolanek was born on May 4, 1918.

On July 20, 1920 John received his United States Department of Labor Certificate of Naturalization. This document confirms that prior to being an American citizen, he was a subject of Austria.

When he officially became a US Citizen, John was 29, Mabel was 21 and my mother Marjory Ruth was 2 years old. They had apparently left DuBois and were residing in Humboldt Nebraska.

Later, John and Mabel moved to Rulo Nebraska where Mabel had been born.  John became a business owner, running his own mechanic garage.  It even had a cafe.  He was also the owner of a hardware store.

John is right of center in this photo, wearing a dark outfit and no hat.

John had six children: Marjory, Jean, Edward, Rosalie,
John Stanley and Joseph.

John Zvolanek with Stan (John Jr.), Ed, Joe, Mabel and Rosalie.

By this time Marjory and Jean had both married and moved away.

John and Mabel proudly posing with their granddaughter, Rosalie Marie Parker, Jean's daughter. Although this was the only Grandchild that John got to see, he and Mabel have many Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren.

Sadly, my Grandfather died of a ruptured ulcer in 1941 when he was only 50.
But he had led an extraordinary life - quite the Adventurer, Craftsman and Entrepreneur.

After my mother Marjory passed away in 1984, my father Rene Chevalier gave me the letter below, postmarked October 27, 1941 from Grandma Mabel, Mrs. John Zvolanek in Rulo NE.  She had written details of Grandpa's death for my mother who was married and living in Washington DC.  I'll share the first two pages below.  The entire letter can be more easily viewed in its entirety here on Shutterfly.