FAMILY STORIES

Mary Bumgardner Reisdorph and son Harold

   Harold worked on the family farm and at Johnson Grain El. Francis divorced Etta Day soon after returning from the service. He married Ruth King of Fallitt, Texas, while in college. They had 2 children: W.E. and Marcena. W.E. married Earlene and they have 2 adopted children. W.E. and Earlene are in the teaching profession. W.E. is superintendent at Hartley, Texas. A son lives in Florida. Their daughter attends school in Amarillo, Texas.

   Marcena married Mr. Springer and they operate a resort at Buena Vista, Colo. They have 3 children.

   Francis was killed in a car accident while teaching at Langview, Texas. Harold raised wheat and cattle. He married Frances Sumpter. They had 2 children, Gleola and Kenneth. They have 2 children. They are employed by Bell Telephone Co. Harold died April 10, 1974 at Mooreland, Okla.

   Addie married Llewellyn Orcutt Ward II April 28, 1927 at Taloga, Okla. He was employed by an oil-drilling company and was in the oil-drilling business all of his life. He died April 9, 1973 at Enid, Okla. Addie taught school 25 years. They had 2 children, Llewellyn Orcutt III and Mary Margaret.

   Lew is in the oil business in Norman, Okla., both producing and drilling. He is very active in civic and political affairs. He is the President of the Chamber of Commerce and National Committeeman for the Republican Party. He is a graduate of Okla. Univ. His wife, Myra Gungoll (NE) is also a graduate of O.U. They have 2 children, Cassidy Ann, a petroleum English student at O.U. and Wm. Carlton, a student at the School of Engineering at Golden, Colo.

   Mary Margaret married an attorney, Inby Taylor. Both are O.U. graduates. Mary Margaret is a housewife caring for 2 adopted children, Bob, 14, and Mary Beth, 11. They live at 1308 Cherry Laurel, Norman, Okla. Submitted by Addie Ward

   My great-grandfather, John B. Rerucha, and his wife, born Clara Ohnoutka, living in the village of Valec, Moravia, County Hrotovice, Kraj Fenojin, near Trebice, decided to move their family to America in the early part of the year, 1872. Two months before their planned departure, the father of the family became ill and passed away. This loss did not alter the mother's plans.

   On May 29, 1872, she started the journey to America with seven children: John, Martin, Matthew, Joseph, Thomas (my grandfather), Mary and Caroline. They went by railroad train two days and two nights to the port city of Bremen, Germany. There they waited four days for the boat, "S.S. Ohio," on which they sailed. After 19 days, they arrived at the American port city of Baltimore on June 24, 1872. The same day they left by train for the state of Nebraska, arriving in Omaha on June 27, 1872, staying overnight. The next day they went to Fremont and, with the help of former Czech citizens, they found and hired drivers to take them to the Czech settlement on Wahoo Creek in Saunders County where they settled a mile south of where Prague is now located.

   In this area, the Czech people had been settling for about four years and the area was about half settled. There were railroad and government lands available. From government lands, land was apportioned free at 80 acres to each settler and a fee of $18 was charged. From this widow's family, she and her sons, Matthew, John and Martin, qualified for homesteads and they were able to obtain homesteads next to each other. Sons, Joseph and Thomas, were too young to qualify. Joseph farmed with his mother, and when Thomas started his own home, a farm of 40 acres was bought for him. The sons soon added 40 acres to their farms by buying additional land from the railroads. One daughter, Marie, married John Kaspar and lived a mile from one of her brothers. Another daughter, Caroline, worked in Omaha and there married Joseph Langer, a tailor.

   Thus, a widow mother provided for her large family in the New World, but she did not enjoy her family very long. She was born in Moravia on Aug. 7, 1825, came to America in 1872, and died Oct. 14, 1881, only nine years after arriving in America. She is resting in SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Cemetery at Plasi Parish near Prague, among the first parishioners laid to rest in that cemetery. This grave has a modern tombstone which replaced the original wooden cross that deteriorated on her grave. Submitted by Mary Ann (Rerucha) Ostry

   My grandfather, Thomas Rerucha Sr., son of John B. and Clara (Ohnoutka) Rerucha, was born Dec. 29, 1863, in the village of Valec, Moravia, County Hrotovice, Kraj Fenojin, near Trebice. He came to America in 1872, at the age of eight, settling near Prague, Nebraska in Saunders County where he grew to manhood.

