FAMILY STORIES

Lincoln. The Rev. Walter F. Neth, who preached in Saunders County for many years, performed the ceremony. Two weeks after the wedding, I went to work for the Burlington Railroad in Lincoln, and was employed until my retirement in 1975, a period of thirty-six years.

   Vera Marie Quass was born at Paddock, Holt County, Nebraska, on April 12, 1917. At about two months of age, Vera went by covered wagon, with her folks, to Montana, where her parents homesteaded land.

   Returning to Nebraska a couple years later, her parents took up farming in Saunders County, first, a mile north and a mile west of Ashland; then, a few years later, to the Memphis vicinity. Vera attended school at Dist. 5, north of Ashland, at the Memphis School, and at Ashland High School where she graduated in the Class of 1935.

   Her father,Otto F., besides being a farmer, was a substitute mail carrier out of the Ashland Post Office for some twenty-five years, and also worked at the Mead Ordnance Plant for several years.

   Otto F. Quass was born near Leshara, Nebraska in 1892, the son of Fred W. and Anna (Klein) Quass, and passed away at Newark, California in 1971. His wife, Mabel V. (Clyde) Quass, born at Elk Point, South Dakota in 1894, married Otto F. Quass, at O'Neill, Nebraska, on Febr. 14, 1914. They were the parents of six daughters, Nellie (Hall); Rose (Frahm); Vera (Buster); Doris (Quinn); Shirley (Williams); and Maureen (Sandels).

   My grandfather, William Marion Buster, was born in Missouri in 1838. He was a rebel soldier during the Civil War (1st Missouri Cavalry). After the war he came to Elmwood, Nebraska to make his home. He homesteaded land north of Elmwood, and was also a grading boss for the railroad. One stretch of railroad he worked on was the part near Memphis from Ashland to Wahoo.

   After the death of his wife, Elizabeth (Eastlack) Buster, he came to Ashland and lived out the remaining years of his life in Ashland. He passed away in 1923, burial at Elmwood, Nebr.

   My wife's grandfather was Fred W. Quass, born 1864 in Tharden, Germany. He came to Saunders County in 1866, where he farmed near Leshara. Also, he was a Circuit Riding Minister in Saunders County for the Methodist Church. He died at Ashland in 1921.

   Vera and I have three children: William L., born 1937, of Fridley, Minnesota; Gary K., born 1942, of San Diego, California; and Jacqueline K., born 1945, of Lincoln, Nebraska. By Keith and Vera Buster

   John Thomas Cadwell was a young farmer when he left his home in Ohio in 1856 to come to the Nebraska Territory, where he bought 158 acres along the river in Cass County in Glendale Township. In May, 1865, he moved to his homestead claim of 160 acres north of Ashland in Clear Creek Precinct, Saunders County, where he lived the rest of his days. He died 24 March 1898, and was buried in the family plot of the Plainview Cemetery near his home.

Children of John Thomas and Sarah E. Cadwell. L to R, Back Row: Cora, Jesse, Emmett and Alice; Front Row: Ora, Ada, Ida, and baby Charlie.

   John Thomas was born 3 February 1834 in Washington County, Ohio, the only son of James and Lucy (Hamilton) Cadwell. James came to Ohio in 1817 from Billinge, Lancashire, England. John Thomas was married 27 October 1861 in South Bend Precinct, Cass County, Nebraska, to Sarah Elizabeth Gilbert born 12 December 1841, Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Josiah Ward and Catherine (Pettie) Gilbert in Sarah's home. This union produced nine children: Ida, b. 1863 (the only one born in Cass County, the rest, in Saunders County); Ada, 1865; Emmett, 1867; Alice, 1869; Jesse, 1870; Cora, 1873; Ora, 1875; Asie, 1878; and Charles, 1880. Sarah, the mother, died of measles 2 March 1881 at age 40, and was buried in the Plainview Cemetery. John Thomas remained single.

