FAMILY STORIES

Then they returned to the home in Pennsylvania, reaching there August 2, 1870. (See Marietta Precinct section for Frank Sturdevant's account of the family's trip from Pennsylvania to Saunders County.) Submitted by James Sutton

   Edward and Frances Styskal were both born in Saunders County. Edward was born near Wahoo to Frank and Gustie (Brabec) Styskal. He had one brother and six sisters. Frances was born near Ceresco to Frank and Frances (Slama) Mastera. She had five brothers and three sisters. Edward attended school in the Ithaca and Wahoo schools and Frances, in Ceresco.

   Edward and Frances both worked. Then Edward rented a farm southwest of Wahoo. On June 30, 1941, he married Frances. They continued to live on the same farm and, later, purchased it. It is 120 acres in Stocking Precinct. They also rent additional acres.

   The first few years corn was picked by hand. We hired help to help us. A team of horses and a wagon were used so we had 2 teams and 2 wagons. The wheat and oats was cut with binders so it took 2 people. The grain had to be shocked and threshed. We always had at least 12 men to feed at those times.

   In 1946, we got electricity. What a blessing that was to have electric lights! We put the kerosene lamps into the closet.

   We are certified wheat growers for over 30 years. We also have a cow-and-calf herd operation. For over 40 years we have had a farrow-to-finish hog operation.

   We have nine children and ten grandchildren. The first is Katherine (Ernest) Bongers whose children are Jerry and Linda. Patricia (Delmar) Maly has a daughter, De Ann. Stanley and his wife, Teresa, have a son, Andrew. Theodore and his wife, Chris, have four children, Cheryl, Tracy, Micheal, and Lori. George and his wife, Mary, have a daughter, Stacy. Thomas and his wife, Shari, have a daughter, Ann Marie. Robert Marsico is married to our daughter, Cynthia. Lawrence and Loretta complete our family.

   Theodore joined the Navy and is a Chief Petty Officer. He was on the Kitty Hawk in the Indian Ocean during the Iranian Hostage ordeal in 1980-81. He has served 19 years. George spent 4 years in the Navy, serving one year in Vietnam. Cynthia spent 4 years in the Air Force.

   We are members of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Edward is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the N.F.O. Frances is a member of St Ludmilla's Guild, the Rosary Society, and the P.C.C.W. She is also active in mission work. Her hobbies are quiltmaking and pillow making. She also loves to bake. The family enjoys fishing, hunting, trapping, football, and basketball. Submitted by Frances Styskal

   John Styskal (Stejskal) was born on April 5, 1860 in Chotobudice, Moravia to Frantisek and Antonia Dolezal Styskal. When he was 15 years old, his parents sent him and his two sisters, Josie Svoboda and Frantiska Wotipka, to the United States. They all lived in Saunders County.

   Antonia Albert was the daughter of Simon and Mary Lisaka Albert. She was born on May 13, 1861 at Rimove, Moravia. In 1876, the Alberts, with their children, Mary, Frances, Antonia, and John, came to Saunders County and became farmers. Mary married John Koutny, Frances married Frank Machovec, Antonia married John Styskal, and John married Katherine Cech.

   John Styskal and Antonia Albert were married on Nov. 14, 1883 at the St. Wenceslaus Church, Wahoo. They were the parents of 14 children: Frank, Mary, Anastasia (Daisy), Charles, Amalia Rose, Anna, John, Mollie (Amalia), Ludmilla, Frances, Joe (Martin), Rose, Julia and Helen.

   (1). Frank (10-3-1884 to 5-6-1971) married Gusty Brabec. Their children were Frank Jr., Edward J., Stella Root, Tillie Koranda, Ann (Lander) Christopher, Rose Kubik, Valentine Meduna, and Mary Jane LeGrande.

   (2). Mary (10-13-1885 to 2-1969) married Anton Ruzicka. Their children were William, Clara Hatch, Ethel Fellows, and Joseph, all born at Miller, South Dakota. (3). Daisy (12-13-1886 to 10-22-1966) married Joseph Brabec. Their children were Frank, Joseph and Vennie, twins, Marie Johnson, and George.

   (4). Charles (1-1-1888 to 10-22-1964) married Antonia Hladik. Their children are Christina Matousek, Irene Egr, Charles J., Margaret Zuba, Georgianette Greer, and Betty Jane Huscher. (5). Amalia Rose, (4-4-1889) died at age 7. (6). Anna (6-24-1890 to 10-29-1977) married Anton Pacula. Their children are Lucille Cuda, William, Edward, and Deloris Pospisil.

   (7). John (1-5-1892 to 5-17-1978) married Barbara Knajdl. (See John Styskal story.) (8). Mollie (5-8-1893 to 9-25-1975) married John Pacula. They had three daughters, Ethel Noha, Irene Tinius, and Julia Vopalensky.

   (9). Ludmilla (11-2-1894 to 6-22-1978) married John Cajka. (See John Cajka.) (10). Frances married Joe Konecky. (See Dorothy Bogenreif story.)

