World War I
The name Cizek was a well-known one in the early days of Osmond, as the Cizek family was one of the pioneers of this community. Until the fire at Tiger Town Grocery Store a few years ago, the Cizek building was one of the oldest brick buildings on State Street.
Edward was born in Osmond in 1892, the son of Vaclav and Anna Cizek. He was one of seven children, all of whom were involved in Osmond busi - nesses in some way. Edward graduated from Osmond High School in 1910, then attended Northwestern University in Chicago, graduating from the school of phar- macy in 1913. In the Northwestern yearbook, it stated that his motto was "Results come from work, not wind." He also studied violin at Bush Temple Conservatory of Music. He obviously was a very bright and talented man!
There was no information in his family history in the centennial book
about the family orchestra, but in his
brother, Joe's, family history, it states he (Joe) was a member of the Cizek family orchestra and the leader of a once-renowned Osmond municipal band. Edward would surely have been a member of the orchestra and the
band as well.
Edward would have played the violin in the orchestra, which is mentioned often in the early Osmond Republican newspapers. He gave of his talent to various social and church functions for many years.
His obituary states that Edward served for more than a year in the medical division of the United States Army in World War I. The application for a head - stone states that he enlisted May 28, 1918, and was discharged Jan. 31, 1919.
On that application, his service information is confusing, because it says he was in the 55th Division, but that is crossed off and 19th Division is written down, so nothing definite can be reported other than the fact that he was in a medical division.
Edward married Fern Buchanan, also of Osmond, on June 5, 1921, and the couple had one son, Edward James Jr.
He was associated with his brothers Joe and James in the banking business in Osmond for many years, in Security State Bank. In 1933, he became associated with the Federal Land Bank, and moved to Norfolk with his family in 1939.
In 1940, Edward's health began to fail and he resigned his position with the Federal Land Bank. But after about a year and a half, he accepted a position with the Union Central Life Insurance Company as district farm manager. He then moved to Hastings in 1942.
Even though he had moved away, Edward lived in Osmond for a total of 45 years and always considered it his home.
Edward was a member of the First Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Elks Lodge, and the American Legion.
Edward died suddenly at his home in Hastings on May 28, 1948, due to heart disease which he had suffered for several years. He was 55 years old.
Short services were first held at the Brand Funeral Home at Hastings, and then services were held at the Methodist church in Osmond. The large at - tendance at the funeral testified to the high regard in which Mr. Cizek was held by friends and former neighbors.
The Masonic Lodge was present in a body, and graveside services were in charge of the Masons. American Legion members were also present in a body at the church and interment services, and "Taps" were sounded. Busi - ness houses were closed during the funeral service.
Edward and his wife, Fern, are buried in the Osmond city cemetery, as are many other members of the Cizek family.