   Charles J. Cadwell, the baby of the family, was the only one of the children to live beyond the age of 40. He died in 1959 in Vancouver, Washington at age 78, leaving his widow, Gladys, and children, Francis, Betty, and Charles Jr. All the girls and Jesse died of consumption as did the father, John Thomas. Ida died unmarried in 1886; Ada died in 1893 and left husband, Herbert Porter, and children, Forrest, Fern, Jack, Harry, and Marie; Jesse died in 1896, unmarried; Cora died in 1896 and left husband, Charles W. Middleton, and two-year-old Halson; Ora died in 1915 and left widower, Wallace Wagner, with children, Cyrus, 17, Harlow, Orville, Charles, Naomi, Archie, and Velma, 3.

   Two of the boys met with tragic deaths. Emmett was last heard from in May, 1895 at Shoshone, Idaho, and was believed to have been trapped in a snowslide which occurred in the area at that time. Asa homesteaded near Bayard, Nebraska, and was fatally wounded by a shot from a neighbor's gun in 1918. He left his widow, Lula (Parks) Cadwell, with Everett, 17, Jesse, Clarence, Glenn, Dorothy, Florence, Vera, Elizabeth, and Maxine, 1.

   John Thomas Cadwell's life seems to have been fraught with a great many tragedies. However, he seems to have accepted all that befell him with a certain stoic patience that many men are denied. This characteristic is a dominant one that has been carried on in his progeny to the many who still live in Nebraska, and to those who are scattered throughout the land. By Mary Anders

   Charles Caha was born in David City, NE and came to Wahoo with his parents, Rudy and Gladys Caha, when he was 5 years old. He attended school in Wahoo for several years and then attended Rural School District #71. He graduated from Wahoo High School in 1966. His Baccalaureate Service was a memorable one! While the family was attending those services in Wahoo, a tornado touched down on their farm, uprooting trees and doing considerable damage to the buildings.

   Chuck joined the U.S. Navy in late 1966 and served 3 years -- most of his time being spent in Vietnam on the various rivers in the Mekong Delta. He was a diesel mechanic on a LST.

   Chuck was sure he had seen enough of the rest of the world and wanted to stay here and farm.

   He had met Ruth Fiala before he went to Vietnam. They corresponded regularly during those years he was away. When he returned, he asked her to marry him and she said "YES"! They became engaged on her birthday in June and were married in October. They moved to a farm southeast of Wahoo.

   Ruth, daughter of Rudy and Connie Fiala, had lived in Lincoln, graduated from high school there, and completed a course of study in a business school. Being a city girl, she found life on the farm a little too quiet and lonely at first. She worked at the First National Bank in Wahoo for several years, until their daughter, Traci, was born. Several years later, their son, Jeff, joined the family. Farm life was no longer quiet or lonely.

Frank and Anna Caha, Touhy -- 50th wedding Anniversary

   Rose Ruzicka married Frank Caha. There are two sons, Stanley and Joseph and three daughters, Ruby, Martha and Evelyn. They lived near Ceresco, Nebraska, where Frank was engaged in farming.

Frank Caha Family. Front Row, L to R: Rose (Ruzicka), Frank, Evelyn; Back Row: Ruby, Joseph, Stanley, and Martha Pecena.

   Stanley married Lucile Olson of Ceresco where he owned and operated a machine shop and died at the early age of 53 of cancer. He played the trumpet in the Ceresco and Malmo band under the direction of Louis Pokorny. He was also orchestra director in the Czech Presbyterian church, near Wahoo. He could play all the brass instruments. He had a life long interest in flying. He purchased a plane in need of repair, fixed it and then would fly around the countryside on Sunday afternoons, giving relatives and friends rides. Sometimes landings were not too smooth when he hit a gopher hole in the prairie on his parents place. He also used the plane to deliver repaired parts to customers. In 1933, during the depression, he purchased the first combine in the area, the Woods Bros. Combine, and combined for many farmers throughout the community. The community also knew him as an excellent welder and blacksmith, following in his ancestors' footsteps. He was well-liked in the community. Stanley was well read and self-educated. He had a knack for many different things.

