| Abstract: |
Frank J. Vlcek was a Czech immigrant who came to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1888. He founded the Vlchek Tool Company, one of the
largest drop forged tool manufacturing companies, with 69 branches in various cities, and the Vlchek Plastics Company which
produces molded plastic articles. The collection consists of the published reminiscences of Vlcek's life, written in Czech,
and the English translation by Fern Long; also, commemorative scrapbooks of Vlcek's accomplishments and the 50th anniversary
of the Vlchek Tool Company, and clippings. The collection pertains to Vlcek's life in Europe, as an immigrant in Cleveland,
and his rise as an industrialist through the growth of his tool company. His autobiography is a rich source of immigrant history.
It chronicles his childhood, with details of everyday life in his village, tells of his courtship and marriage, travels through
Europe seeking work as a smithy, his decision to immigrate and the trip to America. He also details his impressions of Cleveland
and experiences as a new immigrant to the city.
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