FAMILY STORIES

Pearson and the former Maybelle Hanson. Elaine's parents are Ben Bergman Sr. and Emma Bonow.

   I was born in Wahoo in 1924 and Elaine in Ithaca in 1932. We were married in 1952 at the Zion Lutheran Church at Ithaca. We have lived our entire married life at Mead. We lived on an acreage on the north edge of Mead for 23 years, where we raised livestock. The Mead Drive-Inn Bank is presently located on that property. We now reside in town.

   We have two children, Glenda and Curtis. Glenda is a graduate of Kearney State College and married to Tom Russell and lives in Grand Island with their two sons, Andrew Thomas, born in 1979, and Adam Robert in 1982. Our son, Curtis, is a graduate of South East Community College at Milford, and is presently living in Mead.

   I have been the rural mail carrier out of Mead since 1951. Elaine works as a receptionist for Dr. E.A. Schneider in Wahoo. We are both active in the Mead Covenant Church. Elaine is a Sunday School teacher and serves as church secretary. I have been on the church board for many years and now a trustee. I was a member of the Mead Board of Education for 15 years.

   We are looking forward to our retirement and hope our health continues so we can travel this great country in which we live. Saunders County has always been our home and always will be. We respect our parents, who, through hard times, raised us in Christian homes. We love our children, grandchildren, county, and most of all our God, and our great country, the United States of America. Submitted by Robert W. Pearson

   The second child of Irvin and Iradelle Pearson was born William (Bill) Engstrom Pearson on June 4, 1942, in Lincoln, Neb., and raised on the family farm 1 mile northwest of Ceresco. He has a brother, Irvin, Jr., and a sister, Rose Marie Swanson, both of Ceresco.

Wm. Pearson Family. Left to Right: Erika, Bill, Karen, Marcia.

   Bill was educated at Shakespeare rural school and graduated from Ceresco High School in 1958. He attended Luther College and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. in Agriculture in 1964 and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1966.

   His first professional job took him to Washington, D.C. where he was a research economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After two years with the government, Bill worked briefly with Case Power and Equipment in Racine, Wisconsin, before returning to Nebraska in 1970 to join the family farm operation.

   While in Washington he met Marcia Sutherland, daughter of Lundie and Pauline Sutherland, born June 15, 1943, in Brockton, Mass. Marcia has two brothers, David of DeLand, Fla., and Paul, of Proctor, Vt. She was educated in the Brockton Public Schools and attended Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., graduating from the University of Mass. in 1965 with a B.A. in English-Journalism. She was a magazine writer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington.

   Bill and Marcia were married Dec. 7, 1969, in Brockton, Mass., and made their home for a few months in Racine, Wis., before moving to Ceresco in the spring of 1970. Marcia was employed for 6 years at the University of Nebraska as an editor. She now does editorial consulting on a part-time basis. Bill farms in partnership with his brother.

   The couple has two daughters, Erika Lynne, born Sept. 1, 1972, and Karen Marcia, born Nov. 8, 1976. The girls attend Raymond Central Elementary School in Ceresco. The family lives 1½ miles north of Ceresco on Rt. 77, and are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ceresco.

   Joseph Pecena Jr. was born in Zadverice, Moravia, February 26, 1893 to Joseph Sr. and Frantiska (Holba) Pecena. Joseph Jr. was born about 150 miles southeast of Praha (Prague), Czechoslovakia. In youth he worshipped in the Protestant church on top of the hill in Zadverice and studied in the school which stood nearby.

Left to Right: Joseph, Bessie (Vanek) and Raymond J. Pecena.

   Each morning and evening he herded their cattle while the church bells reminded him of each passing hour. The children wore nice shoes to church and school because they walked barefoot most of the way. Joseph gathered black walnuts from the 100-year-old tree near the house where he was born. The foundation of the house consisted of four large rocks, one on each corner. He was hired by the baron (rich landowner) who lived in the castle on top of Janova Hora (John's Mountain) to plant pine trees around the castle. When Joseph was fourteen, his mother died and his father brought Joseph, his older sister, Anna (Zurek), and his younger brother, Frank, to America, stopping first at Baltimore, Maryland but disembarking at Galveston, Texas on February 9, 1909.