Thomas Rerucha Sr. Family. Back Row, L. to R.: Henry Rerucha, Alois Rerucha, Mary Rerucha, John Rerucha, Joseph Rerucha, and Thomas Rerucha, Jr; Front Row, L. to R.: Hermina (Rerucha) Fiala, Thomas Rerucha, Sr., Pauline (Schultz) Rerucha, and Christie Rerucha.

   On Febr. 11, 1886, he married Pauline Schultz, daughter of Josef and Marie (Buchar) Schultz, at Plasi. Grandmother Pauline, born June 29, 1864 in Bohemia, came to America in 1877 with her parents and worked in Omaha for the Brandeis family, forerunners of the present operators of the Brandeis Store. Her pay was $1.25 a week. When she returned home with $50 earned in this way, she gave the money to her father, who gave it back to her to buy a wedding dress.

   Following their marriage, the Reruchas farmed near Prague until 1891, when they sold that farm and moved to a 160-acre farm 3½ miles south of Bruno, Nebr.

   Their new home was close to the creek on the side of a hill with no steps. Half of the house was built into the ground and when there was a heavy rain, the house was flooded. This house was replaced later with a new house higher on the hill.

   They had eleven children: John and Mary, born in Saunders County, Thomas, Alois, Henry (my father), William, Christie, Hermina (Fiala), Joseph, and a boy and girl who died in infancy, born in Butler County.

   Thomas and Pauline retired from farming in 1934 and moved to Bruno. Thomas died May 15, 1942 and Pauline died Nov. 15, 1955. They are buried in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery near Bruno.

   My father, Henry J. Rerucha, was born Dec. 17, 1896, near Bruno. He attended School Dist. #61 through eighth grade. He enjoyed music and played with the Joe P. Rerucha Brass Band, being one of the original members when it was organized in 1914.

   On June 15, 1926, he married Emma Yindrick, born Nov. 5, 1906, to Fred and Rose (Samek) Yindrick. They moved to 120 acres of land just one-half mile southeast of his parents where they had built a new house and farmstead.

   I, Mary Ann Rerucha, was born Dec. 14, 1938. I also attended School Dist. #61 and then graduated from David City High School. I worked at First National Bank in David City, Nebr. for over 13 years.

   On Oct. 3, 1970, I married Jerome Ostry, of Prague, Nebr. and moved to Saunders County on a farm just one-half mile from where my great-grandmother, Clara (Ohnoutka) Rerucha, and her family homesteaded. Our son, Mark Louis, was born July 30, 1972.

   My mother died Jan. 10, 1972, and my father died Dec. 15, 1975. They are buried in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery near Bruno, Nebr. Submitted by Mary Ann (Rerucha) Ostry

   Albert and Hulda were married in Bulgrin, Pomgerania, Germany in 1881. Their first son was born in Germany, living only a short while. In April of 1882, they immigrated to the United States. They came to Ashland, Nebraska. Albert and Hulda's first 80-acre farm was just north of the German Lutheran Church. They sold and purchased a number of farms.

   The children born in America were ten. Minnie Rexilius Luhnow was born in 1882 on the ocean enroute to the U.S.A. Fred was born in 1884 and died in 1885. Anna Rexilius Schiefelbein was born in 1885. Alma Rexilius Anderson was born in 1886. Frank was born in 1888. John was born in 1890. Harry Rexilius was born in 1891. Ernest was born in 1893. Emil was born in 1894 and Arthur was born in 1898.

   Emil Rexilius was married to Lessie Hageman. They had 5 children: Shirley Bonacci, Omaha, Nebraska; Elgene Griffith, San Diego, California; Juanita Pegler, San Diego; Roger Rexilius, Everett, Washington; and Gary Rexilius, Santee, California.

   I am in contact with a Professor of Engineering in Germany and a doctor and his father. They have documented proof of the Rexilius family tree back to the first (no name) Rexilius dating 1650. By Shirley Bonacci

page 383

   Harry Rexilius, son of Albert and Hulda Rexilius, was born on a farm near Ithaca, Nebraska, on September 13, 1891. He had five brothers and three sisters. Harry attended school at Districts 16 and 50, and also attended business college in Grand Island, Nebr. As a young man, he spent several years in Iowa and Minnesota. Harry owned and operated a grocery store in Ithaca for 12 years.

