FAMILY STORIES

Catherine, Susan, Billy, Mike, Joseph, Jacob, Eliza Jane, Elizabeth, and Harrison. Sanner was the original surname of this family of German descent.

   Dick was married 25 June 1846 in Ohio to Mary Ann Wyant who was born 31 August 1825 in Maryland, daughter of Jacob Wyant. Their son, William Henry, was born 23 July 1847 near Dayton, Ohio. William had two younger sisters, Mary Jane and Hannah Elizabeth, who died young in Ohio. Dick followed his father and brothers with their families, to Lucas county, Iowa where he lived until coming to Nebraska.

   Dick and Mary Ann moved to Perkins county, Nebraska in 1890 where Dick sought relief from an asthmatic affliction. Their son, William, and his family moved there with them. Mary Ann died 5 July 1893. Dick went to live with his son, William H., until his death of old-age infirmities at the age of 91y 5m 26d on 23 October 1913. He was buried beside Mary Ann in the Fairview cemetery at Grant. Dick's brothers, Billy and Harry, and sister, Eliza Jane, survived him.

   William Henry, Dick's son, had filed on S-4, T-13, R-9 when he came with his folks to Saunders county. He was married there on 4 January 1880 to Clarica Anna Jones who was born 6 January 1852 in Williamsport, Indiana. She had come to Nebraska in 1869 with her parents, Nathan and Amanda (Warbritton) Jones. This union produced four children, all born in Saunders county: Julia, Charles H., Kathryn, and Olive.

   William, with his family, had followed his parents to Perkins county in 1890 where his wife, Clarica, died of pneumonia and was buried in Ashland, where they returned after the death of Grandpa Dick. Julia married John Smith who operated a lumber yard in Ashland for many years; Charles married Emma Wilson; and Kathryn and Olive married the Stednintz brothers, Carl and Otto. Surnames in this Sanders branch today include Proffitt, Eliot, Tucker, Bryant, Heffernan, Barker, Blackburn, many of whom still live in the Saunders county vicinity today. By Mary Anders

   Michael Henry Sanders was one of five brothers who came early to homestead in Saunders county, Nebraska Territory. He arrived in 1865 to settle on the N.W. qtr. of S-25, T-13, R-9, about 3 miles north of Ashland. His brothers, Billy and Jacob, had arrived in the fall of 1863. Harry came in 1867, and Dick in 1870.

Michael Henry Sanders, 1830-1878

   Michael was born 23 July 1830 in Somerset County, Penn. to Adam and Hannah (Laub) Sanders. This German family's name was originally Sanner. At the age of seven, "Mike" moved with his folks to Madison county, Ohio where he received his schooling and grew to manhood. He was in Chariton County, Iowa when he was married on 21 May 1837 to Lavinia Pleasant Plymate, born 9 Sept. 1837 in Crawford County, Penn. to Benonia and Polly Plymate. This union produced 7 boys and 1 girl. The first four were born in Iowa: Winfield, 1858, Frank, 1859, Eugene, 1863, and Amon, 1864; and the latter four in Saunders County: John, 1869, Stella, 1871, Ernest, 1873, and Bertie, 1875. John and Ernest died young and are buried in the Clear Creek cemetery near their farm home.

   Michael had an accident while driving a wagon load of logs. The wagon tipped over and one of the logs seared off his right ear. To conceal the loss, Mike wore his hair in a "Dutch Bob" effect on the sides and kept the top fairly long so that he could comb it straight back. He was tall and thin and with this 'different' hairdo, he must have been a distinctive apparition in the Ashland vicinity of Saunders county!

   Mike must have been accident prone for it was an accidental gunshot wound that ended his life on 9 October 1878. He was 48y 3m 14d and was buried in the family plot in the Clear Creek Cemetery beside his two young sons. Lavinia lived only a short time and died on 26 January 1880 of cancer and exhaustion and was laid to rest beside her husband. The orphaned children lived with different families until Frank was married in 1882 and became their guardian.

