FAMILY STORIES

settled there in the 1800's. She lived at Morse Bluff for a short time before marriage.

   Gary Daniel Roberts was born July 29, 1955 in Caldwell, Idaho. He is the son of Edmond Fielden Roberts and Estle Lulu Gertrude Robison, and the youngest of 10 children.

   He met his bride, Terilee Edith Freeman, at the LDS Church in Fremont, Nebraska and, after a whirlwind courtship, they were married November 6, 1976 at the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born July 31, 1951, her mother's birthday, in Fremont to Paul M. Freeman and E. Darlene Lohman, being the youngest of three children.

   They first lived in an apartment in Yankton, South Dakota. Gary worked for Gambles and Teri for a bank. After six months, they moved to Fremont, where they now live. Many happy memories were made in their first home where they lived 3½ years. They took pride in fixing it up, having been neglected. After growing out of this home they purchased their first home at 1008 East Fifth in Fremont in September, 1980.

   It is a large two-story house, about 100 years old with "room to grow." They loved the house the moment they walked inside and have been attempting to decorate and enhance its beauty. This is one of Teri's greatest loves, making something beautiful from something neglected.

   Gary has worked at Valmont for four years and Teri stays home with their children and does freelance wallpapering when she has the opportunity.

   Their children are: Nathan Daniel, born July 28, 1977 in Schuyler, Nebraska and named after Gary's Grandpa Roberts; Rachel Ellen, born August 7, 1979 in Omaha, Nebraska and named after Teri's Great-grandma Barrett; Paul Andrew, born August 22, 1981 in Fremont, who takes his name from Teri's father; and Meredith Lee, born March 30, 1983 in Fremont, named for her mother, Grandma Freeman, and Great, great-grandma Kimble.

   The family has many interests and shares much time together, creating a special closeness it hopes will grow. Gary loves sports and hunting. He is an avid reader with his main interest in fiction and church-related books. Being a homemaker fills most of Teri's time, but she also enjoys decorating, sewing, reading, canning, and genealogy. Nathan shows athletic and musical abilities and leadership qualities. Rachel loves being a "mommy and homemaker," and shows musical ability. Paul is a happy little boy and has a good nature.

   Both Gary and Teri joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "The Mormons," in 1975 in Idaho. They have found great joy and happiness from their membership. Each has held positions of leadership and responsibility, having many growing experiences because of their active involvement.

   Education and learning are very important to the family. Gary attended Ricks College in Idaho after graduation. Since coming to Nebraska, he has continued his education, and attended the University of Nebraska in Omaha, where he hopes to get his degree in Business Administration. Teri graduated from North Bend High School and attended Wayne State College, both in Nebraska. Nathan has just started kindergarten and says, "I don't like it, I love it." Submitted by Gary Roberts

   David C. Rochford and his wife, Julia (Shanahan) Rochford, were lifelong residents of Saunders County. David, son of Thomas and Hanora Rochford, was born near Weston on March 29, 1885. He moved to near Colon with his parents and lived in and around Colon the rest of his life.

   David attended District 26 school for several years, where at one time, the teachers were his sisters, Mary and Josephine. He attended Fremont Normal College for two years. Before and after college, until he was married, he worked for his father on the farm.

   Julia Shanahan, daughter of John and Julia Shanahan was born on a farm north of Malmo on October 1, 1892, where she lived until her marriage. She attended District 75 grade school, Malmo High School, and two years at Fremont Normal College where she prepared to teach school. However, she did not teach but rather married David on September 6, 1911.

Dave and Julia Rochford, 40th Wedding Anniversary

   After a wedding trip to California, David and Julia began to farm land given to them by their parents. This is the farm which is still in their family.

   Eight children were born to this marriage: Dorothy, who died before her first birthday, Camilla, Margaret, Eugene, Gerald, Dolores, Thomas, and Marilyn.

   During the first years of their marriage, they built up their farm, building the barn in 1917 and the house, which was delayed by World War I, in 1919. This house would be their home until 1947 when they retired to Colon.

