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- Immigrant Home
Sleger House History
Josef and Helena Sleger immigrated to Cedar Rapids from Dolnum Ujezd, Bohemia in 1889 or 1890. They raised their family in a two-room home. Josef worked as a carpenter most of his life, working independently or for others including Cedar Rapids Sash and Door Co. and John Klepac Co . They were active in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and Helena was a member of the Rosary Society and Christian Mothers of St. Wenceslaus. Both are buried in St. John’s Cemetery.
The couple had three children. Josef Jr. was born in Dolnum Ujezd and immigrated to the US with his parents. As an adult, Josef Jr. worked for the Sinclair & Co. meat packing plant for about a year before the Chicago, Rock Island, & Pacific Railroad hired him. He later held positions for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad and the Chicago and Northwestern. He married Rosa Barta sometime before 1918. No children have been identified. The two are buried at St. John’s Cemetery.
Frank Sleger was the first American-born member of the family. As an adult, Frank held several jobs. He is listed in the city directories as having worked for the Sinclair & Co. meat packing plant with his brother in 1906, Cedar Rapids Sash and Door Co. (1907 – 1908), the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (1911 – ca.1915), Cedar Rapids Sash & Door Co. (1918), and Williams & Hunting Co. (1920). In the early 1920s, it is thought that Frank and his family moved to a farm outside of Cedar Rapids.
In 1925, while on the farm, there was a terrible accident. Frank’s wife Anna sustained severe burns when a kerosene lamp exploded or was dropped where she was working. Their 14-year-old son Clarence attempted to extinguish the fire. Unfortunately, both later died as a result of their injuries and are buried at Czech National Cemetery. Frank and Anna’s four-year-old twins Donald and Doris were adopted out, and Frank returned to Cedar Rapids (and this house) with his remaining daughter, Evelyn, 12. The two lived with Frank’s parents and their daughter Anna.
Frank continued to work for several places following the tragedy. His is listed as working at either Cedar Rapids Woodworking or Williams & Hunting from 1924 until he retired in the early 1960s. Frank’s obituary notes that he had also worked for the Cherry Burrell Co.
Evelyn married William Hupp and the couple had one child, Celecia, who married Don Bartling. When Frank was no longer to care for himself, Don and Celecia along with their daughter, Summer, lived in the home from 1981 – 1984. Five generations of the Sleger family lived in this home for nearly 100 years, from ca 1890 – 1984.
In 1984, the museum acquired the home and moved it to its current location on the NCSML campus. It continues to be a favorite exhibition for all those who visit it. Restoring the home to the period of 1880 – 1990 involved over 5, 000 hours of volunteer labor. The restoration involved stripping numerous coats of enamel paint from the wainscoting and removing two floor coverings to get to the original flooring. All of the artifacts in the home are period-appropriate though not from the Sleger family.
Timeline
May 17, 1859: Helena Sleger born in Litomysl, Bohemia
June 13, 1859: Josef Sleger born in Dolnum Ujezd, Bohemia
1875: Property acquired by Joseph Plotz or Platz
1884 – 1888: Sleger House likely built during this period
1888: Frank and Barbara Busek acquire property from Platz
1888: Joseph J. Sleger born to Helena and Josef in Dolnum Ujezd, Bohemia
1889 or 1990: Josef, Helena, and Josef Jr. Sleger immigrate to Cedar Rapids
October 7, 1890: Joseph and Helena Sleger acquire property from Buseks
1889: Sleger House appears on Sanborn Company Map
February 20, 1890: Frank Sleger born in Cedar Rapids
July 9, 1891: Anna Dvorak Sleger, Frank’s wife, born to Wencil and Rose Dvorak
1892: Slegers listed in city directory as living at 1217 1st St. – in this house
1895 – 1913: Kitchen area was expanded, porch was lost. We think Joseph Sleger did the decorative trim and wainscoting at that time.
Date unknown: Anna Sleger born to Josef and Helena
1906: Joseph and Frank work for Sinclair & Co.
1907: Josef and Helena move to 800 South 14th Ave. – later to be Joseph and Rosa’s address
1907 – 1908: Frank works as a glazier at Cedar Rapids Sash & Door Co.
c.1909 or prior: Frank and Anna are married
1910: Clarence is born to Frank and Anna
c.1910 – c.1911: Louis and Anna Rericha live in the Sleger House
1911: Frank and Anna listed as husband and wife in city directory, living at 216 13th Ave.
1913: Evelyn is born to Frank and Anna
1914: Frank and Anna living at 1217 1st St. SE – in this house
1911 – 1915: Frank employed by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
1918: Joseph marries Rosa Bartosh
1918: Frank returns to Cedar Rapids Sash & Door Co.
c.1919: Twins Donald and Doris born to Frank and Anna
1920: Frank employed as a machine operator for Williams & Hunting Co., a planning mill
1920: Frank and Anna move their family to a farm
Jan. 31, 1925: Kerosene lamp explodes, Anna and Clarence severely burned
Feb. 2, 1925: Anna Sleger dies, buried at Bohemian National Cemetery
Feb. 12, 1925: Clarence Sleger dies, buried at Bohemian National Cemetery
1925: Donald and Doris were adopted
1925: Frank and Evelyn move back to 1217 1st St.
1925: Frank and Evelyn live with Josef and Helena and Frank’s sister Anna
1924 – 1933: Frank is a machine hand at Cedar Rapids Woodworking
Late-1930s: Frank is a machine operator at Williams & Hunting Co.
Date unknown: Evelyn marries William Hupp
1939 – 1941: Frank employed at Cedar Rapids Woodworking
1942 – early-1960s: Frank returns to Williams & Hunting Co.
Date unknown: Celecia born to Evelyn and William
1966: Rosa Sleger dies
1980: Celecia marries Don Bartling
1980: Joseph Sleger dies; buried at St. John’s Cemetery
Date unknown: Summer born to Celecia and Don
1981: Frank moved to Fourth Avenue Cedar Rapids Care Facility
1981 – 1984: Celecia and her family live at 1217 1st St.
May 5, 1984: Frank Sleger dies
1984: Sleger House moved to current location