FAMILY STORIES

months. Not being sick, his death was a terrible shock.

   They celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. In February, 1945, Elizabeth passed away at the age of 60. George decided to quit farming so he rented the farm out to 2 neighbors and had a farm sale in March. He went to carpentering which he enjoyed very much, being with the public until he suffered from arthritis. He passed away in 1959 at the age of 78. Submitted by Georgia Feist

   A sod house, 12 by 14 feet, on the Josef Fencl homestead was the birthplace of my father, Frank J. Fencl, on Oct. 29, 1872, soon after his parents moved onto 80 acres in Saunders County near the present site of Prague. Grandmother urged her husband to change occupations following an accident in the coal mine near Braidwook, Will County, Illinois. Her father, James Pacl, was homesteading in Sec. 10 and they moved near her family.

Date: 1900. Back Row, L. to R.: John Trojan, Frank J. Fencl, Frank Curda, Karel Vasina; Front Row, L. to R.: John Novotny, Karel Stava, Frank Polak.

   My paternal grandmother, Josefa, came first to the U.S. in 1868 with her father from Zichlice, north of Plzen, Bohemia. She wrote to Grandfather that life is good and suggested he also come. He responded that it was financially impossible. Thereupon Josefa Pacl, then 18, sent $400 to her future husband, Josef Fencl, in Civice, Bohemia.

   My father played with a local band for dances. At 23 he married my mother, Victoria Rerucha, of Prague, and they settled in Elk Precinct, 2 miles west and 2 south of Plasi.

   I am 10th of their 11 children. Names, first to last, Thomas, Ludvik, Ludmila, Ladislav, Louis, Stanley, Tillie, Rudolph, Hattie, Albina Therese, and Bohumil. Ladislav lived only 2 weeks due to whooping cough. Birth and marriage records are on Microfilm #1,017,650, SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, Plasi, P.O., Prague, Nebraska. These may borrowed through Mormon libraries. Hattie and I sang in the choir under organist, Mrs. Charles Woita. Stanley was an altar boy there under Mr. Polak. We were very fortunate to grow up in this community of friendly, helpful people.

   Rural electrification had not yet come and we carried wood into the kitchen. Three loaves of wheat-rye bread were baked every other day. For holidays we baked kolaches. Fruits from our orchards were sealed in 2-quart jars. Our root cellar stored homemade butter, milk from our cows, sometimes clabbered, now called yogurt, fresh apples in straw, and wine from cherries.

   Social life included ball games, tent variety shows, barn dances, outdoor platform dances. A Dodge sedan with snap-on side curtains and isinglass windows was the first family car; in it we attended wedding dances within 30 miles. The Starlight Ballroom on the highway was where we danced to big bands and the Glen Gray Orchestra. (More in Fencl Family Tree at Nebr. Historical Society, Lincoln.)

   The biggest party at our house celebrated my father's 60th birthday. We wrote skits, changed words to songs and I had a funny and serious "This Is Your Life" monologue. Friends, neighbors, and cousins came and danced to live music. I clearly recall the expressions playing on my father's face as I recited.

   In 1983, my husband, Art, will semi-retire from law practice and I plan a reunion. We'll reminisce, and I'll persuade Rudy to demonstrate how well Stan danced the Black Bottom! Rudy buried one jug of wine for aging and never found it. Art plans to locate that wine. What bouquet that treasure would have ... years AFTER its time! Submitted by Albina Therese O'Sullivan

   I, Duane Fjellin, was born in Saunders County, Wahoo, Nebraska. I have lived on the farm all my life. I have beef cattle, do some custom work and general farming.

   My activities are in the American Legion, Farm Bureau, Livestock Feeders Association, Bowling, Edensburg Lutheran Church in Malmo, Nebraska and service in Korean War.

   My father, David Fjellin, was born in Saunders County. His occupation was farming. My mother, Irene (Erickson) Fjellin, was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She was a school teacher in rural schools before their marriage.

   My grandfather, Henry Erickson, was born in Sweden. He came to Omaha, Nebraska at the age of nine years. My grandmother, Sophia (Barry) Erickson, was born in Saunders County. They met in Omaha, Nebraska and were married and lived in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. My grandfather worked on the railroad. Later, they moved to a farm near Weston, Nebraska.

   My grandfather, Gustaf Fjellin, was born in Sweden, came to America in 1887, came to Omaha, Nebraska, and, later, to Saunders County. My grandmother, Hilda (Olson) Fjellin, was born in Sweden. She came to the United States in 1886. They were married and came to Saunders County. Their occupation was farming.

   My great-grandfather, Anton Barry, was born in Sweden. He came to America in 1870. He worked on railroad construction in Driftwood, Pa. He married Johanna Johnson, who also came from Sweden. They came to Saunders County in 1876. They settled on a farm near Weston, Nebraska. They endured many hardships in order to make a living. He worked for the railroad company. He helped build the railroad between Valley and Valparaiso, Nebraska.

