Born February 8, 1879 in Czechoslovakia, John A. Vandrovec was the son of Frank and Petronella Kalina Vandrovec.
John Vandrovec came to Valley City on May 21, 1886. Liking it here, he sent for his wife and three children; nine year old Anton, seven year old John and Baby Frank. They arrived October 16, 1886.
A homestead was acquired in Section 14, Stewart Township, and a shanty was purchased and moved, and in the Spring of 1887, the family began farming. A sister, Mamie, was born in 1887, and a brother, Joe, in 1889.
In 1902 a new house was built with the help of Anton, a brother.
John Jr. attended school in Stewart School # 7, and developed a love for history and politics. He purchased a violin from a destitute carnival drummer, who taught him the bare basics of the instrument. John learned to play very well and spent many happy hours with his father, who played the accordion. John also was an avid amateur photographer, and wrote several feature stories for the Capper Farmer magazine in 1938 and 1946.
John, Jr. married Mary Josephine Dospel on January 31, 1911, also born in Czechoslovakia on May 29, 1883. She came to America in 1909.
A new house was built on the west½ of Section 15, Stewart Township. Thirty-four years and four children later, they retired to Valley City. John died February 9, 1966, and Mary, May 19, 1971. Their children are: Helen Petronella (Mrs. P. R. Potter, of San Bernardino, California), Cecelia (Mrs. Donald D. Campbell, Marshfield Township), Jeffrey (Valley City), married to Agnes Boland, and John H. married to Eileen Goeller and farming in Stewart Township.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 257