   During their retirement years, they often spent the winters in California with their children who lived there. After several years of not going to California, they made their last trip to California in November, 1979. In contrast to their courting in a horse and buggy, wedding trip, and subsequent trips to California by train, this trip was made by plane, the first plane trip for either of them.

   After visiting their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren around Anaheim, they went to Blythe, California, and their daughter, Margaret's home. Here, on January 31, 1980 David died following a brief illness. He was a few weeks short of his 95th birthday.

   Julia returned to their home in Colon where she remained for a year. Then she moved to the Saunders County Care Home but retained her home in Colon.

   Dave and Julia had held celebrations for their 50th, 60th, and 65th wedding anniversaries. They were actively planning their 70th anniversary celebration when Dave died.

   Both Dave and Julia were life-long Democrats and active in their Church. They were married in Holy Rosary (Sand Creek) Church and were founding members of St. Joseph's Church in Colon. They remained members of St. Joseph's the rest of their lives. David was buried in his family lot at Holy Rosary Cemetery which overlooks his farm.

   Dave passed his driver's test at the age of 92 and drove his 1940 Chevrolet to church and the card room. He took care of his own business up until his death. By Eugene Rochford

   Our lives together began on May 21, 1946 when we were married at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Blue Hill, Nebraska in Webster County.

   Gene was born to Dave and Julia Rochford on October 23, 1916, northwest of Colon on the farm where he was raised and where we live.

   Gene attended District 26 grade school, Cedar Bluffs High School and Van Sant Business College in Omaha, Nebraska. He enlisted in the USMC in March of 1942. He spent seven years in the service of his country, forty-four months of which he was a prisoner of the Japanese during World War II.

Eugene and Mildred Rochford

   I, Mildred (Schneider) Rochford, was born on May 24, 1925 to Leo and Frances (Bencken) Schneider in Lawrence, Nebraska in Nuchols County.

   Gene and I met while he was waiting discharge from the USMC at the Naval Ammunition Depot at Hastings, Nebraska. I was bookkeeper for Hunt Electric Co. at Hastings, Nebraska.

   After our wedding trip, we came to the farm home, which was owned by his parents and where we were to live. I, being a city girl all my life, had a lot of things to learn. But learn I did, to tend to a garden, and raise chickens. We raised hogs and cattle and I learned to drive a tractor and helped during the busy times in the field, which I enjoyed.

   Our daughter, Rene, was born on January 29, 1956 and is married to Harvey Peters Jr. They have a daughter, Elizabeth Jean (Beth), born on Mother's Day, May 13, 1979. They live in Fremont, Nebraska.

   Our son, Edward, was born on April 20, 1957 and lives on the farm with us and works out.

   Gene retired in 1982, after thirty-five years of farming. Our son will take over the farming operation next year and will be the 4th generation of Rochfords to farm the same place.

   We belong to St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Colon.

   Gene is a life member of the American Legion Post #265 at Colon. He is a Past Commander, also a permanent member of the D.A.V.

   I am a permanent member of the American Legion Auxiliary at Colon; a Past President of the Unit; and a Past County President of Saunders County.

   I belong to St. Ann's Altar Sodality and the Semi-Colon Home Extension Club. Submitted by Mildred Rochford

   Thomas Rochford was born December 29, 1840 to John C. and Nora (Cloon) Rochford in County Clare, Ireland. He came to the United States in 1858 and worked as a teamster in Washington, D.C. until 1866.

Thomas and Honora Rochford, July 22, 1866

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   Hanora O'Donnell, daughter of John O'Donnell, was born August 18, 1843 in County Cork, Ireland. She came to Canada with her brother in 1861. They moved to Pennsylvania in 1865.

   Thomas and Hanora were married in Pennsylvania on July 22, 1866. They moved to Omaha where he began working on the Union Pacific Railroad. He followed it west to Promontory Point near Salt Lake City, Utah, where the Golden Spike was driven May 10, 1869.

   He brought his bride to Omaha in 1867 where she worked as an upstairs maid for the Harding family, who owned the Ice Cream Company. During that time they lived in the area known as Shanty Town, where two children, John and Nora, were born. She didn't want to raise the children in that area, so they decided to move to Saunders County, near Weston, where they homesteaded. All the time Thomas worked on the railroad, he mailed his wife money and she banked it, using what she earned on selling eggs and cream for living expenses. When Thomas quit the railroad, she had saved enough money to buy 80 acres of land.

