FAMILY STORIES

Church, Smolan, Kansas, from 1946-1954. Our mother died in 1953.

   I graduated from high school in Lindsborg, Kansas. My father took early retirement in 1954 and lived with my sister, Winifred, and me in Salina, Kansas. Later, we moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where I joined the United States Marine Corps. I was on active duty from April 29, 1957 to July 22, 1960.

   My father died in 1972. My mother and father are both buried in Union Cemetery, north of Malmo.

   At present I am a truck owner-operator, leased to Morgan Drive-Away, Elkhart, Indiana. I have been with this company since November, 1962.

   My home base is Lincoln, Nebraska. I am a member of First Lutheran Church, 1551 South 70th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Submitted by Paul N. Thoren

   In 1869, my grandfather, Martin Thorson, came to Omaha from Horby, Sweden. His first employment was on a ferryboat, after which he made his way to Medicine Bow on the Union Pacific Railroad where he worked for three months on the section. Later on, he worked on timber in Colorado where they made railroad ties but received no pay. He then secured a job at a small sawmill.

Mr. and Mrs. Anton E. Thorson, 40th Wedding Anniversary

   In March of 1869, he walked from Omaha and secured a homestead of 80 acres in Marietta Precinct which still remains in the family. They purchased a team in Omaha, also a little shack, and brought them to their claim. The land was converted from a tract of prairie to rich cultivated fields. In 1873, he purchased 80 acres of railroad land at a price of $10 per acre and continued to add to his acreage.

   In 1874, Grandpa was united in marriage to Augusta F. Johnson who was born in Alsheda, Sweden. Two sons, two daughters, and one set of twins, Anton and Arthur, were born.

   Anton, my father, was united in marriage to Anna Erickson who lived about 5 miles south of Mead. Her parents were Nels and Bothilda Erickson. This union was blessed with 3 sons, Milton, Wallace, William, and one daughter, Alberta. We received our education at Dist. 66, a ten-grade school located one mile east of our home. The last two years were completed in Mead.

   Milton and his wife, Myrtle, lived on the home place until he was summoned to his heavenly home Nov., 1973. Myrtle is a resident of Fremont, and her daughter, Carol Ann, lives in Omaha. She has two daughters.

   Wallace and Vendela lived a mile south of the home place. They have 3 sons: Dr. Norman, a law teacher at the University of Nebraska; Dr. Alan, studying to be a surgeon; and Wayne, who lives on his parents' home place. They are involved in the Todd Valley Sod Co. Wallace and Vendela also have 3 grandsons.

   William, a resident of Pleasanton, California, works with electrical equipment. They have two sons, a daughter, and two grandchildren.

   I, Alberta, am married to Edwin Finke, formerly of Hebron, Nebr. In 1953, a tornado swept through our farm destroying some of the buildings, but our home was spared. Some of the buildings were repaired. Since Ed always had a desire to own land in Saunders County, my family kept a watchful eye. We finally purchased the Louis Rasmussen eighty, west of the Marietta Baptist Church. In 1970, we purchased a home in Fremont where we are retired. Ed belongs to the Golden K. Kiwanis Club and Senior Citizens Bowling League. I belong to the Fremont China Painters. We are also active in church activities. Submitted by Mrs. Edwin Finke

   Milton Thorson was born at Mead, Nebraska in May, 1910, the eldest son of Anton and Anna (Erickson) Thorson. He attended school at Saunders County Dist. #66 and was graduated from Mead High School in 1928. As a youth he was active in 4-H work and received various honors.

   Milton farmed north of Mead until his death November 15, 1973. A livestock breeder and feeder, he had an Angus cow herd, farrowed and fed market hogs. He was the Pioneer Seed representative in the area for 38 years. In 1969, he received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm award from the Knights of Aksarben, recognizing families who have owned the same land for 100 years.

   Milton and his family were members of Alma Lutheran Church in Mead. He served on the church council for many years and was chairman of the centennial anniversary committee in 1970. Through the years he was a member of the Saunders County Farm Bureau and a charter member of the Saunders County Feeders Association. He affiliated with various educational seminars as they were available and obtained a real estate license. He traveled extensively in the United States and enjoyed the many friends he made as a result of his wide-ranging activities.