   Win, the oldest, had six children by two different wives and died in Kansas. Frank married and settled on a farm near Ashland where his two daughters, Cora and Clara, were born. By 1903, he was in Clarks, Nebraska where he ran a pool hall and grocery store. He lived to the ripe old age of 95 years and 22 days, and holds the distinction of being the longest-lived in this Sanders family for many generations. Gene married and died at age 34, leaving a widow with 5 small children. Amon married Alice Cadwell (See John Thomas Cadwell) and she died young, leaving him with 5 young children, Forrest, Fern, Jack, Harry, and Marie. Stella, the only daughter, married Cogel Beal and produced 7 children before her death in Iowa at age 50. Bert lived to be 70 years old and died in California, leaving no children.

   Gene's daughter, Mattie Coleman, still lives in Ashland at age 92. Many others of the Michael Henry Sanders family still live in Nebraska today. By Mary Anders

   Ronald Lee Sanders was born on August 21, 1946, to Clarence and Dora Sanders in Lincoln. He started kindergarten at Dist. #5, the same school his father had started in, over 30 years earlier. Ronald was there until 1957, when the family moved. He finished grade school at Dist. #16, three miles west of Memphis. In the fall of 1960, Ronald started at Mead High School. Two athletic letters, one scholastic letter, one term School Council, four years F.F.A., junior and senior class plays, several ribbons and awards later, saw the Class of 1964 graduate Ronald Lee Sanders as salutatorian.

Ronald L. and Rita F. Sanders, Kerry Car Michael -- Riannon Sanders

   Ronald got higher education at the College of Agriculture at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Studying Agricultural Education, he was a member of Alpha Tau Alpha, National Honorary Fraternity. He also worked part-time for the University at the Nebraska Center of Continuing Education, Adult Wing. Between the fall of 1964 and January, 1970, Ronald got some good grades and some bad grades, but graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education.

   He bought a house in Memphis in 1973, four blocks from his parents. Ronald served as Treasurer of the Village of Memphis from the summer of 1974 to Nov. 10, 1980. During this time the village installed a centralized water and sewer system. Ronald helped with the financial advising of those two important projects. April 8, 1974 saw him begin work for the City of Lincoln Water Department at the Ashland Treatment Plant. As a State of Nebraska, Department of Health certified Water Plant Operator, he treats the water supply for the City of Lincoln. A job he is still enjoying.

   In August, 1980, he met for the first time, Rita Faye Hanaway Carmichael, daughter of Dale and Maudie Hanaway of DeMotte, Indiana. She was born Mar. 7, 1954 in Indiana. Rita was at the time working with Ronald's sister, Jody Ann Nedley, at Lincoln. Rita's husband, Jack Carmichael, born Dec. 9, 1953, unfortunately died of an intracranial aneurysm on Dec. 23, 1973, leaving Rita and her young son, Kerry E. Carmichael (born Sept. 10, 1971) alone.

   On Sept. 12, 1981, Ronald Lee Sanders and Rita F. Hanaway Carmichael were married at the American Lutheran Church, Ashland. The house in Memphis was sold and a new home for the new Sanders family was bought at 1842 Dawes St., Ashland. Unto this marriage, the good Lord has granted a daughter, Riannon Amanda Sanders.

   "I, Riannon Amanda Sanders (fifth generation), was born at 6:30 A.M. on March 8, 1982 to Ronald and Rita Sanders at the "new" St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, Nebr. Mom was disappointed that I just missed her birthday by only several hours. I really don't have much of a history myself at this time since I am only about one year old; for now, learning to walk better and adding more words (at 10 months -- see, up, dada, and Momma are about it) will have to do. Check back with me around 2003." By Rita Sanders

   William Alexander Sanders was born on Nov. 30, 1826, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania to Adam and Hannah Sanders. William married Leah Byerly in Ohio on Mar. 27, 1851. Leah died on Dec. 24, 1886; but not before bearing ten children. William and Leah moved from Ohio to Lucas County, Iowa in 1855. Then, in the fall of 1863, they came to Saunders County. William settled on the old Sanders Homestead (160 acres granted from Uncle Sam) about 5 miles northwest of Ashland, which was then

William Alexander Sanders

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known as "Saline Ford", and had about five buildings constituting the town. William was a tiller of the soil and, through his life, increased his land holdings upwards to over 1200 acres.

