"Fairview Township", History of Jones County, Iowa, (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879), p. 561, submitted by Mary Kay Kuhfittig.

John Holub received his education in the schools of Wyoming township and obtained a practical knowledge of farming under his father's direction for he early assisted in the work that was carried on at home, thereby learning lessons of industry that served him well when he engaged in business for himself. He remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when he married and established a home of his own. For three years he operated rented land and then purchased the place on which he is living today. It embraces one hundred and forty acres, lying on section 31, Wyoming township, on which Mr. Holub follows diversified farming, although he gives particular attention to the raising and feeding of cattle for market. Industrious and possessing the ability to make the most of the opportunities which lie at his hand, he has won from his operations a success that is very gratifying and one which has obtained for him the confidence of his fellow agriculturists and stockmen.

It was in 1882 that Mr. Holub was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Levisen, who was born in Germany but came to America with her parents when she was but seven years of age. Five children have been born of this union: Anna K. and Elmer, deceased; Edward F. and Elsie L., who are graduates of the Wyoming high school and live at home; and Grover C., who is a pupil in the high school.

Mrs. Holub was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Holub was instructed in the tenets of the Catholic creed. Politically he has been a steadfast adherent of the Democratic Party. While he has never aspired to any public office, for a period of eighteen years, he rendered valuable service to the citizens of the township in the capacity of school director, for his influence was ever given to measures which had as their aim the improvement of the educational advantages. He is one of the active members of Wyoming Lodge, No. 183, M.W.A., at whose meetings he is in regular attendance.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 625.

Joseph Holub was but two years of age when he came to this country and he derived his education from the public schools of this state, while working with his father on the farm. He remained with his parents until he was thirty-three years of age, when he married and bought the old homestead. This he has improved greatly since it came into his possession, until it is now commonly regarded as one of the finest pieces of property in the township, in its well tilled fields and in the excellent condition of its buildings indicating the skill and thrift of the man who owns the place. In addition to his purely agricultural pursuits Mr. Holub has engaged extensively in the raising and feeding of stock, shipping cattle and hogs to the important markets. In this branch of his business he has attained to a success commensurate with that he reaps from his farm land.

Mr. Holub has been twice married. The bride of his first union was Miss Mary Marek, who was born in Austria and was a daughter of John and Barbara Marek. Her parents came to the United States, when Mrs. Holub was a small child and are still living in Oxford junction. One of a family of four children, through her marriage Mrs. Holub became the mother of three: Mary A., who is at home; John E., who is a graduate of the Wyoming high school and is now living at home; and Anna A., who has died. Mrs. Holub died February 24, 1892, leaving a husband and all her children to mourn her loss, and was laid to rest in the Oxford cemetery. When he married again, Mr. Holub's second wife was Miss Anna Marek, a sister of his former wife, who was born in Oxford Junction. One son, Martin L., has been born of this union. Mr. Holub and his wife are members of the Catholic church, while politically he places his reliance in the principles of the democratic party. Aside from having filled the office of road supervisor, however, he has taken no part in local affairs, although he is ever interested in the welfare of his fellow citizens, Fraternally he enjoys pleasant relations with Wyoming Lodge, NO. 183, M.W.A. and also with the Owls at Oxford Junction. In the meetings of these societies he has proved himself a valued member, for he is a man who has the power to make firm friends and the abilities which secured him his success have not been wholly employed in a selfish manner.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 623.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 602.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 699.

John Hosch, who came to America in 1868, spent his first three months on American soil in St. Charles, Minnesota. and then proceeded to Jones county, Iowa, where he located. He was a stonemason by trade and after two diligent and thrifty years he branched out as a property owner, buying two hundred and seven acres of his present home farm. The fear 1881 was marked by the erection of a most comfortable and substantial stone house, where he is still residing.

In 1871, Miss Catherine Bisenius became the bride of Mr. Hosch. Although at that time a resident of Dubuque county, Iowa, she is a native of Prussia, Germany, having come to the United States in 1853 at the early age of two years. Her parents were among the earlier settlers of Dubuque county. Mr. And Mrs. Hosch have to their credit, that increasing rarity, a fine, large family, numbering twelve: Matthias, who lives in Cedar county, Nebraska, Mary, the wife of Peter Kurt, whose home is in Dubuque county; William, also a resident of Dubuque county; Margaret, the wife of Nicholas Knapper, of Dubuque county; Michael, who has settled in Pierce county, Nebraska; Anna, who married Jacob Brightbaugh and is living in Chicago, Illinois: and Nicholas, John, Peter, Susan, Lena and Catherine- all six living at home and adding greatly to its cheer and attractiveness by their presence.

Mr. Hosch has achieved success in his special line of agricultural endeavor, which is the raising and feeding of cattle. He belongs to the democratic party but is content with the exercise of the right of franchise, never having sought the honors and emoluments of office. He and his family are members of the Catholic church. The case of Mr. Hosch is especially gratifying as it exemplifies the possibility of rising from the most lowly circumstances to prosperous and influential citizenship. When he arrived in Minnesota, he had but one dollar and twenty-five cents in his pocket, and one dollar of that amount he was forced to expend for his first night's accommodation, thus leaving him with a capital of twenty-five cents. Today he owns six hundred and twenty-seven acres of land and is undoubtedly one of the very substantial citizens of Jones county. Among his holdings are a half section of land in Cedar county, Nebraska, and a section of land in Meyer county, that state, owning in all one thousand, five hundred and eighty-seven acres.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 297.