   There were four children. Stanley Lumir, the oldest, attended Wesleyan and the University of Nebraska. He married Sidonia Kantner who was born in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia and they have three children, Stanley Thomas, Alan Robert and Joan Elizabeth. Norma (Caha) Frnka received her Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts Degree from the University of Nebraska. Lynne Lucille attended Wesleyan University and married Merwin Giesmann. They have two daughters, Lisa and Sonja. Gordon also attended the University of Nebraska. He married Karen Dimmit and they have four children, Kenneth, Calvin, Rodney and Laura

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Caha. The Caha boys often like to come from California and "vacation" working on the Caha land.

   Joseph married Ann Kuncl from Omaha. Ann received her degree from the University of Nebraska and served in the Navy in W.W. II. They have three children. Barbara (Harano) received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska. She graduated with distinction. (Barbara was Saunders Co. Czech Queen and Nebraska Czech Queen.) Mark married Deborah Algya from Omaha. They both attended Omaha U. and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Debra received her degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. They have two children, Kimberly Michelle and Bryan David. Mark resides on the family farm which has been in the family since 1903. Gerald Joseph (Jerry Joe) is attending the University of Nebraska and is a student of the Czech language. He visited Czechoslovakia in 1981. Joseph met a tragic death in July 1980 during a three-week hot spell of 106 degrees during harvest, of a heart attack and was also meshed between the truck and auger. Joseph lived his entire life on the family farm. He also visited his sister, Evelyn, in Europe whereby they both toured Europe and North Africa quite extensively. He was known for his sense of humor. Joe played the alto and trumpet in Louis Pokorny's Malmo Band and Ceresco Band.

   Ruby and Evelyn reside in Lincoln. Ruby received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska and advanced major in art. She was commissioned to do the relief map of Webster County for the Willa Cather Museum at Red Cloud. She also worked as an artist on the diorama habitat group, "blue heron", located at Morrill Hall Museum, Lincoln, Nebraska. She has a sculpture and pottery piece on permanent collection at the University of Nebraska. She has had her sculpture and pottery exhibited nationally, regionally and locally. She won first prize in the Ceramic National Exhibition at Long Island, New York. One ceramic pot was chosen at Syracuse, New York for a 2 year traveling exhibition in Art Museums in the United States. She has several ceramics in private collections. Ruby also had a grant to study at the famous art school in Uppsala, Sweden but was unable to because of her mother's illness. During World War II, Ruby was an instructor to the air force soldiers in the electrical engineering department at the Lincoln Air base. She also has her pilots license for flying, and has logged more than 100 hours flying time. She has had over 150 hours in electronics, physics and carrier telephone and telegraph instruction at the University of Nebraska Physics Department for the Western Electric Co. She had training for secret Navy proximity bombs. She has also worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation at Washington, D.C. She worked in the Nebraska State Journal offset department, doing paste-up art, negative development, layout stripping, and velox and brown print developing. In the later years she has worked for Federal Bureau Soil Conservation in the cartographic department making maps.

   Evelyn received her Bachelor of Science degree, Master's degree and all course work towards a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. She was on the honor roll. She received several scholarships and was also the recipient of an Exchange Scholarship to the Charles University at Prague, Czechoslovakia, where she was enrolled in the Philosophical Faculty. She was perhaps one of the first to break the boundary and visit the land of her ancestors. It was one of the thrilling highlights of her life to visit the land of her ancestors, where she was able to reestablish family ties sometimes long forgotten or lost. She brought home her mother's baptismal papers from Czechoslovakia since she was only four when she came to America. It was a memorable event to stay in the house where her mother was born and to see the houses and villages where her relatives came from. Her sister, Martha, accompanied her on this trip for the first three months. They traveled on the Queen Elizabeth. Since then Evelyn had crossed the Atlantic 5 times by air. After leaving Czechoslovakia, Evelyn worked for Radio Free Europe in Munich, Germany. After the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia, she has continued her interest in her ancestral countrymen by helping many Czechoslovakian and east European refugees resettle in Nebraska. Evelyn attributes her interest in this area by listening to her grandmother talk about Czechoslovakia, the forests, the family, the geese, picking mushrooms, etc. Also one of Evelyn's greatest thrills was to trace her ancestors back to the 1700's from the records of her family Czech-Moravian brethren church in Horny Vilemovice, Moravia. Evelyn was also active in the Czech church where she was choir director and president of the Christian Endeavor. She also played the piano, and the trumpet in Louis Pokorny's Malmo Band and Ceresco Band.

