Jan "John" Jirousek

Notes:

The son of Frank Jirousek and Marie Vitek.

Cleveland 1900 City Directory p. 546

Jirousek, John Foreman 74 Petrie (also living at that address were sons Edward and James)

The following was excerpted from a translation of Jan Jirousek's obituary. It was written by Al. Zak and translated by Betty Stribrny.

Jan Jirousek was a true and generous type of Czech immigrant from Tabor. He was a man of vigorous heart and true and Christian love. He was born in Kvet near Milevska in Czechy, area Tabor...the son of a poor farmer. His father died unexpectedly and his mother, loving her children dearly, never remarried but took care of the farm herself. His schooling was very short as was that of most village boys of that area. He came to this country in 1866, about 19 years old. In fact, he arrived on his namesday, St. Jan Nepomocene, May 16 and on the Fourth of July the same year he played in a holiday parade downtown. In a few years after his arrival in Cleveland, Mr. Jirousek married a very young girl of the family Beznoska. The wedding supper was held at the bride's home on the north side, the now gone Croton Street, near the old Forest Street. The wedding dance was held in one of the first Czech inns....during the festivities...an oil lamp was knocked over...and a conflagaration started. Everyone attempted to save themselves. The men helped the women to escape as did the young groom who saved his young bride. The fire was quickly extinguished and in the middle of the floor where a hold had been burnt through the men placed empty beer barrels and the dance continued....

For many years Mr. Jirousek was employed as a cooper. For 20 years he was an active musician. He was also the superintendant of the coopers at Standard Oil company, where under his guidance worked many Czech musicians and other of his countrymen. After the invention of metal barrels, Mr. Jirousek became a real estate dealer. He was the one that did the most to enable fellow Czechs to purchase homes...For sometime, E. 53 off Fleet Avenue was named for him.

He was a devoted Democrat. For many years he worked as an inspector of bridges for the city, and as foreman for street paving and as an inspector for voitng booths, until the year 1915 when his age demanded a retirement...

He was also a great worker in Catholic circles. Twice he became president of the First Central Czech-Catholic Unit. He was among the first of those who worked towards the building of the little church St. Vaclav, on Arch and Burwell Streets...

In the 1880s he wrote in the St. Louis "Hlasu" and "Volnosti" (Voice and Freedom) small articles of a satyrical nature and later he even wrote stories into the "American." His nom de plume for the St. Louis articles was J. Kvetovsky (his home town).

Several times he opened a business but poor economic and work conditions caused him to fail. Another reason was the fact that he had a symphathetic nature and a big heart for the poor which made it difficult for him to prosper....

At his coffin was his faithful, grieving wife of 60 years, who shared the ups and downs of life with him and raised 15 children and lost three sons prior to his own death. Their last eldest son, William, is now traveling in Europe visiting this parent's homeland. It will be a terrible blow to him when he returns to find his beloved father gone.

(Courtesty of Caroline Mastny, Schuyler, Nebraska)

Kay Rybak noted his Ohio death certificate was #69505; and showed him as 82 years, 3 months, 2 days of age, and married to Theresa. They had resided on 12922 Marston at the time of his death, and his widow, Theresa, was the informant.



(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio
Source:FHL Film 1255008 National Archives Film T9-1008 Page 47A
From the Familysearch 1880 United States Census and National Index
RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
John JIROUSEK Self M M W 33 BOHEMIA Occ:Retail Grocer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Theresa JIROUSEK Wife F M W 27 BOHEMIA Occ:Keeps House Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
John JIROUSEK Son M S W 10 OH Occ:At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Frank JIROUSEK Son M S W 9 OH Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Charles JIROUSEK Son M S W 7 OH Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Edward JIROUSEKSon M S W 5 OH Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Bedrich JIROUSEKSon M S W 4 OH Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Vaclav JIROUSEKSon M S W 2 OH Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
William JIROUSEK Son M S W 10 M OH Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA

1900 Census
Cleveland, District 120, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Jirousek, John Head W M Aug 1847 52 M 31 Bohemia emi 1867 NA Foreman
Jirousek, Theresa Wife W F May 1853 47 M 31 15/14 Bohemia 1865
Jirousek, William Son W M Jul 1879 20 S Ohio Lanotype operator
Jirousek, Mary Dtr W F Apr 1881 19 S Ohio Tailoress
Jirousek, Joseph Son W M Mar 1883 17 S Ohio Priso Fuder
Jirousek, Ciril Son W M Apr 1885 15 S Ohio Tailor
Jirousek, Stanley Son W M Mar 1887 13 S Ohio At School
Jirousek, Louise Dtr W F Mar 1889 11 S Ohio At School
Jirousek, Amelia Dtr W F Jul 1891 8 S Ohio At School
Jirousek, Emil Son W M Aug 1893 6 S Ohio At School
Jirousek, Rose Dtr W F May 1896 4 S

1910 Census
Cleveland, Ward 16, ED 246, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
John Jirousek Head M W 62 M1 41 Austria-Bohemia
Theresa " Wife F W 56 M1 41Austria-Bohemia Mother 15/14 living
Stanley " Son M W 23 Born Ohio Tinner Paint Shop
Louisa " Dtr F W 21 Born Ohio Taileress Ladies Garments
Amalia " Dtr F W 18 Born Ohio Sales Lady Dept Store
Emil " Son M W 16 Born Ohio Machinist Machine Shop
Rosie " Dtr F W 13 Born Ohio

1920 Census
Cleveland W 13, ED 265, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Jirousek, John Hd M W 72 M 1867 Na 1874 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia
Jirousek, Theresa Wf F w 67 M 1865 Na Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia
Jirousek, Louise Dtr F W 30 D Ohio Bohemia Bohemia Forelady Clothing Factory

Kay Rybak notes that in 1930, the widowed Theresa, age 76, was still in Cleveland, on 12910 Marston.

Jan married Terezie "Theresia" Beznoska on 4 Apr 1869 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Terezie (daughter of Frantisek "Frank" Beznoska and Anna Krylova) was born on 14 May 1853 in Beroun, Stredocesk? kraj, Bohemia; died on 22 Apr 1932 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried on 25 Apr 1932 in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John S. Jirousek was born after 1869 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 18 Nov 1961 in Ohio; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Westlake, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
2. Frank Stefan Jirousek was born on 21 Mar 1871 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 1 Aug 1921 in Cleveland City Cemetery, Cleveland, Liberty County, Texas; was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
3. Charles Jirousek was born about 1873 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 4 Feb 1957 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Harvard Grove Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
4. Edward L. Jirousek was born about 1875 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 11 May 1900 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
5. Frederick S. Jirousek was born in Mar 1877 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 13 Jan 1929 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
6. James Stephan Jirousek was born about 1878 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died in Jan 1942 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
7. William E. Jirousek was born on 23 Jul 1879 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 13 Apr 1969 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
8. Female Jirousek was born on 23 Jul 1879 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; and died.
9. Mary Jirousek was born on 5 Apr 1881 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 11 Jun 1972 in Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee; was buried in Highland Park Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
10. Joseph Franklin Jirousek was born on 20 Mar 1883 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 20 Nov 1951 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
11. Cyril M. Jirousek was born on 19 Apr 1885 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died in Apr 1949 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
12. Stanley William Jirousek was born on 13 Mar 1887 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died in Dec 1963 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
13. Louise Blanche Jirousek was born on 7 Mar 1889 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 6 Jun 1968 in Shaker Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
14. Amelia Jirousek was born on 8 Jul 1892 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 4 Sep 1985.
15. Emil L. Jirousek was born on 23 Aug 1893 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died in Dec 1971 in Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
16. Rose A. Jirousek was born on 25 May 1896 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; died on 19 Dec 1950 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.