FAMILY STORIES

kept the farming operation going with milking and selling milk, raising chickens and selling eggs.

Back Row, L. to R.: Connie, Gregory, Russell; Front Row: Lenore, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Larson, and Carmen.

   October 15, 1941, Vernon married Deana E. Morris, a stenographer at the First National Bank. She was born at Memphis so was born in Saunders County. Her father was Andrew White Morris and Clara Edith Hendricks was her mother. They were teachers at Malmo, Memphis, Ashland, Wann, and other towns in the County.

   Vernon and Deana were blessed with five children, Carmen, Gregory, Lenore, Connie and Russell. All are married except Carmen and Russell. Gregory and Russell are living in Saunders County, and are in business and farming together.

   In honor of their parents' fortieth anniversary, the children went together and sent Vernon and Deana to Maine to visit their daughter and her family. They extended the excitement of flying to Boston by taking them on a 35-mile canoe trip from Attean Lake, down the Moose River, and back to Attean Lake.

   In 1964, the Larsons built a ranch-style house on the farm and lived in the old house while the new one was bring built. The material for the house came from Wadena, Minnesota in two large truck loads. It was interesting, watching the process.

   There are now 5 grandsons and 2 granddaughters added to the family, but the family is so scattered that they seldom get to see each other.

   The Larsons attend the Covenant Church and have been active in the church. Submitted by Vernon R. Larson

   Martin and Olinne Larson were married in Norway. Two of their children were born in Norway. They homesteaded west of Wahoo and were neighbors of the Herfordt family. Their children were Louis, Dorothy, Charles L., Ellen, Clara, James D. Otto, Henry and William O. Louis and Dorothy preceded their parents in death. The children attended school at District 70. Submitted by Vernon R. Larson

   John Darling Lasure was born in Berlin, Vermont in September, 1839 to Calvin T. Lasure and Harriet Wright Darling. At the age of 28 he married Olive Patterson on January 1, 1868 in Sharon, Vermont.

John and Olive Lasure Family. Left to Right: John, Lillian, Olive; Front: Letha Emily.

   The couple remained in Vermont until 1871 when they came west to settle in Ottercreek Township in Tama County, Iowa. Here daughter, Lillian Estelle, was born in February, 1875.

   John and Olive Lasure left Iowa about 1874 and returned to Vermont to care for Olive's ailing mother in her declining years. Here a second daughter, Edith, was born in 1877.

   After Olive's mother passed away in 1879, John, Olive and the two daughters came west again in 1880. They came as far west as Tama County, Iowa ... spending the summer here. In the fall of 1880, they came on to Saunders County, Nebraska where John D. Lasure purchased land in Saunders County in Richland Precinct from Omar A. Churchill. This land is directly east of Ceresco, Nebraska.

   John and Olive Lasure farmed here, and the eldest daughter Lillie, married in February, 1898, Henry Elbert Nash, son of Oscar and Emily (Curtis) Nash. Henry and Emily lived on the Nash "homeplace" until 1916 when Henry died. Their children were an infant son, and two daughters, Verna Lillian and Letha Emily. Verna married in March, 1929, Fay H. Schiefelbein, son of Charles L. and Anna L. E. (Frei) Schiefelbein, and grandson of Frederick C. and Pauline (Mallwitz) Schiefelbein.

   Lillie Nash sold the farm and moved into the village of Wahoo, later moving to University Place ... now in Lincoln, Nebraska. Lillie (Lasure) Nash was keenly active in the Temperance Reform and served as president of the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union in University Place-Lincoln. She was Director of Scientific Temperance Instruction in Lancaster County, prior to her death (1929).

   John D. Lasure died on October 14, 1916. The farm was sold and Olive and her daughter, Edith, moved to Wahoo, and, in 1923, moved to University Place, too. Edith never married but cared for her mother until her death. Olive (Patterson) Lasure passed away on January 12, 1939 at the age of 94 years.

   Olive Patterson was born October 29, 1844 in Strafford, Vermont. Her parents were Emily Bryant and Joel Patterson. She began teaching school at the age of fifteen years and taught until her marriage to John D. Lasure in 1868.

   John D. Lasure and his wife, Olive and daughter, Edith, are all buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Ceresco, Nebraska. Also buried here are Lillian (Lasure) Nash and her husband, son, and daughter.