   Milton married Myrtle Meyer of Columbus, Nebraska in January, 1948. She had attended Columbus Immanuel Lutheran Grade School and was graduated from Columbus Senior High School. Her advanced education was from Wayne State Teachers College and the University of Nebraska. She taught a number of years and was Ass't Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Production Credit Association. In the Mead community she was active in the Marietta Extension Club, a member of the Saunders County Extension Council, serving as secretary, the Mead PTA, a 4-H leader, the Mead Golden Rod service and social club. She was a member of Alma Lutheran Church Women, serving in various executive positions, served on the church council as secretary. After Milton's death she continued as the Pioneer seed representative until 1979.

   Milton and Myrtle have one daughter, Carol Ann. She attended Mead Elementary School and Fremont Senior High School where she graduated summa cum laude. She was a math major at the University of Nebraska, and upon graduation, was employed as a bank market analyst in Omaha. In 1973, she was married to Roger Lewis of Fremont, Nebraska. He was graduated from Midland Lutheran College summa cum laude. He has been business editor of the Omaha World-Herald, and more recently, communications director of Omaha National Bank. Roger and Carol Ann have two daughters, Carrie and Katie. Since the birth of the children, Carol Ann has worked as a private tutor and as a home-bound instructor for Westside Community School. The family is active at Lutheran Church of the Master, Omaha, and are members of several civic and social groups. By Myrtle Thorson

   Wayne was born in Wahoo and grew up in the Mead community in the home we now live in, which is 3/4 mile east of Mead on Hiway 92. His parents are Vendela and E. Wallace Thorson of rural Mead. Wayne was into farming since he was born and farmed with his brothers and father while growing up. Norman, his oldest brother, is married to Toni (Giglio) and they have one son, John, and live in Lincoln. The middle brother is Alan who is married to Nancy (Maricle) and they reside in Omaha.

   Wayne attended schools in Mead and then graduated in 1973. He chose farming as his career, which took a bit of a turn when the sod farming business was entered in 1973.

   I grew up on a farm south of Dodge, Nebr. My parents are Janet and Paul Meyer of rural Dodge who are still in farming today. My two brothers also live near Dodge. My oldest brother, Tim, is married to Patty (Pieper) and they have 2 children, Jason and Katie. Ted is my youngest brother who farms with my parents.

   The schools I attended were in Dodge where I graduated in 1974. Nursing was my chosen career field for the time being and I attended Methodist School of Nursing in Omaha. Graduation was in June, 1977 and my employment as a Registered Nurse started at Methodist in July, 1977 where I continue to work now on a part-time basis.

   Wayne and I met in Omaha while I was in school. We were married May 20, 1978 and started our farming business together. We now have two sons; Nicholas, who was born December 17, 1979, and Paul, who was born January 4, 1982. By Mrs. Wayne Thorson

   In 1869, Russell's grandfather, Martin Erickson, at the age of twenty-two, came to America from Yortarod, Sweden. He worked on the railroad in Lincoln for a year before homesteading eighty acres of land located two miles west of Swedeburg. Russell's grandmother, Betsey Deidrick, left Osterlof, Sweden with her parents in 1867 and they located in Red Wing, Minnesota. Russell's grandparents had known each other in Sweden. Later, Betsey Deidrick came to Lincoln to do housework and they were married in 1872. Russell's mother, Lena Erickson, was one of nine children, two boys and seven girls.

Russell and Ruth Thorston, January 23, 1977

   Russell's father, John Thurston, came to America from Matteroid, Krist, Sweden at the age of twenty-one years. He farmed near Valparaiso and practiced contour farming because of the steep hills in that area, this probably a forerunner of our conservation farming today. During the winter months, he went to Minnesota and worked in a saw mill to make some extra money.

   In 1904, Russell's parents were married and moved to a farm southeast of Ceresco. In 1907, they moved to the farm owned by Russell's grandparents. The grandparents had moved to a farm one-half mile south of Wahoo which they had purchased.

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   In 1916, Russell's parents purchased the 160 acres from his grandparents and lived here the rest of their lives.

   Russell was born and has lived all of his life on this farm. He started farming at age seventeen.

   Ruth Johnson of Danish descent had lived on a farm all of her life near Hamburg, Iowa. After graduation from Peru State Teachers College, Ruth taught school and did secretarial work before she was married.