   (11). Joseph (Martin) was born on Nov. 11, 1897 and died on August 24, 1969. (12). Rose (2-21-1900 to 4-8-1952) married Frank Janecek. (See Robert Janecek.) (13). Julia was born on Jan. 23, 1902. (See Julia Styskal.) (14). Helen was born on Oct. 13, 1904 and died in June, 1942.

   John and Antonia Styskal spent their entire lives farming near Wahoo. John died on Aug. 5, 1937 and Antonia died years earlier on Dec. 27, 1928.

   In 1982, a grandson of John's, Charles Styskal, went to Moravia to visit the birthplace of John in Chotobudice. While there, he discovered that John's brother was also the father of 14 children. He met a number of the descendants.

   John W. Styskal, a young farmer near Wahoo, Nebr., and Barbara Knajdl, a telephone switchboard operator of Prague, Nebr., were married Feb. 27, 1916. A daughter, Lucille, was born Dec. 12, 1916.

   In March, 1917, John and his family moved to Lincoln County in western Nebraska to a newly-purchased farm, five miles north of the village of Wellfleet.

   Two more daughters were born: Ovillin, Jan. 18, 1923 and Johanna, Nov. 27, 1926. The children attended the nearby rural school, named Bell Prairie.

   In 1929, John purchased an additional 150 acres of farmland just across the road from his land. Since 1929 was the year the depression started, he had many years of hard labor to pay for it.

   The family attended Catholic services in a hall above a grocery store in Wellfleet for many years. Each family purchased folding chairs for their use. In years to come, a brick church, named St. Williams, was built in Wellfleet.

   In 1943, John sold the farm to Mr. Wilhelmson and moved to Vancouver, Wash. Lucille and Ovillin were living in Portland, Oregon. John, Barbara, and Lucille worked in the shipyards, helping to build airplane carriers. Johanna finished her last year of high school in a Catholic Girls School in Portland. Lucille joined the U.S.C.G. Women's Reserve in 1944.

   After about 1½ years, John, Barbara, and Johanna moved back to Nebraska, purchasing a house on an acre of land outside of North Platte. John worked as a carpenter and, later, in a restaurant. After about 18 years, they moved into a home in North Platte. Barbara's health failed and she died in July, 1969.

   John lived alone until in May, 1970, when he had major surgery. On July 9, 1970, he went to live in Muskegon, Michigan with Johanna, after selling his house. But in November, 1970, he moved back to North Platte into an apartment, where he lived until he could no longer live alone. In May, 1976, his son-in-law, Milton, moved John back to Muskegon, Mich.

   John died in May, 1978. He is buried in North Platte, next to his wife. By Mrs. Eugene N. (Lucille) Wages

   Julia Styskal, born January 23, 1902 on a farm near Wahoo, was the 13th child of John and Antonia Albert Styskal's fourteen children. She was baptized at St. Wenceslaus Church and has been a member ever since. She attended Dist. 87, and when her parents moved to a farm one mile south of Wahoo, she attended St. Wenceslaus School. She graduated from Wahoo High School.

   Julia lived with her parents, her sister, Helen, and brother, Joe. She cared for her parents and her sister until their deaths.

   In 1945, Julia moved to Miller, South Dakota. While there, she lived with her sister, Mary Ruzicka, and worked at a grocery store. In 1953, she came back to Wahoo, where she has lived ever since.

   Julia spent many years as housekeeper for Bob and Margaret Lapour in Wahoo. She was the babysitter for numerous families in Wahoo, tending the children as carefully as if they had been her own.

   Julia is a member of the St. Wenceslaus Guild, the Rosary Society and the P.C.C.W., and still attends St. Wenceslaus Church.

   Julia is "Aunt Julia" to many nieces and nephews and to their children and grandchildren. She is the last link to their grandparents.

   John Sudik was born in 1920 and has always lived in the Wahoo area. He attended School Dist. No. 2 for 3 years until the family moved south of Wahoo in the early 1930's. There he attended school at Dist. 64 through the eighth grade. He completed his freshman and sophomore years at St. Wenceslaus High School, and the junior and senior years at Wahoo Public High, graduating in 1938.

John and Arlene Sudik Family

   John started farming with his father, John Sr., who passed away in 1979. John's mother was the former Mary Janecek. She died in 1963.

   Arlene was born in 1923 and lived near Colon, Nebr. as a child. She attended grade school at Dist. 26. After graduation from Wahoo Public High School in 1942, she attended Luther College at Wahoo. She then taught in rural schools in the Yutan and Ceresco areas. Her parents were Frank Holub and Josephine (Simanek) Holub.

   John and Arlene were married Dec. 27, 1945 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Colon. They lived on a farm south of Wahoo until 1973, and are now living in City View Acres a mile south of town. They belong to the St. Wenceslaus Church.

   John now is farming in partnership with his son, Terry, who lives on the home farm with his wife,

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Cheryl, and their four children, Steve, Nicki, Travis, and Tyler.

