The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-09-19
Obituary of Stephen Radnich.

Stephen Radnich was born July
"a, 1928 at Egra, county of Toker,
Hungary, Europe. Died at his home
near Davis City, Decatur county,
Iowa, September 10, 1912 aged "a
years, 1 month and 10 days.
He was one of those noble grand
men, who in Hungary fought under
Louis Kossuth as dictator for a new
government for the freedom of Hun
gary from the despotic rule OF
Austria.
Mr.. Radnich was in the cavalry
under General BEN, was noble
and active soldier and fought and
struggled hard for the independence
mander of the Hungarian armies,
Georgia, was traitor and surrend-
cred and delivered the armies over
to the Russians who. came to the
aid of the Austrians.
Mr.. Radnich was among the num-
Der who were made prisoners. After
many difficult efforts he finally
made his escape and on Nov. Is,
1849 left his dear native land for
which he so earnestly fought to
gain it's freedom, seeking a new and
happy country to be free from the
yoke of oppression, the United States
of America, where he knew he
would find home in land of free
dom. For II days he was on the
Atlantic ocean sailing in sailing
vessel, there being no such large
steamships as now sailing on the
ocean.
He arrived at New York City on
March 5, 1850.
Mr.. Radnich did not then under
stand the English language, he
worked as a carpenter in New York
City, then at New Orleans for four
years.
After the Loss of the Hungarian
cause quite a number of the Hun
garians came to the United States,
Governor Uhazy of the fortress
Komorm came to Decatur county,
Iowa, and located on a farm north
east Of Davis City now known as
the Mitchell farm. Quite a number
of other Hungarians followed and
established a new village two and
one-half miles south of Davis City,
and named it New Buda.
Mr.. Radnich not being familiar
with the English language naturally
desired to be near some of his
countrymen, so on November s.,
1856 he moved to Decatur county,
Iowa, and for short time worked
as carpenter with Peter Jensen, a
gentleman from Denmark, at Gar
den Grove, then he moved to the
village of New Buda where he resid-
ed among his countrymen until he
purchased his present farm, adjoin-
ing Davis City, Iowa, which was his
ideal place for a home, the land ly-
ing similar to that OF the Capitol
Buda Pest, Buda a beautiful city
lying on the left bank Of the Danube
river and Pest on the opposite side
of the river. The Kings palace and
all the beautiful residences are on
the Buda SIDE Often while walking
along the driveway with friends he
would point to the valley on the
right and say this reminds me OF
Pest and this on my left is Buda,
the "Visegrad," and the Grand River
represents the Blue Danube" Mr..
Radnich spent many happy years on
this farm, he kept the bluffs and
timber as near as nature made it,
allowing no trees to be cut and
cheerfully permitted people to use it
| as a park and camping grounds,
only asking that they destroy
nothing.
During the civil war in the United
States, Mr.. Radnich enlisted as a
home guard, protecting the homes
from the gorillas and outlaws that
infected the border line. He was a
| very enthusiastic soldier and was
| never lacking spirit, patriotism
and loyalty in a good cause.
AS a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic he no doubt was
the oldest member of any post in
| the country.
He was progressive citizen al
| ways promoting the advancement
| of education in which he always
| took an active part. He was a mem
| Der of the Davis City School Board
for over thirty years always attend
ing the school meetings, visiting the
schools and doing everything that
was within his power for promotion
of education.
Politically he was radical re.
| publican, dl " dyS ldhluS du dCllN
part in the selection of the candi-
dates for the various Offices and in
| their selection.
In May 1896 he visited his two
brothers and relatives in Hungary
with his son Paul and daughter
Helen, both brothers have since
deceased, he being the last one OF
his family, he also is the last one OF
the Magyar patriots Of the New
Buda settlement.
He leaves wife, Dallas Radnich
and eight living children: John
Radnich, Helen Tyra, Stephen Rad.
mich, Emric Radnich, Paul Radnich
Sadie Gillette, Nellie Radnich, who
will miss kind husband and dear
father.
| His loss will be mourned by all
who knew him and those who knew
him best loved him best.
Honor to his memory and immor.
tai happiness to his spirit.
A large crowd attended the fun.
eral services at the M. E. church
at 2:3O p. m, on Monday conducted
| hn ~