   They traveled by train to Burlington, Texas by mistake instead of to Temple, Texas where friends were waiting for them. For three days they visited neighboring farms searching for their friends, but the Pecena's spoke no English and the farmers spoke no Czech. For all practical purposes, they were lost in America. Their friends finally located them. The Pecenas began farming (including cotton, corn, etc.) in Texas.

   Joseph's story concerns three places named Prague. He stayed with an aunt at Prague, Oklahoma. Eventually, he started farming near Prague, Nebraska. John Rerucha, who lived one mile south of Prague, helped Joseph get started farming. Here he met and courted Bessie Anna Vanek, the daughter of Jan and Katherina Krondak Vanek. One night after visiting at Bessie's home, he drove his buggy on what he thought was the lane but which instead turned out to be the family garden.

   Bessie and Joseph had one child, Raymond, born January 27, 1920. In 1934 they bought a farm near Cedar Bluffs. Raymond served with the Army Engineers in New Guinea and the Philippines in World War II. After his return, Raymond started farming. One day at a church convention at Munden, Kansas, he met Martha, the daughter of Frank and Rose (Ruzicka) Caha. It turned out that Martha's home was at Ceresco, Nebraska.

   In 1980, Martha and Raymond visited the Zadverice. Some things have changed, but many are still the same. The church bells still toll the time, the pine trees still grow near the castle. The house that was the family home has been torn down, and a new one has been built nearby, but the four rocks still remain in place. The walnut trees, now nearly 200 years old, still produce their annual crop.

   While in Czechoslovakia, Martha traced her family genealogy to her grandfather's great-grandfather who was born, December 11, 1784, Thomas Czaha. By Raymond J. Pecena

   Edward Pecha Sr. of Hrotovice, Moravia, came to America with his parents, Wenzl and Katherine (Cerney) Pecha in 1874. Antonia Luks came to America with her parents, Leonhard and Mane (Koci) Luks, from Jemnice, Moravia in 1876. They settled on farms in Saunders County.

   Edward and Antonia were married in 1880 at SS. Cyril and Method Catholic Church at Plasi, Nebraska. They had seven children. The six boys were farmers, and Miss Mary helped her mother. When I was a little girl, it seemed to me that all Aunt Mary did was polish.

   Tragedy struck the family October 22, 1918, when two sons, Rudolph and Joseph, died the same day of Spanish flu.

   Edward Jr. was in France with the United States Army during World War I. Rudolph married Albina Jelinek in 1907. She and five children survive. Joseph was single, and was to report for the Army several days after his death. God took two sons at an early age, but gave the rest of the family longevity.

   Edward Jr. married Mary Kubista in 1921. They had two daughters. I, Antoinette, am the older. I married Louis Rezek in 1940. We have no children. We live in Lincoln, Nebr. Marjorie married Adolph Rezek in 1941. They have three children, and live in Weston, Nebr. Gary married Betty Jurgens, now deceased, in 1968. They had one son, Jeffrey. Gary and Jeff live in Wahoo, Nebraska. Duane married Rose Styskal in 1978. They have two daughters, Racheal and Cassandra. They live in Weston, Nebr. Bonnie married William Vech in 1971. They have two children, Brian and Rebecca. They live near Cedar Bluffs, Nebr.

   Uncle Frank married Christina Dragoun in 1892. They had six children. Four died in youth, but two sons grew to manhood.

   Mary, John, and Louis never married. Grandpa Edward loved trees and we grandchildren picked all kinds of fruit in his orchard. Grandma Antonia loved beautiful dishes, and also had a large collection of family pictures. We descendants are the owners of those.

   We thank our grandparents for coming to America. We appreciate their hardships and sacrifice.

   Their son, Edward Jr., several grandsons, and great-grandsons served in the United States Armed Forces. A great-grandson is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and two great-grandsons are in the Naval Reserve at the present time.