   John and Arlene's three daughters live in Lincoln, Nebr. Janice (Edstrom) and Judy are employed at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. Mary Beth is a dental assistant for a private dentist. Janice has a daughter, Sonja. By John and Arlene Sudik

   Arthur W. Swanson, son of Swan and Mary (Nilsson) Swanson, was born on a farm near Wahoo, Nebraska. His parents were born in Sweden and came to this country in 1885. Bernice Chilquist, daughter of Nils and Bengta (Peirson) Chilquist, was born near Wahoo, Nebraska. Her parents were born in Sweden and came to this country in 1881.

Arthur and Bernice Swanson, 50th Wedding Anniversary

   Arthur and Bernice were married in Omaha, Nebraska in 1922 and settled on a farm west of Malmo. They had two children, Kennard and Dale. Arthur lived on this farm five years prior to his marriage to Bernice; therefore, making a total of 55 years on this place.

   They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 20, 1977. Arthur passed away on December 29, 1981. Bernice remained on the farm until May 1982, and moved to Wahoo, where she is presently living.

   Joe Sudik Jr. of the Colon area was the Champion Cornpicker in 1926 and 1928. In 1928, he was the runner-up in the National Cornpicking Contest.

Joe Sudik, Jr. Champion Cornpicker 1926 and 1928, Runner-up in National in 1928. Left to Right: Wm. Sudik, Joe Sudik, Jr., Chas. Blatny, Joe Sudik, Sr.

   Mr. and Mrs. (Carrie Kunc) Joe Sudik Sr. and 6-month daughter, Mary, arrived in Wahoo, Nebraska, November, 1889 from Sedlec, Czechoslovakia, accompanied by Carrie's 16-year old brother, Joe.

   Mr. Sudik had served his required time in the army-the Austrian army. Since it was the service to a foreign government, he disliked his hitch immensely. Not wanting such a future for their upcoming family, they decided to emigrate to the United States. Carrie's brother was nearing draft age.

   Railroad companies launched vigorous campaigns to interest Europeans to venture to the United States. The Sudiks set sail from Hamburg. Mary (6 months) received free passage. Grandma Sudik had stripped feathers for two featherbeds and pillows. These were used enroute. They shared space in a common bedroom in the center of the ship above the steamroom, thus saving the cost of a cabin.

   Joe Kunc, interested in the meat-processing industry, for a time worked for the John Gross meat market at Wahoo. Later, he left for better opportunities in Omaha. He and his bride moved to Wilber. He became co-owner of a meat market which became well-known for its Wilber Wieners, retail and wholesale.

   Mr. Sudik worked at whatever jobs were available: the 1890's were depression years. Jobs were scarce. Among his employments were the railroad and farm jobs. Mrs. Sudik washed clothes and sewed for the well-to-do families.

   Seven children were born to the Sudiks -- Mary, John, Hettie, Joe Jr., Anna, Wm., and Georgia. Mary attended the Wahoo grade and high school, graduated in 1907, and taught school. In 1904, the family moved to a farm northwest of Wahoo. John attended grade school in Wahoo, and finished his elementary education in Dist. 70. John became a farmer. Hettie attended Dist. 70, graduating from Wahoo High in 1913. She, too, entered the teaching profession, having taught school until her untimely death in 1936. Joe Jr. attended Districts 70 and 2. He, too, became a farmer, and became widely known for his proficiency as a hand cornpicker. He was Nebraska state champion picker in 1926 and 1928, and runner-up in the national contest.

   Anna attended Dist. 70, St. Wenceslaus, and Wahoo High School, graduating in 1918, and taught school for 3 years.

   In 1908, the family moved northeast of Wahoo. Wm. attended St. Wenceslaus and Dist. 2. He also became a farmer -- horses were his hobby. Georgia attended St. Wenceslaus, Dist. 2, and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1927. She also taught school, music being her special interest.

   The four sisters taught in the rural and town schools of Saunders County. The sisters all came home for the Christmas holidays. Those were special days, everyone being home for the holidays, days never to be forgotten! Many social gatherings of neighbors and other friends filled the days of the Christmas holidays. Vacations were always too short!

   The winter activities were varied. Butchering, woodcutting, and shelling corn took a lot of time. For pleasure there was hunting, checkers, and card playing. The women did a lot of sewing, creative stitchery, and crocheting.

   In 1926, the Sudiks purchased a farm northwest of Colon. Carrie's family came in 1892. Grandpa Kunc purchased land 15 miles east of Beatrice.

   John married Mary Janecek. John Jr., Mary Ethel, and Agnes (Knuth) are their children. Anna married Joe A. Janecek. Georgiann (Thomison), Wilfred, Jovita (Baker), and Justine are their children. Wm. married Mary Kralik. Jim is their son.

   Joe Sr. passed away in 1933; wife Carrie in 1927; Hettie in 1936; Mary in 1946; Joe Jr. in 1974; Wm. in 1971; John in 1979; and Anna in 1981. Submitted by Georgia Sudik, last survivor of the family

The Joseph Sudik Sr. Family. Front Row, L. to R.: Joe Sr., Georgia, Anna, Carrie--Mrs. Sudik; Back Row: Hettie, Wm., John, Joe Jr. and Mary.

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