# The Howells Journal/Death comes quickly to Emil Folda; last rites are tomorrow

* related portals: Czech lands, Nebraska, Obituaries.
* related authors: Emil Folda.
Published on 1 November 1935
DEATH COMES QUICKLY TO EMIL FOLDA; LAST RITES ARE TOMORROW
The Journal family was deeply shocked to receive the message on Wednesday evening of the death of Emil Folda, one of the most prominent and well-known men of northern Colfax county.
The summons came suddenly, as he had been at West Point with Mrs. Folda on Tuesday, and had been about as usual at his home all day Wednesday. In the early evening he decided to go down town for the daily paper. He evidently decided to drive down, as Mrs. Folda, having occasion to step into her kitchen, saw a light in the garage. She stepped out to investigate and found Mr. Folda in the car stricken with severe pain and hurriedly summoned a physician. He expired as they carried him into the house after the arrival of the doctor.
Emil Folda was born at Manitowac, Wis., May 16, 1866, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Folda, natives of Bohemia, who came as pioneers to Colfax county in 1869. They settled on a farm in Midland precinct, on a part of which Holy Trinity church was later erected, and Emil was one of a fine family of children—Lambert, Adolph, Longin, Emil, Rainold, Jaroslav, Mary, now Mrs. Vaclav Jonas of Schuyler, John M., Frances, wife of Fred Jelinek of Norfolk, and Miss Bertha Folda, the older children having shared in the hard times and the good times that fell to the lot of the early residents. All but the last five named have passed on to join the silent majority.
After Emil had acquired the education afforded by the rural school in his home district, he felt the urge of independence and got a job as clerk in Frank Folda’s general store at Schuyler. Mr. Folda was his uncle and was one of the influential demo​crats of his day, recognized as such in the county and state. All his life Emil ever remained true to the political faith of the original Foldas, and was active in democratic circles in county and state, but never consented to accept a nomination for any important office, preferring to remain a worker on the side lines. At the time of his death he was a member, as treasurer, of the democratic county central committee, in which capacity he had served for years. He is remembered by his friends as a conscientious man, ever true to his word for with him a promise made was a promise kept.
Mr. Folda entered the banking business in 1889 at Linwood, and shortly thereafter was made assistant cashier of the First National bank of David City. While there he was married to Miss Emily Peschek who died April 20, 1904. In 1893 he returned to Linwood as cashier of the bank there, and in 1911 he accepted the presidency of the Clarkson State bank and took up his residence in that little city. At Linwood he served as a member of the board of trustees and chairman of the board of education. In the years since, he was president of the Clarkson Commercial club, and was a member of the Nebraska Bank Guarantee Fund commission, 1923–26. He was also on the membership rolls of the Nebraska State Historical society, Nebraska Territorial Pioneer association, Czech Nebraska Historical association and the Nebraskana society. At the time of his death he was president of Colfax County Old Settlers’ association.
Mr. Folda was the father of one of the heroes of the World war, his son, Albin, as corporal of Co. M., 355th infantry, 89th division, participated in the battle of St. Mihiel on September 12, 1918, and was killed near Romagne, and it was the privilege of Mr. and Mrs. Folda to twice visit his grave overseas since the shadow fell over their home. At the time he left, Albin was assistant cashier of the Clarkson State bank. During the war period Mr. Folda was most generous with his time and active in war relief work, was chairman of the Red Cross and the Council of Defense, as well as of the Four-Minute Men, and served as a member of almost every local committee named in the various war activities.
Fraternally Mr. Folda affiliated with the Z. C. B. J., of which he was supreme treasurer for 13 years, the Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen of the World, Royal Neighbors of America, Knights of Pythias, and C. S. D. P. J.
On September 13, 1905, Mr. Folda was united in marriage with Miss Tony Sadilek of Wilber, who, with two daughters survive him—Laura, wife of Jos. A. Kucera of Clarkson, and Olga, married to Prof. Orin Stepanek of the University of Nebraska. To these goes out in unstinted measure the heartfelt sympathy of their many friends.
Arrangements have not been completed for the funeral, which will be held Saturday afternoon, with services at the family home at Clarkson at 1:00 o’clock.
Tomorrow afternoon the usual activities of our neighboring little city will be silenced in formal tribute to one who for many years was numbered among their patriotic, public-spirited citizens. Appraised by true standards of worth he ranks high as an honorable, honest man whose life work was one of advancement of the county, the state and the community in which he lived. The son of pioneers, his life added to history—for all history is largely a chronicle of the affairs and achievements of men. Our friend’s career speaks for itself and unfolds a story of the hardships of the early days. With the energy and determination, which characterized him, he builded his life and the tools that he used were of his own making. A man of courage and ability he conscientiously assumed, with ceaseless industry, any task given him, having rendered splendid work in every task assigned to him. It was our pleasure to have personally known him since the years of his early manhood and we knew him as a man who appreciated his friends, was uncompromising in his devotion to what he thought was right, and was never too busy to lend not only his financial aid but his personal effort in behalf of any activity that he believed would contribute to the betterment of the community in which he lived.
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