   It is 1982, and the sixth generation is growing and enjoying the freedoms in America. It is a good life. Through the generations they have chosen various careers. Some chose to be homemakers. All have high school education, but many have college degrees. Submitted by Mrs. Antoinette (Pecha) Rezek

   Rudolph Frederick Penke was born June 6, 1916 at Bennington, Nebr. He was born to Reinhold and Bertha Penke who came over from Germany to live here. Rudy spent his childhood and adult years growing up in Bennington. He attended grade school and high school in Bennington and graduated with the class of 1934. Rudy enlisted in the service and served in World War II for 4 years. Three years were spent overseas on duty in the West Pacific with the 253rd Signal Construction Co. After he got out Rudy returned back home to Bennington and engaged in farming.

   Soon after Rudy returned back home, he met a young lady named Frances Vetter at a church activity. They were soon married on Nov. 30, 1947. They then lived in Bennington for the next 4 years.

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Left to Right: John, Edward, Mary, Edward Sr., Louis, Antonia, Joseph and Rudolph Pecha.

Rudolph Penke Family

   Frances H. Vetter, Rudy's newly-married wife, was born to Frank and Amanda Vetter on July 30, 1918, in Bonesteel, South Dakota. Frances was the youngest of 4 sisters.

   On Dec. 10, 1951, Rudy and Frances moved to a farm in Saunders County very near to Memphis, Nebr. This farm belonged formerly to Charles Narbor. The Penkes are still residing on this property.

   Rudy has been farming his land and some other farms for the last 31 years. He still is somewhat active on his farm work. He has specialized in grain farming and raising livestock for the past 40 years. Frances has been kept busy helping Rudy, and with all her own hobbies, such as her beautiful flower gardens, canning her own fruits and vegetables, etc., crocheting, embroidery and crewel work.

   Rudy and Frances joined the Zion Lutheran Church near Ithaca, Nebr. in 1952. They both have actively served many offices throughout the years. They are still members at Zion to this day.

   Rudy and Frances are the parents of three daughters. First-born daughter was Janet Faye Penke. She was born Sept. 16, 1948 in Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebr. She attended grade school at Memphis Dist. #110. Janet graduated from Ashland High School in May, 1966. She then attended college at Dana College in Blair, Nebr. She graduated there in May of 1970. Janet married Philip A. Bates on June 6, 1970. They have one son and one daughter. Alan Carter Bates was born on Dec. 10, 1972 and Lisa Beth Bates was born on Dec. 26, 1975. Philip and Janet and family are residing out of Saunders County.

   Second-born daughter was Marla Kay Penke. She was born Aug. 9, 1952 in Dodge County Hospital in Fremont, Nebr. She attended grade school at Memphis District #110. Marla graduated from Ashland-Greenwood High School on May, 1970. She attended Wayne State College for 1 year and Nettleton Business School for 1 year. Presently, she is working on her degree from the University of Nebr. at Omaha. Marla married Frank I. Holmes III on Oct. 18, 1975. They have one son, Frank I. Holmes IV, born on Dec. 21, 1980. The Holmes family is residing in Omaha, Nebr.

   Third-born daughter was Lorna Rae Penke. She was born May 8, 1958 in Fremont, Nebr. Lorna attended grade school at Memphis Dist. #110. She graduated from Ashland-Greenwood High School in May, 1976. Lorna is one of the original employees at the newly-chartered Ashland State Bank which opened in Nov., 1977. She started her employment there on Jan. 1, 1978. She currently holds the position as head cashier. Lorna married Wayne A. Harpin on Jan. 12, 1980. Lorna and Wayne are residing in Ashland, Nebr. Submitted by Lorna Penke Harpin

   My father, Charles Perky, was born Dec. 17, 1841 in the small town of Bloomington, Ohio. In 1857, he enrolled in Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio, during the time James Garfield was its President. He later became President of the United States. At the outbreak of the Civil War, my father enlisted, serving with the 101st Ohio Volunteers and attaining the rank of First Lieutenant when he was mustered out.