   We were active members of The United Methodist Church in Wahoo. Annette and John were active 4-H Club members and Ruth and Russell were 4-H Club leaders. Annette graduated from Business School in Lincoln and is employed as a Word Processor in an insurance firm in Lincoln. John graduated from the University of Nebraska and is ass't. vice-president of a bank in Clearwater. John and Cindy have three children, Jennifer three and one half years old and twins, Matthew and Mark who are one and one-half years old. We get lots of enjoyment from our grandchildren when they come to the farm for a visit.

   On this farm we have a retention dam which was one of the dams in the pilot project of the Swedeburg watershed. This was constructed in 1954. Prior to this time, the farm was all terraced and has been farmed with good conservation practices. Russell enjoys feeding and raising cattle and this makes an ideal surrounding for the pasture in which the cattle graze.

   After forty-eight years of farming, Russell is retired. We continue to live on our 160-acre farm which has been in Russell's family for more than one hundred years. Submitted by Ruth Thorston

   My family history in this county goes back many years. In this country most of my family's occupations dealt in farming. As far as I know all my family have been Catholics.

Eugene and Peggy Tomsicek

   My mother's grandparents, Jilji and Margurite Rezac came to this country from the Czech area of Europe. They brought with them their young son, Frank Rezac, Sr. Frank grew to manhood in Saunders County and married Antonie Virgl.

   Antonie's parents, Vaclav and Josephine (Koutny) Virgl, were well-to-do landowners in Saunders County. They immigrated to the United States from Moravia, Bohemia in 1877.

   My father's grandparents, Joseph and Marie (Novacek) Tomsicek, also grew up and married in the Czech area of Europe. While living there, they had five children. Marie died giving birth to my grandfather, Jacob Tomsicek, July 23, 1873. Joseph remarried a Rezac; her name is unknown. This marriage was considered beneath his station in life. In the "old country" he was considered a master executive secretarial writer. He and his second wife (to escape the class system at home) came to the United States. They brought his five children with them, settled in Saunders County near Weston, and added three more children to their family.

   My grandfather, Jacob married Victoria Zahourek, daughter of Jan and Victoria (Rezac) Zahourek. Jacob and Victoria's first home was a soddy 3½ miles SW of Weston. This home was later enlarged with lumber. While living in the sod home, three children were born to Jacob and Victoria: Emil, Jacob (my father), and Lillian. The family then moved to their new home near the Czech Presbyterian Church near Weston. The children attended District 44 school. They later moved 1 mile east of Weston.

   Being Catholic, their parents decided to send them to St. Wenceslaus School in Wahoo. Grandfather rented a house in Wahoo and entrusted the children to the care of his unmarried sister, Antonie Tomsicek. Antonie was a dressmaker. Due to an epidemic of scarlet fever, their school term was shortened. Their mother had them returned home to the farm where she thought it to be safer. Grandmother died of cancer during the depression. Grandfather followed, due to a series of strokes in 1946.

   My father, Jacob, married Mary Helen Rezac, the daughter of Frank and Antonie (Virgl) Rezac. They had one child, myself, March 14, 1932.

   As a depression child my early memories cover the "doing without" and "making do" times of a thrifty farm family. Despite their saving abilities, the land inherited from both their families was sold during the depression. I still follow the "Waste not, want not" policy taught me by my parents.

   My first home was on the farm previously owned by my grandfather, Jacob, near the Czech Presbyterian Church by Weston. I attended District 44 School, and later graduated from Wahoo High School. (This was before Neumann was built.) I farmed with my father until his health began to fail him in the late 1960's. In 1950 we moved to a farm NW of Wahoo. I later purchased this farm from the Emma Koranda Estate.

   My father passed away in 1972. I continued to care for Mother until 1977, when she moved to the Saunders County Care Center in Wahoo. She passed away March, 1982, at the age of 84.

   In 1978, I met and married Peggy. Her parents were Robert O. McMurray and Joan (Carpenter) McMurray, of Red Oak, Iowa.

   We have two children from her previous marriage, Shannon, age 8 and Dale, age 6. We've added two more lambs to the fold, Jan Kärel, age 2, and Joni Marie, age 1. This year, 1982, we've also taken into our hearts an honorary daughter. Monica (Buzzy) Nelson began as a babysitter for us this past spring but has taken root in our hearts. She and her family are from Malmo, Nebraska. By Eugene Tomsicek

   Jacob Tomsicek was born in Moravia July 23, 1873 at which time his mother died. Jacob's father, Joseph, remarried. His step-mother was Barbara Rezac. His folks moved to America between 1876 and 1878. His father built a frame house upon arrival to this country and Jacob lived there until he was old enough to "hire-out" for work. He then worked until he could buy his own land.