   By 1885, he owned 400 acres at a cost of $2,050. In 1887, he purchased the NW 240 acres, Section 31, Cedar Precinct from Marthena Sanders for $4,400. The NE 160 acres was purchased in 1887 from Wm. Foster. In 1889, he purchased the SE 160 acres from John Carlson. By 1900, he owned the whole section 31-16-7. In 1911, he purchased 80 acres in Douglas Precinct from Art Siemsen. In 1912, he purchased 160 acres from Fred Housher.

   In 1886, he paid $46.96 taxes on 400 acres in Mariposa Precinct. In 1889, on above land, plus 240 acres, Section 31-16-7, he paid $89.78. In 1899, he paid $109.89 tax on 400 acres in Mariposa and 400 acres in Cedar. Compare that to the taxes that are paid today.

   While at Weston, eight more children were born, Michael, Nellie, Thomas D., Thomas E., Mary, Josephine, David and Martin. Thomas E. and Martin died in early childhood.

   In 1888, they moved to South Cedar where they lived the rest of their lives. Mike, Tom, and Dave all farmed in the immediate area.

   In 1900, Thomas visited Ireland and met his father-in-law for the first time.

   On July 22, 1916, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Four of their children also lived to celebrate their 50th Anniversary.

   In June, 1926, one month short of their 60th Anniversary, Hanora passed away.

   Thomas remained on the farm with his daughter, Nora. He had an old horse and every morning rode one-half mile to get the mail. He was thrown off the horse at age 92 and walked back home. He didn't need glasses and managed his business to the last.

   Thomas died in 1934 at the age of 94 and was survived by four sons and four daughters.

   Thomas and Hanora were original parishioners of Holy Rosary Catholic Church at Sand Creek and St. Joseph's Church at Colon from where they were buried and interred at the Holy Rosary Cemetery, which is a little over a mile from where they lived out their lives.

   The farm home, two and one-half miles north of Colon, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Rohwer, was homesteaded by Arnold's grandfather, Henry Paustean, in 1871. A portion of the house which he built is still a part of their present remodeled home.

   Henry Paustean, a native of Germany, married Magdalena Harding. There were two daughters. One died as a small child and Clara married Herman Rohwer, also a native of Germany. They too resided on this farm. Six sons were born to the Herman Rohwers: Rudolf, Harry, Ewalt and Louis who are all deceased; Elmer, World War II veteran and retired mechanic living in Elkhorn; and Arnold, World War II veteran and currently a farmer. Herman Rohwers celebrated sixty-five wedding anniversaries.

   Arnold married Martha Kuhr of rural Wahoo on Nov. 28, 1947. She is the daughter of Mrs. Henry Kuhr, Ceresco and the late Henry Kuhr. Her deceased grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kuhr Sr., farmers in the Mead, Nebraska vicinity, and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Starmann, postmaster, who were victims of the March, 1913 tornado at Yutan, Ne. Mrs. Henry Kuhr Sr., born Anna Mumm, was orphaned in Germany when the houseboat her family operated capsized at sea and all were drowned. She was attending school on the mainland.

   Arnold and Marty Rohwer have two sons. Kenneth is a math teacher and varsity basketball coach at the Blair, Ne. High School. He is married to Lila Rosenbaum and they have a son Jon. Keith Rohwer married Barbara Fricke; they have a son, Andrew. Keith is currently an elementary principal in the Fremont, Ne. school system.

   The Rohwers are of Lutheran faith, members at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church at Cedar Bluffs. Submitted by Mrs. Arnold Rohwer

   Donald Rood, the son of Henry and Vera Rood, graduated from Wahoo High School in 1948. He was the oldest child, having three sisters; Marjorie, Norma, Deanna. Doris Ecklund, daughter of Ronald and Clara Ecklund, graduated from Wahoo High School in 1949. She was the youngest child having had two brothers: Clarence, Maynard.