   On June 1, 1927, Harry married Leora Endres. I was the daughter of William and Julia Endres of Ithaca. I attended grade school in District 30 and high school in Ithaca and Mead.

   Harry and I moved to the farm in 1936. Harry was Saunders County Supervisor from 1965 until his death on November 22, 1968. He had just been re-elected for another term a few weeks before he died.

   I am presently working at Haven House in Wahoo where I have been employed for ten years.

   Harry and I have one daughter, Joyce, born on February 18, 1929. Joyce graduated from Wahoo High School in 1946 and attended Lincoln School of Commerce. She worked for the Wahoo Newspaper for ten years. She married Bernard Lanik of Wahoo on June 8, 1957. Bernard is the son of Mrs. Rose Lanik and the late Frank Lanik of Wahoo. Bernard graduated from Wahoo High in 1949 and served 4 years in the Navy. He was employed at the Wahoo Newspaper for over 20 years, and is now working at Publication Printing in Waterloo, Nebr.

   Bernie and Joyce have three children: Douglas of Waverly, Nebr., Dan, and Jean of Wahoo. All three children graduated from Neumann High School in Wahoo. Doug is a graduate of Midland College in Fremont, Nebr., and is presently teaching and coaching at Waverly. He married Kris Woita of Colon. They have two sons, Aaron, who was born on October 29, 1980, and Joshua, born on October 13, 1982. Dan is employed at the Farmers Union Co-op in Wahoo. Jean is attending college at the College of Saint Mary, majoring in elementary education. Submitted by Leora Rexilius

   I, Darryl Rezac, was born on March 11, 1944. My parents, who lived on a farm west of Cedar Bluffs, were Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Marie Havel Rezac. I attended District 43 school and was a member of the Todd Valley Livestock 4-H Club. I had fun helping Dad, teasing my sisters, climbing trees, and yes, baking cookies -- guess why?

Darryl Rezac

   I entered high school in Wahoo and graduated from there in 1961. After a semester at the Milford Vocational School I thought it best to join the Navy. So on my eighteenth birthday I was in the service of my country. During the next three years, my experiences as a submarine sonar technician were many, interesting, varied, educational and sometimes dangerous. I saw a great deal of the world and how it lives. Upon coming home at the age of 21 it wasn't an easy task to decide what to do in the future. I considered going to college, continuing electronics studies in a vocational school, or staying on the farm. Finally, I took a job with the Automatic Electric Company in Chicago, then Profexray, Inc., which eventually led me to what I like best: selling, installing, repairing X-Ray machines. Extra training came from the company's educational program and from my personal experience. Today, I am the manager of Major Accounts Tech Support for the National Service Operations department of Xonics Medical Systems, and have traveled to many states and foreign places to solve x-ray difficulties. I love my work, but often think of the farm at Cedar Bluffs.

   On January 2, 1982, I married Joyce Motley, born in Newburn, Tennessee. We live a few miles from Genoa, Illinois on a small acreage where we can raise some livestock and poultry. It is almost like living on a farm. Our dream is to build a log house somewhere in a quiet, wooded area. Fishing, Hunting and Traveling are our hobbies.

   I have two children by a previous marriage, Lisa, born August 15, 1970 and Chad, born October 7, 1972. Of course, they help fill our leisure hours with great joy, especially on camping and fishing outings. Watching them grow, physically and mentally, gives us a feeling of satisfaction. Submitted by Darryl Rezac

   Both sets of my grandparents came to the United States from Moravia in the 1870's. My paternal grandparents, Frank and Mary Dvorak Buresh, settled on a farm three miles east of Brainard, Nebraska in the spring of 1877 in a dugout. Their son, Andrew, was born in August, 1883 in a mudhouse. My maternal grandparents, Andrew and Cecilia Schmid Tejral, were married at Abie, Nebraska in September, 1878, and settled on a farm five miles east of Brainard, where their daughter, Cecilia, was born.

Eddie, Emma, Emil and Virginia Rezac

   Andrew Buresh and Cecilia Tejral were married February, 1906 at Wahoo, and became my parents. I was born in December, 1907 in the same mudhouse my dad was born in. My brother, George, was also born in this same house in 1909. Leonard was born in the new house in 1918 on the same farm. We moved to Brainard in 1919 and all three of us graduated from the old Brainard High School.