   "Uncle Billy Sanders", as he was called by one and all, took an active interest in the politics of the state. In the election of Nov. 4, 1890, although a Democrat, he was elected Senator of the Fifth District on the fusion (Independent) ticket. Then, in the election of Nov. 8, 1892, he was re-elected senator, Fifth District.

   The ten children of William and Leah Sanders were: Jacob, George, David, Samuel, Susannah, Martha, Milo, Arlando, Pharis, and Nova. William died on April 19, 1915. The Ashland Gazette of April 22, 1915 said, "As a mark of the high esteem in which Mr. Sanders was held, and to give all an opportunity to attend the funeral, the business houses were closed from 2:30 to 4:00."

   Nova Zembla Sanders was born July 12, 1873. Nova, like his father, was a farmer at heart and spent his entire life tilling the soil of the Sanders homestead in Clear Creek Precinct, with only a brief absence to Colorado for health reasons. Nova assisted the Clerk of Saunders County in the position of Deputy Clerk, off and on during 1893. Nova attended the Lincoln Business College and graduated on May 1, 1894 as an accountant.

   On the evening of August 27, 1895, in the home of B.F. Fletcher of Clear Creek Precinct, Nova Z. Sanders married Cora Lucetta Fletcher. "Uncle Billy Sanders" managed to dislocate his shoulder the evening of the wedding; but one week later he hosted an evening of food and fun for the newlyweds. An Ashland Gazette reporter told of it in the Sept. 6, 1895 edition: "Your reporter left about 11:30 P.M., but saw no signs of breaking up of the company at that time." To this marriage was born one son, William Otto Sanders, on Oct. 7, 1896. Otto (as he was known) died February 22, 1954. Unfortunately, Cora L. Sanders died on Sept. 25, 1900.

   Nova, on August 9, 1905, married Louisa Robinson of Ashland at Lincoln. Louisa was born in Sparta, Tennessee on July 16, 1886. To this marriage God granted six children. Nova was a member of the Midland Christ Church which was less than one-half mile from the homestead. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

   Louisa contracted influenza which developed into pneumonia and caused her death on Oct. 29, 1918. The six children she left behind were: Myrtle, Harry, Harvey, Clarence, Charles, and Lucille. Nova never remarried and chose to raise the family by himself.

   Nova suffered a stroke and died on April 10, 1942 on the old Sanders Homestead. The Ashland Gazette spoke of him thusly: "Mr. Sanders was a very faithful father, having had charge of the home since his wife died. He was a good neighbor and a true friend, being loved and respected by all who knew him."

   Born to Nova and Louisa Sanders on Jan. 30, 1912 was a son, Clarence Chester Sanders. (See Clarence Chester Sanders.)

   Louis Sanderson is a farmer, residing on Section 36, South Cedar Township. He represents a family that was established in colonial days, siding in the fight for independence from England. His grandparents, William and Philanda Sanderson, homesteaded in Saunders County.

   Louis was born to Marion and Lucy Sanderson on June 19, 1919 on a farm he now owns. He has three brothers, Dewain (deceased); Harold, Colon; Robert, Wahoo; two sisters, Edna Mae, Fremont; and Velma (deceased). They spent their childhood years on the family farm.

   Louis attended grade school, District 65, and graduated from Fremont High School. He served almost four years in the Army Air Force during World War II as a flight engineer.

   He married Helen Schrock at Hamilton Air Force Base, California in July, 1943. They returned to Nebraska to the farm after he was discharged. They have three children: Dewain (Joe), John, and Luann. They all graduated from Fremont High School. Louis and his sons, Dewain and John, farm together and have become well-known citizens of the county.