   Josef Caha (1845-1926) from Roznatin, Moravia and his wife Maria (Caha) Caha (1847-1938) from Budikovice Moravia came to this country in May, 1875 with Josef's elderly mother, Anna (Bednar) Caha, (born 1801) and their 2 year old daughter, Frances (1873-1964). Josef's only brother, Frantisek, was a builder of bridges, some of which are still standing today in CSR. Since this brother had disappeared while traveling abroad, presumably England, Josef brought his entire family to America. Two years later, in 1877, he sent for his sister, Mary, and her husband Josef Pokorny and their two sons, John and Frank. This completed the transfer of the entire Caha family from Roznatin. Josef Caha married his cousin and both came from a long line of blacksmiths, which he also continued here in this country. Josef spent much time and money trying to locate his brother or determine his fate to no avail. Both brother and sister had 11 children and both lost a child, Josef's family one in infancy and Mary Pokorny's daughter, Mary, from diphtheria. The mother lived a long life until her 90's.

   As was the case in the early years, the newcomers always made their home with someone else until their own home was established. In this case, the Cahas first stayed with the Konecky's near Wahoo. Josef Caha soon bought some land 6 miles southwest of Wahoo for $3 per acre where they made their first dugout. When his sister, Mary, and her husband, Josef Pokorny, came, they, too, lived with the Josef Caha's in the dugout for awhile until they bought their own land. They later lived across the road from each other. After several years, the Caha's made their first frame house and then in 1917, a large, two story frame house, both of which are still standing. One of the motivations for Josef Caha coming to America was the desire to own his own land. He also managed to buy each of his sons a farm in his lifetime.

   Joseph Caha was also one of the charter members of the Czech-Moravian Brethren church situated ½ mile away from their home. Grandmother and Grandfather Caha were well known for their hospitality. They always invited someone to their home for Sunday dinners. This always invariably included the relatives and grandchildren. Whenever there were ministers or guests from elsewhere they always invited them to stay at their home. They were known to be kind and generous people, ready to help anyone in need with no thought of recompense. They both came from a long line of deeply religious people and always continued their great love of their church. Grandpa Caha also planted many trees, grapes and evergreen trees which still stand today. He was well known for his excellent wine that he could make. Josef Caha died at the age of 81 while working in the vineyards. Grandma Caha foretold her death by one day stating that she will be here only a few more days. They had 10 children -- 6 boys and 4 girls.

Front Row L. to R.: Mary Erickson, Joseph, Carrie Filinger, Marie and Frances Ruzicka; Back Row: Ludvik, William, Rudolph, Rose, Frank, Joseph, and Laddie Caha.

   Frank (1875-1955) was the first child born in a dugout on the homestead, and presumably rallied after the lost brother. He was born 2 months after their arrival on August 4, 1875. He well remembered the Blizzard of 1888. He tarried after school to play because it was such a nice warm day, and then was forced to find his way home by following the fence. He later married Rose Ruzicka (1887-1968) who is a niece of Vaclav Ruzicka who married Frank's sister, Frances. They had five children. In 1903, Frank obtained a patent on a specially designed steam combustion engine he designed. He also had a life-long interest in Chemistry. Come

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canning time and mother would look for her fruit jars, she would find that father had almost used them all up for his chemical experiments. Naturally, there was always a little dispute afterwards. He also ran for the House of Representatives but did not believe in going out and campaigning. He was also director of the School Board for 14 years in an Irish neighborhood. Frank was an avid reader as was also the case with his other brothers and sisters. The Bible was always read on Sundays.