   George got married in 1936. They lived in Omaha for many years. Their children are Jerry and Yvonne, both married. There are eight grandchildren.

   I married Emil Rezac of Weston in 1938. He was born south of Weston in June, 1905. His parents were Anton and Frances Ohnoutka Machacek Rezac who also were born in Moravia. They were married in Wahoo in 1899.

   Our two children, Eddie, born in 1939, and Virginia, in 1946, both graduated from Weston High School. Eddie married Judith Millie of Fremont in July, 1963 and they live in Wahoo. Their children are Tim, a freshman at Neumann High School, Todd in eighth grade, and Kerrie and Mandy at home. Eddie has been with Eddie's Automotive since 1967. His hobby is Drag Racing. He also was in the Naval Reserve.

   Virginia married Tom Conley of Omaha in July, 1967. They live in Omaha. Her children are Michelle, 13, in Jr. High at Ralston; Scott, ten; and Stacey, eight, both in Blumfield Grade School in the Ralston District. Tom is in construction. Virginia is a receptionist in a clinic.

   My brother, Leonard, married in August, 1946. In 1965, they moved from Lincoln to Colorado Springs. Their children are Diane, married to Vic Ziemer, and Larry. No grandchildren yet. Leonard is in the Chief Petroleum Co. business.

   My parents moved from Brainard to Weston in 1960 to be near me in their old age. Dad died in 1971, my husband in 1973, and my mother in 1976 at 91.

   I quilt with St. John's Quilting group since December, 1976. I was on the committee of Weston's Centennial History Book in 1976. On July 4th, 1976, we buried a time capsule in the Weston Park to be opened on July 4, 2026. I hope I live to see St. John's Parish of Weston observe their centennial in 1985. Submitted by Mrs. Emma Virginia Rezac

   The son of Jilji and Marketa Rezac, Frank came to America with them and his older brother, John F. and sister, Frances, at the age of 9, born 1865. His first home was a soddy approximately 3½ miles west of Wahoo, on the west end of the farm where Richard Rezac now lives. They later built a frame house ¼ mile north of the Richard Rezac home.

   When they first embarked on their travels to America, they had no idea where they'd be living in this country, but put their trust in a land agent awaiting their arrival in New York. He sent them on to Saunders Co. Frank's early memories include life in Moravia where the Green Tree Forests (blue spruce) were a breathtaking sight. All of these people lived in settlements and walked to their farms for the day's labors. Their animals and families shared a common roof, the stables being attached to the homes.

   The land purchased in Saunders County was done so through the Homestead Act.

   When Frank was 27, his parents and his bride-to-be's parents, Vaclav and Josephine (Koutney) Virgl arranged his marriage to Antonio Virgl, born in 1876.

   Frank and Antonie continued to live in the house built by Jilji. Their children were all born there; John E., June 27, 1895; Mary H., June 14, 1897; and Frank B., Feb. 17, 1902.

   In 1905, Antonie had surgery and Frank was suffering severe heart problems so they moved to a home in Wahoo. By 1912, Frank decided the boys shouldn't just loiter around town anymore so asked them what they'd like to do. They voted for a farming future. Their father then purchased the farm where Robert Medunas now live. At that time the house, completely finished inside and out, and the large barn cost $5200 to build. The hogshed was later built with lumber from the other farm and the corncrib added a few years later.

   As a child, Frank remembered the Indian migrations. The settlers stocked-up on staples before their arrival and soon had given much of it away. The Indians would ride up and demand something as theirs and just camp there until it was given to them. The squaws pulled the travois down the road behind their horses. The braves spread out through the fields, hunting game, which was plentiful in those days. A hunting expedition could net 30 or 40 prairie chickens or grouse quite easily.

   One year, just before the migration, a neighbor lost his whole hog herd to cholera, and after destroying the animals, dumped them into a hold near the Wahoo Creek crossing (no bridges then) near Jilji's home. The Indians camped there for days and cooked and ate those hogs. After they'd move on, the settlers looked the area over expecting to find dead Indians, only to find hog bones all over and around and nary a dead Indian.

page 384