   He came to Nebraska after the War ended, driving a team of oxen hitched to a covered wagon. His first work was helping new settlers ford the Platte River near Fremont. In the winters he hunted, trapped, and sold animal furs. Summers he worked on the railroad. He spent much time around DeSoto, Nebraska, which, in the early days, was expected to become Nebraska's busiest city along the Missouri River.

   It was there he met my mother, Josephine Cachelin. After their marriage they moved to Wahoo, Nebraska, and five children were born to them: Emma and Jessie, three and four years old, who died in the same week during the diphtheria epidemic; Roy, who lived to be six months old; Lucile, who died at the age of twenty-one; and Mildred, who married George W. Olson. We lived in Wahoo and Lincoln, Nebr. until his death in 1953.

   In 1877, Charles Perky was appointed Deputy County Treasurer of Saunders County, an office he held for two terms. In 1887, he was chosen president of the First National Bank of Wahoo which office he held until his death in August, 1919.

   My father was interested in everything pertaining to Saunders County, be it financial, fraternal, political, social. He was an active member of the Congregational Church. He served as Mayor of Wahoo. He was a horse lover, always owning one or two spirited driving horses. He was instrumental in bringing top horses to the Saunders County Fair race track and never missed being in the judge's stand for every race.

   He worked hard to help Wahoo have a good baseball team and was one of Sam Crawford's greatest fans, recognizing his talent long before he became famous as "Wahoo Sam" of national baseball fame.

   Money was very scarce during the panic year of 1893. When his cousin, H.D. Perky, asked him for a loan of $1000, he could let him have only $500. With this small amount, H.D. Perky made his first little machine to manufacture whole-wheat breakfast food which he named the "Shredded Wheat Biscuit."

   Charles Perky and Tom Killian owned the Wahoo Opera House. I remember what a thrill it was when a traveling troupe of actors put on their exciting melodramas.

   During World War I, my father worked with groups who went through the county night after night to raise money for the Red Cross so our servicemen could receive good medical help which the men in the Civil War did not have. Submitted by Mrs. Mildred P. Olson

   Edward Person was born October 24, 1888 to Gustal and Eikal Palmgren Person, Bengtesfal, Varaland, Vestmaland, Sweden. He had seven brothers and sisters: Erik, Edit, Eskil, Edward, Ellen, Emil, Ester, and Edvin. Edward and Eskil came to America in 1904, when sixteen. A group came and settled near Colon, bachelors all, and worked for farmers. Axel, Gust Forsberg, Pete Pearson, Eskil and Edward Person returned to visit Sweden. Eskil did not return to America.

Ed and Olga Person, Eugene and Deloris, Jan., 1945.

   Olga Anderson Person was born June 28, 1892 to Andrew and Jenette Johnson Anderson, Colon. Brothers and sisters were Swan, Alie, Tilda Anderson Nelson, and three who died in childhood, Harry, Hilda, and a baby. Olga's maternal grandparents, Jons and Hanna Swanson, lived in Loshult Parrish in Province of Christianstad, Sweden. Jenette was born in Sweden, February 18, 1853, coming to Omaha in 1881. She married Andrew Anderson, Omaha, in 1881. They moved to a farm northeast of Malmo in 1887. After her husband's death in 1914, she and Olga lived in Malmo until Jenette's death April 1, 1921.

   Edward Person and Olga Anderson were married in Omaha, April 20, 1921. Home was a farm west of Colon. They had three children: baby, who passed away March 17, 1923; Eugene Edward, born Oct. 3, 1924; and Deloris Ruth, born August 19, 1926. A farm one and one-fourth miles east of Malmo was purchased in 1930. After moving there, they built a new home. Children attended School District #88 and Malmo #36, graduating in 1942 and 1943.

   Eugene served in the Army in World War II and in Korea. He returned to farming, and married Anna May Wood Alton from Iowa in 1953. Their children are Dennis and Nancy Alton Repert. Deloris Ruth taught school five years and married Warren Lindgren in 1948. Their four children are Douglas, Russell, Norman, and Colleen Lindgren.

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