Don Rood, Doris Rood, Debra and Lee Plybon, David Rood. June 12, 1982.

   On June 10, 1951, Donald and Doris were married at the First United Methodist Church in Wahoo. In December, 1951, Donald was inducted into Korean War, serving the army in Germany. While he was away from home, Doris was employed at the City Hall and the Wahoo State Bank. When he returned home, we returned to the farm living two miles south of Wahoo.

   In 1958, David came to live at our home and in 1963, Debra Kay came to our home, both from the Nebraska Children's Home in Omaha. When Don's parents retired from the farm and moved into Wahoo, we moved to the "home place."

   The following years were busy, operating a small dairy, as well as farming. In 1972 the decision was made to discontinue the milking operation, so the cows were sold. David started into the farming business and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1976, the same year Don and Doris celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by traveling to Hawaii with the "Go Big Red" migration.

   When Debra started school, Doris started working part-time as a secretary for the First United Methodist Church during the pastorate of the Reverend Ivan Richardson. Over the years both Don and Doris have served on various committees and taught Sunday School. Don has served as Usher, Lay Leader, Sunday School Superintendent, as well as, Teacher.

   Donald has served in various community activities having received 17 years of recognition as an ASCS committeeman in 1973. He is also a Past Master of Wahoo Lodge #59 AF & AM and a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Masons Chapter #43. Don is also a 4-H Leader, receiving his 25 year pin in 1982. David was also a member of Don's 4-H Club -- the Wahoo Wheelers Tractor Club for 9 years.

   Doris has been an active Home Extension Club member of the SouthSide Homemakers and has served on the County Council both as County Chairman and Treasurer. The annual Saunders County fair also brings Doris to the 4-H Office to serve as an office assistant.

   Debra was an active member of the Cool Cats 4-H Club under the direction of Mrs. Lurine Little and Mrs. Suzie Christensen for 9 years. She also served as Worthy Advisor of the Wahoo Assembly No. 25 Order of Rainbow for Girls. As a member of the 1981 graduating class of Wahoo High, Debra planned on college but her mind was changed by the decision to marry. On June 12, 1982 Debra and Lee Plybon of Weston were married at the First United Methodist Church in Wahoo and are now living south of Wahoo.

   As a long-time resident of Saunders County, my memories are many and varied.

Henry Rood Family

   To go back in time, my mother's parents came from England. After a few years in the east, they came by covered wagon to Saunders County where they took a homestead in 1871 near Prague, Ne. My mother was born there in 1873.

   My father was born in Norway in 1864 and came to America at the age of 19. He worked on a farm in Iowa for 2 years and then homesteaded a farm near Alliance. My father and mother were married in 1893 and moved to Polk County. In 1905 they bought a farm near Wahoo where their son Paul still lives.

   Transportation was different in those days, and they rented a box car on the Union Pacific to move. It was divided into two parts. One half was for the livestock, and personal belongings in the other, where father and sister also rode. The rest of the family came by horse and carriage -- a good day's travel.

   My wife Vera came to Saunders Co. in 1927 when we married. Our first home was on a farm near Malmo. We lived there one year. The following spring we moved to a farm near Mead where we lived for 13 years. Three of our children, Donald, Marge, and Norma, were born there. This farm later became part of the Ordnance Plant.

   In looking back, they were good years even though we had drought years, "Winter of '36," and depression. We recall a cow was sent to Omaha which brought $15, and 12 fall pigs at $2.85 per hundred.

   In 1939, we applied for the Tenant Purchase Program. After much looking and red-tape, we were approved to buy the farm south of Wahoo. It was bought on faith and borrowed money in 1940. We moved there in February, 1941. Our last child, Deanna, was born in March. Almost 24 years later, we moved to Wahoo and son Donald took over the farm which he now owns.

   Among our memories while on the farm are the 4-H years and our good neighbors both in Mead and Wahoo. We were both 4-H leaders for many years. These years were both productive and instructive. Our family always worked as a team.

   Through the Extension Service, the Ladies Home Journal were looking for a typical Nebraska family with children of certain ages. Our family was selected for a feature story. As a result we had letters from all over the country -- even Africa!

   We are members of the Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, have been active

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