Louis and Helen Sanderson -- Grandchildren

   Dewain (Joe) married Wanda Leighton in 1964, and lives on a farm in Section 14. They have two children, Tamara and Dan, who are well-known in the county for showing sheep, cattle and horses. They also participate in many sports. Dewain is also an auctioneer.

   John, a VietNam War veteran, married Kathleen (Kae) Noha in 1968, and lives on a farm in Section 36. They have four children; Stacie, Jill, Dawn and Brian. Stacie and Jill also are active in 4-H, showing sheep, horses and homemaking. Dawn will begin 4-H next year. They too are interested in many sports. John has carpentry as his second vocation.

   Luann married Roger Andersen in 1972. They live in Crescent, Iowa and have two children, Jessica and Gregory. Roger is employed at Midtown Methodist as a counselor and tutor to teenagers being treated for drugs and alcoholism. Luann is in charge of the Medical Staff Office at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

   Louis and Helen belong to the Presbyterian church in Fremont. Louis is a charter member of the American Legion Post 265, Colon and helped with the planning and building of the Legion Hall in Colon. He is a member of 40/8, Voiture 1018. He organized, and has been a leader of a 4-H tractor club for twenty-five years.

   Louis and his sons own land in Saunders County. He hopes they will always maintain the Sanderson farming tradition of their forefathers. By Mrs. Louis Sanderson

   In 1960, Bill and Ray Sapp were selling insurance for Prudential, and Lee and Dean were selling Snow Crop frozen foods out of Omaha.

   At the suggestion of a neighbor of Lee, Jess Caraway, who was in the Sales Department of a local Ford District, Lee decided to try his hand at selling cars, and talked his three brothers into joining the plan.

   The four brothers first looked at, and gave consideration to, an 80-acre site at Hwy. 31 and I-80 south of Gretna. They wound up buying Andrews Ford Sales in Ashland and changed the name to Sapp Bros. Ford Sales, Inc. in June, 1960.

   In 1967, they sold the Ashland agency and bought a similar agency in Blair, naming it the Sapp Bros. Ford Center, Inc. Also, they had purchased a GMC dealership in 1965 at 11th and Pierce, Omaha and sold it in 1972.

   They got their second look at I-80 frontage in 1967 when Wally Sump called and wondered if they'd be interested in 42 acres he owned at Hwy. 50. They bought the land, but waited two years to build while they travelled the country looking at other truck stops. One trip even took them to El Paso, Texas, where incidentally, the Sun Bowl happened to be scheduled.

   (Great Nebraska football fans, the four brothers and their wives have eight season tickets on the 50 yard line in Husker stadium, red and white cars, and red and white golf carts.)

   "Strange as it seems," said Ray, "there is not a set design for a truck plaza." Every one was different, and had good and bad points. Naturally, the Sapps copied the good, and added their own ideas. It took a full year to build the restaurant, service station, gas islands, fuel dump and the "coffee pot."

   Now a landmark at the Sapp plazas, the coffee pot water towers are more than conversation pieces, although they caused some of that too, due to the state frowning on "Sapp Bros" being painted on them.

   The tower in S.I.D. 48, Sarpy County, is 119 feet high and holds 100,000 gallons of water pumped from a 367 foot well. The overhead storage tank stands as a safety sentry, providing water in case of a fire, to all the structures on the north side of I-80 and even a line under the interstate to protect the dozen or so firms in Prairie Corners industrial park to the south.

   The Prairie Corners S.I.D. (52) has its own wells, as does S.I.D. (51) west of Sapps, for normal daily uses, but reverse valves in the lines to both sanitary districts, add protection (and, of course, lower insurance rates.)

   In 1975, the Highway Chapel was conceived and built in memory of the parents, Hurless Sapp, who died in 1975 and Emily Hubka Sapp, who died in 1971. Located upstairs over DBR Leasing, the tiny church seats 70 persons for services every Sunday 8-8:30 a.m. Reverend Ron Meiers, Omaha, conducts the service and presides at an occasional wedding or christening. The chapel is available 24 hours a day to the itinerant trucker for a moment of prayer or meditation. The Sapp Bros. have long held a membership in the Association of Christian Truckers, whose motto is "Truckers Caring for Truckers." No alcohol is served, or available on the premises.