   There were no roads at that time. They drove over the fields. In order to build a house they had to get lumber from Fremont, Nebr. They hauled the lumber with teams and wagon. There was no bridge across the Platte River so drove across the water. There were no trees on the land which be bought for $7 an acre, so went to the creeks for seedlings and planted hundreds of cottonwood trees. They dug their wells by hand. Submitted by Duane Fjellin

   Harry Fleek was born to Rueben and Nellie Erickson Fleek April 29, 1912 at Valparaiso, Nebraska. This family lived and worked in Lincoln, and in the area, before moving to Chambers, Nebraska, in Holt County, where they were engaged in farming. The three children, Anna, Edward and Harry, received their education there. After the death of Harry's father, Saunders County again was their destination in 1934.

Harry and Alyce Fleek

   The Fleek family originated in Wisconsin. Having traced the name back five generations, it is not actually known which European country they emigrated from, but they are of German and Irish origin.

   Upon their arrival from Sweden, Harry's maternal grandparents, Eric and Carrie Erickson, came to Wahoo, Nebraska. They later moved to a farm near Valparaiso.

   Harry was married to Alyce Meidinger of Eureka, South Dakota at Bristow, Nebraska by Rev. Nils Holger Pearson. Alyce was born at Lemmon, South Dakota on November 25, 1916. After the death of her father during the influenza epidemic in 1918, the family moved to Eureka, South Dakota. August and Rose Opp Meidinger, parents of Alyce, were both born in McPherson County -- Eureka, South Dakota. Both sets of their parents were of German descent, and immigrated to America in 1884. Alyce has one sister, Irene Hinz, living in Minnesota. Alyce received her religious training in the Reformed Church at Eureka. She was educated in the Eureka schools, and also at Bismarck, North Dakota. She worked as an assistant to an optometrist and dentist prior to her marriage.

   After their marriage September 22, 1941, the Fleeks lived in Ceresco, Nebraska where they became parents of three children -- James Eugene, born August 6, 1942; Douglas Rueben, born January 29, 1945, who died shortly after birth; and JoAnn Claire, born June 21, 1947. Harry served on the Ceresco Village Board while residing in Ceresco.

   In March, 1952, the family moved to Wahoo, Nebraska where they still reside.

   Harry's occupation was in saleswork which he began in 1935 and is still actively pursuing. He is owner of the Paragon Company, which manufactures livestock feeds.

   In Wahoo the Fleeks belong to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. They have served in various capacities in Scouting, L.C.W. circles, Bible School, and other community and club activities in Wahoo.

   James Fleek was married on June 22, 1968 to Lori Fintel of Byron, Nebraska. They are both graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan. They have three children -- Christopher, Stacey and Andrew. Jim is in the insurance business in Lincoln.

   JoAnn Fleek was married on June 1, 1969 to William Roehrs, formerly of York, Nebraska. They are both graduates of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Bill is a music instructor in Lincoln, Nebraska. They have two children, Zachary and Benjamin.

   The history of Saunders County would not be complete without including the Flemings. Their roots are planted deeply in the rich farmland soil.

   Robert and Christina Fleming came from Dumfries, Scotland, to Quebec, Canada, in 1829. The sons migrated to Saunders County where they homesteaded.

   One son, Walter Fleming (1842-1920), was born in London, Canada. He attended public school and a commercial college. He moved to Saunders County in 1868, took up a homestead, entered a quarter section of land and immediately engaged in farming. His property consisted of the south half of the northeast quarter of section 4, the southeast quarter of section 4, the northwest quarter of section 10, and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 9 -- 480 acres. He had a fine orchard of fruit trees -- cherries, pears, and five acres of apple trees. The bins in the cave were filled to capacity each fall and the rest was given away.

   He was an active Republican and filled the position of county commissioner in 1884, 1885, and 1886. He was the first county superintendent of schools in 1871 and 1872. It was then he met and married Julia Wheeler who was teaching in a sod school house. (She told of how the snakes would drop

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from the ceiling among the children when she built a fire to warm the room.)

Walter G. and Louise Fleming

   To this union were born nine children and the family endured all the hardships of a prairie family -- locusts, summer storms that ruined crops, and historic blizzards. During a diphtheria epidemic half of the family was taken as the row of small markers in the Fleming cemetery verifies.

   When his sons were old enough to carry on with farming duties, Walter harnessed his prize team and went to town every day for the mail. He was president of the Morse Bluff bank. Later, he moved to Morse Bluff and his son, Walter G., stayed on the home place.

   Walter G. was the second youngest of the family born in 1887. He attended Fremont Normal (now Midland College). He married Louise Seligman in 1912.

   The depression of the 30's was endured, even with the failure of the bank and the resulting mortgage, that took most of the earnings each time a crop was harvested.

   There were many gatherings at the family home. The family clan came for Christmas and family reunion picnics. Ice cream was "hand cranked" almost every day in summer.

   The state fair was a must. The family left home before sunrise to get to Lincoln when the fair gates opened. An overflowing picnic basket was prepared the day before. They stayed until after the last show in the evening and made the long trip home.

   His son, Curtis, and grandson, Bruce, now farm the "home place" -- the original homestead of 114 years. Walter and Louise (both 95 years old) still live on the land they love so much. Submitted by: E. Odette Asay

   Curtis D. Fleming continues to live on and farm the family farm, part of which is his grandfather's original homestead of 1868. This year is the 114th year that this land has been tilled by the Fleming family.