   A sister of Olive's, Emily (Patterson) Hammett, and her husband, George, and family lived nearby in Richland Precinct. In 1898, Emily died and the body was returned to Iowa for burial.

   The Lasure family was originally LeSeur and appears to be of French origin. The Patterson family is of Scottish origin coming from John Patterson who left Scotland and went from Argyllshire, Scotland to County Antrim, Ireland in 1680. In 1721, the family moved to America, settling first in New Hampshire in Rockingham County, and, later, in Vermont. Mrs. Roy E. Schiefelbein

   My grandfather and his brothers, Eric and Louis Lawson, worked on a track-laying gang when the Burlington railroad was built through Nebraska. When the construction reached Sutton, Nebraska, they quit to seek other employment. My grandfather obtained work on the construction of a gas works in Lincoln, working as a laborer. He worked for the gas company for seventeen years, the last ten as a foreman at a salary of $100 per month. He married Emelia Carlson in 1872. They had four children, my father, Albert, and his sister, Anna (Lawson) Bredenberg. Two children died in infancy.

   My grandfather and his brother went to Malmo to visit friends, and, while there, learned of some land available for purchase. So they each purchased eighty acres of land from the Union Pacific Railroad for six and seven dollars an acre with ten years to pay. My grandfather then stayed in Lincoln and worked at his job until the land was paid for. He later purchased the eighty acres from his brother.

Albert and Anna Lawson, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 1958

   My grandfather and his family moved to the farm near Malmo in 1888, which was my father's home for the next 74 years. My sister, Bernice (Lawson) Evans, and I were born on the farm and lived here with our parents until adulthood.

   My mother, Anna (Anderson) Lawson, was born in Skane, Sweden, one of ten daughters of John A. Anderson. The family immigrated from Sweden in 1888 and located near Ceresco. For many years, my grandfather managed grain elevators for the Nye, Schneider and Fowler Grain Co. After leaving home, my mother worked as a housemaid for various families in Omaha. She then went into dressmaking and operated a dressmaking shop in Colon. It was while working here she met my father. They were married in 1909 and lived all but the last three years of their married life on the farm near Malmo. My mother died in 1965 at the age of 87 and my father in 1966 at the age of 92. They are buried in the Bethesda Cemetery near Malmo.

   I am living in Lincoln, Nebraska and am retired after a career in civil engineering. My sister, Bernice, is married to Arthur (Bud) Evans and lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We continue to own the family farm. Submitted by Norman W. Lawson

   Bernard's family farmed around Friend, Nebraska. They moved to Omaha in 1930, where Bernard finished his schooling at South High. Then he was employed with Swift and Company for 39 years. Before his retirement, he worked in the South Omaha Plant; then was transferred to St. Joseph, Missouri. He was there for a year and a half, when the plant was closed.

Bernard and Mary Lawver

   We bought a farm in Saunders County in 1971.

   Mary and Bernard were married in Papillion, Nebraska in 1933.

   They had three children: Richard, who resides on a farm in Saunders County; Sandra Kay (Lawver) Klaudt, residing near Martell, Nebraska at present, who in the future, will be moving to Allentown,

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Pennsylvania; and Deanna Lynn (Lawver) Schnoor, residing in Ralston, Nebraska.

   Mary (Fortuna) Lawver, Bernard's wife, was born in Marquette, Michigan, moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she resided.

   Since retiring to the farm in Saunders County, we farmed until 1982; then rented the farm out. We raised cattle most of that time, still have some cattle. We are now breeding and raising registered American Quarter Horses. Submitted by Bernard Lawver

   Richard Leroy Lawver was born 30-July-1935 in Omaha at the home of his parents, Mary Anne (Fortuna) and Bernard Lloyd Lawver. He attended Lincoln, Robbins and Edward Rosewater grade schools, South High School. Following graduation, he joined Nebraska National Guard, attaining staff sergeant rank. He worked for: Geiler Bros. Lumber, Ralston; Carl Byers Dairy, Irvington; Arthur Thiessen farm, LaPlatte; drove livestock trucks for Cotton Transfer; carpenter for Pat McKenna (1955, who built our first home), Henry Smith Construction; and Route Captain, Omar Bakery. In 1958, he moved to Gretna, worked at Camp Ashland as a vehicle maintenance technician. In 1960, he built our second home near Gretna. He worked part-time for area farmers; MFA insurance; cabinet/carpentry. In 1964, he assumed Saunders County territory for Walnut Grove 4x4 Livestock feeds; 1968 -- managed Memphis elevator; 1969 -- assistant manager at Cedar Bluffs Co-op; 1970-1973 -- traveled Midwest, buying/selling feeder pigs for Weichman Pig Company. Richard has improved our home farm extensively, feeds several hundred hogs annually and runs a cow-calf herd.