   The Blair agency was sold in 1976 and the brothers bought out Griffin Ford of Millard and moved the dealership to the present location the following year. Under Dean's expert management, the agency has ranked near the top in Ford truck sales in the region for the past six years.

   Meanwhile, Lee and his son Lee Alan repurchased the Ashland dealership which the brothers sold in 1967, and following in the Sapp tradition, Lee Alan has brought Lee's Ford to the number 9 position in Ford's Midwest District. Lee is also active in a number of enterprises outside the plaza. He formed the Ashland State Bank, Lee Sapp Leasing and Lee Sapp Insurance, and in 1979, Lee, Clarence Werner and Harlan Nelson formed a partnership, SWN Investments, to purchase 26 acres of land adjacent to Sapp Bros. Truck Plaza, and developed the land for commercial purposes, bringing into the area Pre-Engineered Building Services, Metro Movers, LaVan Conversions and Universal Neon Sign Co. In 1981, Lee also built a new rental office building 2 blocks West of the Sapp Bros. Coffee Pot, which houses his Leasing and Insurance Companies as well as Guardian Life Insurance and Metro Electric. In 1982, Lee was also instrumental in bringing the new Trailridge Ski Area into Sarpy County, which has proved to be a very successful venture.

   In 1968, the brothers formed a land holding company -- "B-4 Corners" and bought another 165 acres contiguous to the first purchase. The federal government condemned 105 acres of this land in 1975 for dam site 20. Two lagoons, which held the affluent from all Sapp area establishments, are in the way of the flood reservoir which is now filling, and will be moved to a higher location by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

   Although excess land has been sold off to Ditch Witch, Ben Franklin Motel, the Red Barn Opry, Mel Knutze and R-D Upholstery, there remains about 55 acres for future expansion and further industrial sales.

   Like so many other developments in Sarpy County, the Sapp Truck Plaza used the S.I.D. device for the original financing mechanism. Dean is chairman of S.I.D., Ray is Clerk and all brothers are directors, along with George Hendricks, president of Ditch Witch, Larry Clark, manager of Ben

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Franklin Motel and Virgil Anderson, owner of Red Barn Opry.

Lee, Bill, Dean and Ray Sapp. Parents in picture, Emma and Hurless Sapp

   The Sapp Truck Plaza and complex has been a big tax and job generator for Sarpy County. Over $60,000 is paid annually by establishments owned or operated by the Sapps in real property taxes, plus a hefty $70,000 (minimum) per month on state and federal gas taxes charged on 500,000 gallons of fuel sold.

   The Sapps together employ 140 persons, while another estimated 360 work in business and industry drawn to the area by the original Sapp installations and traffic generation.

   "What we've got here is a small city," said Ray Sapp, proudly. "There are complete utilities, a restaurant, laundromat, clothing store, car wash, general store, motel, service station, radiator shop, public scales, car and truck dealership and a church."

   The concept, which has been successful for the brothers, is working well in other locations. Sapp Truck Plazas are flourishing in Council Bluffs, Ia., Fremont, Nebr., Julesburg, Colo., and the newest under construction in Cheyenne, Wyo.

   Although the brothers appear to have been at the right place at the right time, friends are quick to point out that it's not a quadruple Horatio Alger story. Hard work, long hours, dedication and a burning desire to succeed has propelled the four from their youthful days on a tenant farm in Southeastern Nebraska, to the position of one of the top truck servicing corporations in the nation.

   Ray, now 56, Lee 54, Dean 53 and Bill 51, have reached the point where many would sit back and rest on the oars -- and just drink coffee. With the Sapps though, who have lived through good times and bad times, the idea is not just to drink coffee -- but "perk" it -- in Sapp "coffee pots" from east to west!

   William D. and Lucille M. Sapp came to Ashland in 1960. We moved here along with our three little daughters from Lincoln, Nebraska. Two weeks later, our fourth daughter was born. Their names are Suzanne, Nancy, Mary and Cindy.