   Joseph, Jr. (1877-1966) farmed northwest of Ceresco. He was well known for his fine wine which he made from his own large vineyard. He also grew beautiful fruit trees. In 1933, he visited the Chicago Worlds Fair and brought his nieces and nephews interesting souvenirs. Joseph also liked to read for one of his pastimes.

   William (1879-1962) also owned a farm, but his main pursuit was establishing and preserving an unusual 20-acre apple and nut orchard. Plantings from this orchard are at the Hans Burchardt Arboretum at Branched Oak near Raymond, Nebraska. William was also well read in History.

   Mary (1881-1925) married Godfrey Erickson (1888-1967) and lived in Rapid City, South Dakota. She died suddenly in November, 1925, while peeling potatoes. There is one daughter, Geneva Richardson, who resides in South Carolina. She has one daughter, Susan Gayle.

   Rudolph (1884-1966) farmed two miles south of the homestead. He married Anna Pallas (1890-1973) who came from Czechoslovakia as a young girl. There were eleven children.

   Ladislav (1888-1911) died of appendicitis at the age of 22. He was known to be a jolly person and one who loved to go visiting.

   Ludvik (1886-1974) lived most of his life on the family farm. He married Alma Trutna (1907-1967). He was known for his cattle raising and his business acumen.

   Rose (1891-1927) received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska. She taught Chemistry and Mathematics in several states. She died at the age of 36 of unknown causes. She was gifted in music, playing the piano and violin, as well as in art. Many of her pictures adorn the walls of her relatives homes.

   Carrie was born in 1893. She attended College at Peru. She married William Filinger and still resides in Cuba, Kansas. She is the last living member of the family at 90.

   Many of the children were musically inclined in playing the violin as was Carrie, William, Rose and Ludvik.

   There were many stories of the early days in the dugout, which actually, however, was quite comfortable, but not as much as the later frame houses. They had to go a long way to secure water and were very careful to use it wisely and not waste it. Their closest town at that time for provisions was Fremont and traveling to Fremont took a long time with horses. They were also accustomed to having Indians come to their home asking for meat.

   The following descendants have also visited their ancestral homeland in recent years. Martha (Caha) Pecena, Evelyn Caha, Stanley Lumir Caha and family, and Jerry Joe Caha in 1981. The church that they used to attend is still active in Horny Vilemovice. It was in this church that some of the relatives were able to trace their ancestors back to the 1770's. In one of the entries it stated "Josef and Mary Caha and daughter Frances went to America in May, 1875." It was indeed thrilling to visit this church, play on their organ and partake of the services. As one of the Cahas of the community told their American relatives, "Budikovice and Horny Vilemovice is all Caha territory -- they are all over." In years back, when Frantisek and Jacob Caha were alive, they bore a great resemblance to my father, Frank Caha, and my uncle, Rudolf Caha. It was also thrilling to see a letter written to Jacob Caha by Grandpa Caha asking him to come to America that he would help him buy some land. They had saved this letter since the 1870's and treasured it. Jacob decided to remain at the home place instead but later regretted it because times were hard and they had to endure wars and occupation. He said, "Look at you -- you are able to come and visit us years later -- but we would never be able to." At one time, the relatives were also able to see the old original blacksmith machinery of the Cahas in their homes.

   Last of all, there is a kind of mystery surrounding the Caha name. Grandma Caha used to say that ours is an Irish name. Sure enough, there are Caha mountains on the peninsula in southwest Ireland in Kerry County. Did an Irishman get lost in Czechoslovakia or a Caha in Ireland?

   The following is based on an excerpt from a letter on February 28, 1978 to Evelyn Caha from Rev. Mrazek, former Czech Presbyterian minister in Minnesota and Omaha. "The enclosed "Kostnicke Listy" came the other day and I readily spotted the name Caha. It's an interesting description of an old Czech Brethren custom of using the pewter Communion dishes. And your family predecessor, Mikulas Caha, back in the 18th century was permitted to use them, because there was a dire need for ordained Pastors -- during those awful persecutions."