The Richard Lawver Family

   Clara Mae (Groves) Lawver was born 26-March-1936, daughter of Ruth Lenore (Fay) and Roscoe Fred Groves, farmers near Richfield, Nebraska. She attended Corrigan, Ashland Park Elementary schools, South High School. Her employment: reporter/proof-reader at Ralston Recorder; bookkeeper, WOW Radio/TV; organist at Ralston Congregational Church where she married Richard Lawver, 24-November-1953 (his parent's 20th Anniversary); joined Gretna Methodist Church 1958 and was organist 1959-1964; taught private piano. In 1964, she joined the Saunders County Historical Society and is currently president of Saunders County Genealogical Seekers. She finds special joy in: FAMILY and history; music and art; horses and cows; dogs and cats; stamps and coins.

   Richard Michael (Mike) Lawver, born 28-September-1956, attended Gretna, Dist. #24, #91, #103 elementary schools, graduated from Prague High School in 1974, Southeast Community College/Milford in 1976 with a Welding Technology degree. He earned his private pilot's license in 1979; has welding shop at home and is part-owner of 200 acres near Plasi Church; a partner in feeder pig and cow-calf operation with parents.

   Matthew Warren Lawver, born 2-September-1959, attended Dist. #24, #91 elementary schools, 1977 graduate of Prague High school, and 1981 graduate of Yale University with a Computer Science degree. On 29-May-1982, he married Joni Lee Railsback at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Omaha.

   Katherine Ruth Lawver, born 13-September-1963, attended Dist. #24, #91 elementary schools, 1981 graduate of Prague High; is a 1983 graduate of Southeast Community College, Lincoln with an Associate of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising.

   Mary Elizabeth Lawver, born 17-March-1970, a descendant of pioneer Nebraskans who were originally from Scotland, Germany and Slovakia, we celebrate her birthday with orange sherbet, orange drinks and white cake! She has attended Dist. #24. She enjoys caring for horses, cattle, dogs and cats.

   Mark Alan Lawver, born 20-June-1976 was a most welcome Father's Day gift that year. He attends Dist. #24, and exhibits strong interests in science, mathematics, things mechanical, the piano, other music and art.

   Carl Levi Layman was born December 15, 1928 near Herman, Nebraska. He was the fifth child of Herschel and Lola Layman. Grandparents were Levi and Sarah Layman, and Henry and Cora Dennis. Great-grandparents were George and Nancy Layman, Nathan and Harriet Cliffton, Jasper and Caroline Dennis, and Thomas and Ardelia Lewis. Herschel and Lola grew up in Missouri. They moved to the Tekamah, Nebraska area in the early 1920's as farmers.

   They lived about five miles west of Herman until 1942, at which time the family moved to Fremont. As a young man, Carl worked at various jobs, including in a restaurant that the family owned. In 1948, he enlisted in the army for one year. In February, 1950, he went to work for George A. Hormel's Packing Plant in Fremont, where he still works.

   Carl married Caroline Kellog in Jan., 1952; she also worked at Hormel's. They had six children, Timothy, Terry, Thomas, Theresa, Tyler, and Tammie. This marriage was dissolved in 1966. Carl has lived on acreages most of his life, raising livestock and selling livestock feed.

   Carl married Doris Blake Larsen in Omaha. Four children were born of this marriage, Julie, JoDee, Pamela and Mark. They bought their home in Saunders County in July, 1970. Since then, they have planted many fruit trees, set out raspberry vines, and strawberry plants. They have a large garden and raise chickens, geese, turkeys, sheep, goats and beef for family use and fun. They also have about 50 hives of bees.

