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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     FRANK PANEK is a prosperous and progressive farmer living about three miles west from Edwall.  He was born in Bohemia in August, 1863, the son of John and Frances (Trogan) Panek, natives of Bohemia.  The father was a brick layer.  In 1878, he came with his family to Colfax county, Nebraska, where he and his wife live at the present time.  They were the parents of six children, our subject being the second.  Frank received his education in the old country and was fourteen when his father came to Colfax county.  He worked on the farm in Nebraska until September, 1883 in which year he came to Sprague.  He soon went to work on the Northern Pacific railroad and for nine years was in the employ of that company.  He first held the position of fireman and later was locomotive engineer.  After leaving that company, he handled an engine for the roller mills in Sprague until he went to work for the Great Northern railroad as engineer.  After that he went to Nebraska and spent three years with his parents.  Next we see him in Fremont county, Idaho, handling an irrigated farm, which occupied him until 1901.  Finally he selected the place where he now resides, having previously, in 1883, bought one half section of railroad land.
     On November 7, 1897, Mr. Panek married Mary Ledvina, a native of Greenbay, Wisconsin.  Her parents, Joseph A. and Antoine M. (Wesley) Ledvina, are now living in Nebraska.  They were the parents of six children.  Mrs. Panek has one child by her  former marriage, Lucy.  To Mr. and Mrs. Panek three children have been born, Victor O., Raymond V. and Olga A.  The last two mentioned are deceased.  Mr. Panek is a member of the Odd Fellows, the M. W. A. and the Locomotive Brotherhood.  He is very much impressed with the resources and riches of the Big Bend country and feels well satisfied that he is dwelling in one of the richest sections of the United States.
 


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