Pewter Communion Dishes

   A synopsis of the article is as follows: The Pewter Communion dishes are still being used today in the church in Horny Vilemovice, Moravia. No one knows for certain when they first started using the pewter dishes but perhaps before the Battle of White Mountain in 1620 when the Protestants were defeated by the Catholics.

   The article continues by asking "Just who is Mikulas Caha?" In the area round Trebic, Moravia, after 1730, there were no ordained pastors. However, lay persons could conduct services and communion. Many of these people practiced this earlier as pastors and teachers.

   However, in this area, the task became Mikulas Caha's, who lived at Smrcne and was a wheel maker and farmer. He used the original pewter dishes that are now in Horny Vilemovice. He was persecuted by the Catholic priests because he was one of the last of the great religious leaders left.

   After the death of Vaclav Klusak, the famous preacher from Trebic, Caha was the only teacher of the Protestant faith left.

   Earlier on May 23, 1721, Karel Necas, Vaclav Klusak, Jiri Trutnar, Samuel Krcal, Tomas Pestal and Mikulas Caha were imprisoned for their religious beliefs. Caha was 30 years old at that time. However, he was again imprisoned in 1734.

   In 1757 Mikulas Caha was betrayed by Pan Janacek who was a distributor of printed books and materials. He admitted to the authorities that most of the books were bought by Caha. Although he was beaten with a bull whip, he never revealed the names of the people from whom he bought the material or to whom he distributed them or who he taught. They could not obtain any information from him. He continued to faithfully serve his followers in his later years long after his 60 years and was also very ill.

   In the year 1761, the authorities found 3 Evangelical books in Vrzanov. Mikulas Caha, now 70 years old, became frightened and rushed from Smrcne to Budikovice to warn his relatives -- a distance of about 20-25 miles by foot. Such a long journey for such an old man was suspicious to the Catholic priests and they captured him and imprisoned him in Kamenice. He got 54 lashes with the bull whip and then they learned only a part of what they already knew -- where part of the books were -- but he NEVER divulged to whom he served Communion, when or where.

   Sixty-three books were confiscated at that time. Most were distributed by Mikulas Caha and in that era in the Trebic region, almost all Evangelical books were lost. Mikulas Caha never revealed more than what he was sure they already knew. For his courage and indomitable spirit he became an outstanding person -- a hero -- much revered by the people in this area at this time. For his suffering, his great spiritual faith and courageous leadership of the Czech-Moravian Brethren faith, people honored him and everyone remembered who was Mikulas Caha.

   On April 6, 1916, a son named Reuben Edwin was born to Rudolph and Anna (Pallas) Caha of Thurston, Nebraska, where Mr. Caha was engaged in farming. He was renting land from Henry Whitespirit. In the spring of 1917, Reuben with his parents and brother, Laddie, and two sisters, Sylvia and Erma, moved to the former George Harmon farm four miles west and four and one-half miles south of Wahoo, where he spent his youth, playing and sometimes fighting with his brothers and sisters. Those born later were Lydia, Theophil, Rudolph, Jr., Donald, Ruth, Joyce, and Jean. He had the usual chores to do, such as bringing in the cobs and wood, picking eggs, cleaning the chicken house, etc. He attended School District #71, one year at Weston High School and was graduated from Wahoo High School Class of "35". He later attended a three month Welding School at the University of Omaha. In 1941, he rented a 200-Acre farm from a neighbor, Mrs. Fred Olson, which he farmed for one year. Then Uncle Sam said, "We need you." So Reuben sold out and enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as an Aviation Cadet. In March of 1944, he received his Commission as Ensign and his "Navy Wings of Gold" at Pensacola, Florida, Naval Air Station. He served as an Instrument Flight Instructor at the Naval Air Station at Lake City, Florida, where he flew twin engine landbased bombers (PV2).

Reuben and Marie Caha

   On March 23, 1944, Reuben was married to Marie M. Cejka, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Jasa) Cejka of Weston, Nebraska, at the Presbyterian Church at Pensacola, Florida. Marie attended

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