Vincent Kaberna, a prominent figure in farming and stock-raising, has left a lasting impact in Wagner, Charles Mix County. Born in Bohemia, Austria, in 1849, he immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1856. After years of honing his skills as a tinner in Chicago, he settled in Tyndall, South Dakota, in 1883. Kaberna served as mayor, county treasurer, and held other positions of public trust. In 1895, he relocated to Charles Mix County, where he established a successful ranch and engaged in livestock trading. Highly regarded for his business acumen and community involvement, Kaberna’s story is one of personal achievement and dedication.
Vincent Kaberna, who is now living practically retired from active business in the village of Wagner, Charles Mix County, has been prominently identified with farming and stock-raising in this locality and is the owner of a fine ranch. He is also a stockholder in the Commercial State Bank of Wagner and has other interests in the town. Mr. Kaberna is a native of Bohemia, Austria, where he was born on the 19th of December 1849. He is the son of Francis and Frances (Popelka) Kaberna, who were born and raised there. They resided in Bohemia until 1856 when they emigrated to America and first settled in the city of Philadelphia. One year later, they moved to Chicago, Illinois, where they remained until their deaths. The father passed away on December 29, 1875, and the mother on May 18, 1885.
The subject came to the territory of Dakota and settled in Tyndall, Bon Homme County, in November 1883. He received his early education in the public schools of Chicago and learned the tinner’s trade under the guidance of his father. He worked in the shops of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad in Chicago for nearly twenty years. In 1883, he left his work in the shops and came to what is now the state of South Dakota, where he settled in Tyndall. For the following twelve years, he engaged in the hardware and tinning business. During this time, he gained a reputation as an able and honorable businessman and a respected citizen. He held various offices of public trust and responsibility, serving as a member of the Board of County Commissioners for one term and as a member of the village council. In 1891, he was elected mayor of the town and held the office for three years, providing a satisfactory and competent administration of the municipal government. He later served as the treasurer of Bon Homme County for two years.
In 1895, Mr. Kaberna sold his interests in Tyndall and moved to Charles Mix County. There, he filed a claim for two hundred acres in Rouse Township, and he still retains ownership of the property. He has made significant improvements on the land and has been successful in raising and trading livestock in addition to his diversified agriculture activities. In 1901, he relocated to Wagner, where he has since lived a mostly retired life, although he still maintains a general oversight of his real estate and other interests. He is a stockholder in the Commercial State Bank and holds the position of justice of the peace in Wagner. Mr. Kaberna is public-spirited and always ready to support worthy causes, earning independence and success through his own efforts. He is highly esteemed in the community. In terms of politics, he is a staunch Democrat and has been a Mason for the past twenty-seven years.
Mr. Kaberna has been married twice. In 1871, he married Miss Paulina Pisek, who passed away, leaving one child that died at the age of three. On November 13, 1876, he married Miss Geniveva Papik, a sister of Joseph Papik (mentioned on another page in this work). The couple had four children together, and their record is as follows: Frank, who married Miss Minnie Pisha, is engaged in farming in this county; Bertha is employed in a clerical position at Wheeler in this county; Rose is a bookkeeper in the Commercial State Bank of Wagner, and John is currently living at home.