Emil Folda
Friends were grievously shocked Wednesday evening of last week when they learned of the sudden death of Emil Folda, 69, prominent and well known resident of Clarkson.
Mr. and Mrs. Folda had spent Tuesday in West Point and he had spent Wednesday about his home in Clarkson as usual. Mr. Folda evidently decided to drive his car to town early Wednesday evening and had gone to his garage to start the car. Mrs. Folda happened to go into the kitchen and noticed a light in the garage. She went out to investigate and found Mr. Folda in the car suffering severe pains in the heart region. A physican was immediately summoned. Mr. Folda passed away as he was being carried to the house and before the arrival of the physician. Death was due to a heart attack.
Mr. Folda was born at Manitowoc, Wis., May 16, 1866. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Folda, pioneer residents of Colfax county who settled in the Heun vicinity in Midland precinct in 1869. Holy Trinity Catholic church at Heun is located on a part of the original Folda farm.
Mr. Folda was one of a family of fine children, five of whom survive. Lambert Folda, Adolph Folda, Longin Folda and Rainold Folda, brothers, preceded him in death. The surviving brothers and sisters are Jaroslav Folda of Omaha, John M. Folda of Howells, Mrs. Vaclav Jonas of Schuyler, Miss Bertha Folda of Howells and Mrs. Fred Jelinek of Norfolk.
Mr. Folda received his first education in the rural schools of Colfax county. As a young man, he was employed as a clerk in the general merchandise store in Schuyler owned by his uncle, the late Frank Folda.
Mr. Folda began his banking career at Linwood in 1889. Soon after he was made assistant cashier of the First National Bank at David City. It was here that he was united in marriage to Miss Emily Peschek. Mrs. Folda passed away April 20, 1904. Mr. Folda returned to Linwood in 1893 to accept the postion as cashier in a bank there and in 1911 he went to Clarkson to accept the presidency of the Clarkson State Bank where he continued his residence until the time of his death. While at Linwood, Mr. Folda served as a member of the board of trustees and chairman of the board of education. He also served as president of the Clarkson commercial club and was a member of the Nebraska Guarantee Fund Commission from 1923 to 1926. He was also a member of the Nebraska State Historical Society, Nebraska Territorial Pioneer association, Czech Nebraska Historical association and the Nebraskana Society.
The deceased was president of the Colfax County Old Settlers’ association at the time of his death.
Mr. Folda’s son, Albin Folda, corporal of Company M, 355th Infantry, 89th Division in the World War saw active service at the Battle of St. Mihiel, Sept. 12, 1918. He was killed near Romagne. Albin was assistant cashier of the Clarkson State Bank when he entered the service. Mr. and Mrs. Folda made two trips to France to visit the grave of their son.
Mr. Folda took an active part in affairs attendant to the World War. He was chairman of the Red Cross and Council of Defense, as well as a member of the Four Minute Men and other important committees and organizations at that time.
Mr. Folda was a member of the Z. C. B. J., Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen of the World, Royal Neighbors of America, Knights of Pythias and C. S. D. P. J. lodges. For thirteen years he was supreme treasurer of the Z. C. B. J. lodge.
Mr. Folda and Miss Tony Sadilek of Wilbur were united in marriage, Sept. 13, 1905
The widow, two daughters, Mrs. J. A. Kucera of Clarkson and Mrs. Orin Stepanek of Lincoln survive.
Funeral services were held at the Bohemian national hall in Clarkson, Saturday afternoon, at 1:30. Charles Smrha of Omaha delivered addresses in Bohemian and English. The attendance was very large.
Burial was made in the cemetery at Heun where rest the remains of the parents.