   Curtis attended elementary school in rural District #79 and high school in Morse Bluff and North Bend. He married Geraldine "Jeri" Moravec of the Ithaca vicinity in 1952. Jeri graduated from Wahoo High School and did secretarial work at the College of Agriculture in Lincoln.

   They have four children: Connie (Emanuel) of Omaha; Bruce at home; Barbara and Bradley of Lincoln. Their children attended elementary school in Morse Bluff and Jr-Sr. High at North Bend. All four have continued their education at UNL. Connie has a B.S. in Home Economics; Bruce a B.S. in Agriculture; Barbara a M.A. in Agriculture. Bradley will graduate from the College of Engineering next May.

   They have been active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Bluffs. Curtis and Jeri are members of O.E.S. #138 and Curtis is a member of Occidental Lodge A.F. & A. M. of Cedar Bluffs. Jeri is also a member of Douglas Extension Club.

   Curtis served on the District 14 school board of Morse Bluff and helped organize the Consolidated District 95 Jr.-Sr. High School of North Bend. He was part of the original Board of Education of that District and served in that capacity for ten years.

   They built a new brick home in 1972 and have replaced most, but not all, of the old farm buildings of previous generations. Jeri's hobby is raising flowers which add much color to the surroundings. Submitted by Curtis D. Fleming

   Albert Flodman was born July 6, 1871, at Mead, Nebraska. He was the son of Adel and Sara Louise Johnson who immigrated here from Sweden. The Adel Johnson family consisted of six sons: Fred, Emil, Albert, Gust, David (a lifelong resident of Mead), Oscar, and one daughter, Dora (Burgeson). They made their home in a sod house southeast of Mead. Grandpa Adel worked at Stone Quarries near Louisville. He walked from Mead to Louisville to work and carried sacks of flour on his shoulder when returning home for weekends. The children attended public school, which was limited in those days; some attended approximately three grades.

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Flodman

   At the age of twenty-one, Albert Johnson and his brothers changed their name to Flodman, there being so many Johnsons in the community.

   Albert was married to Mabel Martis, October 4, 1899, daughter of Lars and Anna Martis of Omaha. They made their home in Mead where he and David Edgar were in partnership in a General Merchandise business in Mead. Partnership "Edgar & Flodman" dissolved in 1910 and Oscar Flodman purchased the Edgar share. Albert and brother, Oscar, operated the store for thirty-five years. Very interesting items were sold, satisfying everyone's needs.

   The upper story of the store served as Mead's Opera House & Cultural Center, featuring Lyceum Lecture courses. It was also used by the Mead school for the class plays and commencement exercises, banquets, and many other community activities.

   The Flodmans were members of the Swedish Mission Church of Mead and Albert served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Their children were one daughter, Anna Lorene, and one son, Harold. Harold passed away December 26, 1961.

   Mabel Flodman passed away August 26, 1955, and Albert passed away on May 5, 1959, at the home of their daughter in Ceresco where they lived the last years.

   Daughter, Lorene, and husband, Carl Mostrom, and grandson, Jon, and family reside in Ceresco and are in the banking business. Submitted by Lorene Mostrom

   Julius Hjalmer Flodman was born in Heda, Sweden on Sept. 23, 1859 and came to Polk County, Nebr. in 1872. After graduating from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., he came to Luther Academy in 1890 and taught Mathematics, Latin, and Natural Sciences until 1912 when ill health forced him to retire. Highlights during those years were his botanical expeditions to Montana and western Nebraska with Prof. P.M. Rydberg, and to the Halsey Forest with Dr. Charles Bessey of the University of Nebraska. He was married to Miss Emma Johnson of Paxton, Ill. who died in childbirth along with the son in 1901. On June 2, 1904, he married Augusta Stenholm, a fellow teacher, and they had three children; Milton, born July 7, 1905, died Sept. 29, 1949; Lester, born March 14, 1908, and Vera, born Dec. 21, 1910, and 5 grandchildren. Two years, 1917-1919, were spent in Colton, Oregon for the health of their son, Milton, who had asthma. He led a quiet life until his death at the age of 90 on Oct. 2, 1949.

Julius and Augusta Flodman

   Augusta Stenholm arrived in Wahoo an Oct, 29, 1885. She was born in Smaland, Sweden on May 17, 1868 and came to America in 1871 with her parents who settled in Gowrie, Iowa. Augusta had read about the opening of Luther Academy in her church paper and decided that was where she wanted to attend school. She graduated with the first class in 1886 and on the day of graduation she was called to become a teacher. She taught English as her main subject, but she could teach any subject and was called on to do so during the 25 years she taught at Luther. Her quiet and unassuming manner and an excellent teacher made a deep impression upon her many students. She was also Lady Principal for many years, a position she did not relish. In 1889, while visiting in Lindsborg, Kansas, by chance she became a charter member of the Augustana Lutheran Women's Missionary Society, which had a big influence on the direction of her whole life. She was

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