   Doris Ellen Blake was born August 12, 1932 at Meadville, Nebraska, fourth of six children born to John Clyde Blake and Alice Gertrude Haun. Grandparents are Hugh W. Blake and Ethel Overstreet and Harry Harper Haun and Cora Ellen Emry. Great-grandparents are William Blake and Esther Annette Quimby, Thomas Jordan Overstreet and Clemenza Margaret Branaman, John Haun and Margaret Jane Berryhill, and John Quincy Adams Emry and Eleanor Ellis. All were early settlers of Nebraska and most of them were farmers.

   Doris graduated from high school in Ainsworth, Nebraska in 1950 and married Charles Bradley Larsen in Winner, South Dakota on July 19, 1950. Three children, Jim, Larry and Patty were born of this marriage. Charles farmed and ranched with his father-in-law until 1953 when the family moved to Ainsworth. He was then employed by Hoak Construction Co. of Des Moines, Iowa, who built most of the REA lines bringing electricity to much of the rural area for the first time. The family moved to Blair, Nebraska in 1958 to be closer to Omaha where Charles had been under treatment for Hodgkins Disease. He died June 2, 1963 at Blair.

   Doris loves the outdoors, enjoys flowers and gardening, feeding baby animals, and sewing. She has enjoyed her positions in the church. Working with small children is her favorite.

   The Carl Layman family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where they are actively involved. Other information can be found in Who's Who in Nebr., 1976-77 Edition.

   Abraham Lees -- born July 13, 1828, Halifax, Yorkshire, England and Caroline (Smith) -- born March 9, 1835, Oldham, Lancashire, England were married May 14, 1857, Johnson Co., Iowa. Their children: Annie Scow, Margaret Lees, Sarah Lees, Charles, Peter, set of twins, John, Walter, Frank, Jennie Rood, Eva Haggard, Amy Lees.

Mrs. Caroline Smith Lees and Family. Back: Jennie, Eva, Margaret and Annie; Middle: Caroline; Front: Walter, John, and Frank

   Annie Scow's parents met in Pennsylvania when both worked in a textile mill. Later, they installed a plant along a river bank, where a dam had been built for water power, at Waubeck, Iowa, manufacturing wool blankets. The dam broke, causing the family to lose everything. About that time, the Free Homestead Act passed in Congress. Homeless people were land hungry. Her father set out afoot for Nebraska, mending watches enroute to pay expenses. Liking what he saw, he returned to Iowa for his family. After earning enough money to buy a wagon and team, they started out for the promised land. Crossing the Missouri on a ferryboat frightened her -- the current was so swift. They floated downstream to Plattsmouth, where they spent their first night in Nebraska. Mr. Lees was pleased to find the first place he had selected was still vacant. It was located a little east of the present town of Prague.

   A 12x14 sodhouse was built, which was warm in winter and cool in summer. A garden was planted and since the soil was so moist, mellow and fertile along the creek, they were amply rewarded for their efforts. They saw many antelope after arriving in Nebraska -- but no buffalo. Early each fall, Indians came begging for food and clothing.

   As soon as the newcomers found time, a sodhouse was built, which served as a school, church, band practice, etc. Because there were so many ducks on the creek nearby, her father called it Duck Creek, by which name it is still known.

   The fall after the Lees arrived, a group of Norwegians arrived at the Lees' home to get directions to places on which they had filed at Lincoln, without first looking at the land. One of the group could speak a little English, which he had learned while employed on a vessel harpooning seal and whales -- some of the crew members being Americans. His name was Christian Scow. Annie brought a bucket of water to quench the thirst of the visitors. This was the beginning of the romance which led to their marriage June 27, 1877. The officiating minister was Rev. Amlong, Presbyterian pastor at the new town of Wahoo. They had 9 children: Margaret Wessel, Oliver, Ivy Wolfe, Andrew, Frederick, Hattie Wolfe, Edward, Ellen Sutton and Louis. Submitted by Ina Mae Wolfe

   Abraham and Caroline Lees in 1870 left their weaving business in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and came by covered wagon with their three children: Annie, Margaret, and John to Prague, Nebraska where they settled on a homestead. It was here their son, Frank, was born in 1872.

   The family moved to a farm at the north edge of Wahoo and Frank helped with the farming until he was married December 30th to Fannie Verrell who

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