   He married Victoria Zahourek and their first home was a soddy, 3½ miles southwest of Weston, just east of where Paul Cejka now lives. This home was later enlarged with lumber. While living here, three of their children were born: Jacob, 1897; Emil, 1899; and Lillian, 1902. The stay in the soddy was short. The family moved to a new home near the Czech Presbyterian Church by Weston. While living here their family increased with the births of Rose, 1905; Marie, 1910; and William, 1914.

   Jacob and his wife decided the children needed a Catholic School education as in those days it was the only place their religion was taught. As a result, Jacob rented a house in Wahoo, and delivering the children in the care of his maiden sister, Antonie (then a dressmaker in Weston), they attended part of a term there. The school term was abruptly ended with an outbreak of scarlet fever. The children were brought home to the farm where it was believed to be safer. They all attended Dist. 44 school, living the farthest from it of any of the students then attending, until they moved again.

   Jacob was a resourceful and successful farmer and hog raiser. While he kept a few calves, his main concern was his hogs. He also loved planting trees, his orchard boasting at one time of 40 cherry trees. He raised large vegetable gardens, keeping his family busy preserving food. He made all the wooden handles for his tools by carving them from trees limbs. Many other things were carved as well.

   In 1917, Jacob decided to move closer to Weston. Here it would be closer for the children to attend school and there was also a high school to be attended. This home was southeast across the road from St. John's Cemetery. Here was where his largest orchard was planted as the whole road-corner was planted in fruit trees (mostly cherries). Here, also, was where his youngest son, Edward, 1917 was born.

   When Edward was 13, during the depression in 1930, his mother, Victoria, died of cancer. The depression and her death split the family as each went his own way to support himself. Edward stayed with his father.

   Jacob lost his land during the depression and he and Ed moved to a rented farm approximately four miles south of Weston. With Ed's marriage in 1938, Jacob moved into Weston in a house he'd bought. After a series of strokes, Jacob passed away in the home of daughter, Rose Pop, April 17, 1946. By Peg Tomsicek

   Joseph was born in Moravia Sept. 15, 1832. He married Maria Novacek, born Aug. 17, 1839. To this union were born five children, Antonia, Maria, Franz, Frantizka and Jacob. Maria died in childbirth with Jacob, July 23, 1873.

   Joseph remarried Barbara Rezac. They had one child in Moravia, Anastazie (Stella), Aug. 19, 1876.

   The major reason Joseph decided to come to America was the class system of Europe. In his own country he was of the higher class, his occupation being a master secretarial writer. When he married Barbara, it was considered to be a marriage below his station and, due to the pressures of this, he and Barbara and the children sailed to America, land of opportunity.

   Following the tide of Czech immigration, he and his family settled in Saunders County. Laddie Tomsicek now lives on the original homestead 1½ miles southeast of Plasi.

   Being a man of some means he was able to erect a frame home, and here two more children, Caroline, July 3, 1878, and Joseph Jr., May 24, 1881, were born.

   Once in this country his sole occupation was farming. This has been carried down the line until this date, as most of the Tomsiceks are in agriculture. Many still live here in Saunders County.

   Joseph passed away Nov. 3, 1909, and Barbara followed in September of 1923. He was one of the early Czechs in Nebraska. By Peg Tomsicek

   Laddie and Regina Tomsicek were both born in Saunders County. They were married on November 14, 1949 and have lived on the same farm south of Prague since that time. This farm had been called "Apple Orchard Farm" in the early years and has been in the Tomsicek Family for over 100 years.

   Laddie was born on this farm on June 15, 1924. He is the son of the late Joseph and Hedvika Tomsicek. He attended school at District 83. He has been farming all of his life. Laddie has one brother, Joseph. They both are members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Wahoo.

   Regina was born on April 11, 1928. She is the daughter of Frank (deceased) and Victoria Furasek. Victoria, 90, was born in Hornie Becva, Czechoslovakia and came to America in 1907. Regina has one sister, Lillian and a brother, Frankie. She attended school at District 74.

   The present farming operation consists of raising cattle and growing crops which include corn, beans, wheat, oats and alfalfa. Much of the work is done by modern equipment. However, some work is still done by manual labor.

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