   Bill and his three brothers had purchased the Ford dealership from the Andrews. The new company was named Sapp Bros. Ford Sales, Inc. The Ray Sapp family and our family moved here to manage the dealership.

   In 1966, the Ray Sapp family moved to Blair to join their brother, Dean, in a Ford dealership there. Also in 1966, the Ashland agency was sold to Ficken and Grebe. Bill went to Omaha to manage Sapp Bros. GMC. In 1971, Sapp Bros. Truck Plaza on I-80 and Hwy. 50 was built. Sapp Bros. Petroleum was formed in 1980.

Bill and Lucille Sapp

   Throughout all the changes and moves of businesses, we decided to remain living in Ashland, as we found this small town a very suitable place to raise our family. Since then, we've started two other small businesses here in town: the Country Denim Clothing Store and Ashland Storage.

   Bill was instrumental in the organizing of the Ashland Community Men's Prayer breakfast. They meet the first Sunday of each month. He also was fund-raising chairman for the Ashland Care Clinic, which resulted in a fine facility for our doctors and dentists. The basement has been named Spargen Hall and is being used as a community center. We've been active members of the American Lutheran Church and several other organizations.

   The girls are all grown and are graduates of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Three are married -- all to fellows from Saunders County. Suzanne, to Wayne Richard (daughter, Abigail): Nancy, to Dan Edwards, and Mary to Kevin Ziegenbein. Cindy will graduate from UNL in December, 1982.

   Our parents and grandparents on both sides were basically Nebraskans, and all farmers. Bill's father, Hurless Sapp, came to Nebraska and farmed in Pawnee and Gage counties. His grandfather lived in Quincy, Illinois. His mother, Emily Hubka, was born in Gage County to Joseph and Anna Hubka, who came to Nebraska from Czechoslovakia at age 16.

   My father, Harry Johnson, was born in Deuel County to Swan and Augusta Johnson, who homesteaded there from Smaland, Sweden. My mother's family also came from Sweden and settled in Kansas.

   We have had the good fortune to be able to travel quite a lot, and lived in France for nearly two years while Bill was in the army. Through our travels, we realize how thankful we are to be citizens of the United States. Here our freedoms and opportunities are great. We're also happy and content to be Nebraskans and to have our home in Saunders County. Submitted by Lucille M. Sapp

   We are the Sapps, Lee Alan and Suzanne. Neither one of us is originally from Saunders County, but we have made Ashland our home. On April 13, 1982, we broke ground for a new home in Woodland Hills just outside of Ashland. On June 29, 1982, we moved in and that is where we presently reside.

Lee and Suzanne Sapp

   Lee Alan Sapp was born February 6, 1957 in Topeka, Kansas to Lee H. and Helene Sapp. After living in Kansas City, Kansas, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska where Lee's folks still live. Lee has one sister who is younger than he, and she has hopes of becoming a doctor. In 1975, Lee graduated from Burke High School, Omaha, and the following fall, he began college at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During Lee's senior year of college, Lee and his father bought a Ford dealership in Ashland, which is now known as Lee's Ford. After the purchase of the dealership, in May, 1978, Lee moved to Ashland and has lived there ever since.

   Suzanne Gemar was born Nov. 29, 1958 in Henderson, Nebraska to Max and Val Gemar. Suzanne lived on a farm just outside of Sutton with her folks and three older brothers. After graduating from Sutton High School in 1977, she went to college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she majored in Physical Education. In 1981, Suzanne graduated from UNL with a teaching degree. Two weeks later, Suzanne and Lee Alan were married on May 23, 1981. Their first home was a duplex in Ashland.

   Both of us share the same interests. We're avid "Big Red" football and basketball fans and also like participating in sports ourselves. Among our favorites are volleyball, snow and water skiing and racquetball. To keep in shape for participation in these sports, we enjoy jogging with our two dogs, Kadie and Kawliga.

   The Sapps are now going to say "So long" but in our own special way. We hope that someday our paths cross with yours. But whether they do or don't, we pray that WE SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

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