FAMILY STORIES

   My grandparents, James Satorie and Katherine Kutilek, were married January 27, 1863 in Czechoslovakia. On February 15, 1878, they and their three children, Joseph, Frantiska, and Anna, sailed from Caslov for North America.

The James Satorie Family -- Taken March 1978

   They settled on a farm near Morse Bluff, and on November 14, 1880, my father, James Carl, was born. There he met Stella Ondracek and they were married March 20, 1906. She was the daughter of Anton Ondracek and Marie Novak. I was their first child, born August 1, 1909. A brother, Ray, and a sister, Gladys, were also born in Morse Bluff. After nine years, they decided to buy land in Dodge County, against the opinion of many of their family and friends.

   They moved their household goods and machinery on the immigrant cars of the train to a farm northeast of North Bend. It had been a part of the Hershey Ranch. Part of our home had originally been the office of the ranch. My grandparents also moved to North Bend and lived in a small house near ours. My sister, Elsie, and brother, Max, were born in Dodge County.

   On the 160 acres, we raised corn, wheat, oats and alfalfa, milked cows and raised hogs. In 1914, Dad bought his first seed potatoes. Eventually, we raised potatoes to sell.

   Grandpa Satorie died January 29, 1922. Grandma asked me to stay with her at nights after Grandpa died and she would give me a feather quilt. She said it wouldn't be long, and she died only ten days later.

   Around 1930, we started to raise seed corn and have been ever since. By the 1930's, we were raising around 40 acres of potatoes. During the Depression, people would pick potatoes for $2 a day, or a sack and a half of potatoes.

   Mother always had a large garden and would sell cucumbers at the farm and always during the Old Settlers celebration, held yearly in North Bend.

   On March 5, 1941, Evelyn Kirchmann and I were married in Fremont. I had first met her at a dance 14 years before. We shared the house with my parents the first years of our marriage. A little over two years later my dad passed away, October 8, 1943. The next year our first daughter, Evla, was born, the year after another daughter, Bonnie, and two years later a son, James. We were busy taking care of the farm and livestock and raising our children.

   We built a potato cellar in 1946 with bins in the back for storing the potatoes. Later, we sold shipped-in fruits and vegetables, too.

   Mother was very ill with diabetes and died on March 9, 1950.

   Eventually all the children married, but my son has continued farming on the home place. I am semi-retired, and my wife and I have moved to an acreage near North Bend.

   My son married Beverly Wielgus. They now live on the farm and have two children: Rebecca and James Shawn. My oldest daughter, Evla, married Robert Saalfeld. They and their children, Christopher and William, live on a farm near North Bend. Bonnie, her husband, James Williams, and their two children, Amy and John, live in Lincoln.

   We enjoy our grandchildren very much. I still go to the farm every day. It's hard to break a habit after so many years. Submitted by James Emanuel Satorie

   Edwin is a third-generation citizen of Saunders County. His paternal grandparents were Cornelius Scanlon, who came here from Ireland, and Ellen Ferry, who came from Scotland. They settled two miles west of Ceresco. His maternal grandfather was Joseph Caha who settled in the Touhy area, coming to this country from Czechoslovakia. His maternal grandmother was Josephine Dolezal. Edwin is the sixth of the nine children born to James Philip Scanlon and Agnes Caha Scanlon. His twin sister, Theresa (Mrs. Raymond Schieding), now lives near DeWitt, Nebraska.

Ed Scanlon Family

   Edwin is a lifelong member of St. Mary's Church in Davey, Nebraska, a parish his grandparents helped found. Edwin received his grade and high school education at the Ceresco school building, and spent some time at the University of Nebraska.

   When his father became disabled in 1952, he took over the family farm, an occupation he continues to this day. His farming operations include the Caha farm at Touhy and the Scanlon farm at Ceresco, both farms having been in the families for over one hundred years.

   Edwin was born on, and lived on the farm until April 12, 1969, when he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Weisbecker at Saint Bernard's Church, in Omaha, Nebraska. They moved into Ceresco at 212 W. Main Street, where they still live. The family now includes two children, Michael Edwin, born Nov. 9, 1970 and Mary Elizabeth, born February 9, 1972. Elizabeth now works part-time at the Ceresco Post Office.

   The Schere family name has been in existence continuously for seven generations. The given name "John" is found in five of these.

   Great-grandfather John Scherer and his son, Louis, and wife left Kreis Schleswig-Holstein to go to America. They made their home in Blue Island, Illinois in 1860. Grandfather Louis was born in 1811 and died in 1903. Grandmother was born in 1838 and died in 1924. Their sons, Herman and John, were born in Blue Island. The family moved to Nebraska in 1869 and homesteaded 1½ miles northwest of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. They came across the river on a "ferry." Six more children were born in this family; Louis, William, Bertha, Emma, Mary, and Sophie.

   Louis was a Fremont Normal School student. He had the first mercantile business in Cedar Bluffs. Louis and Josie had eight children; Louie, Fred, Gilbert, Florence, Mildred, Marie, Pauline and Kathryn.

   Herman, John and William were farmers. Herman and Sophie settled 1½ miles west of Cedar Bluffs. They had four children; George, Dora, Fredrecka and Herman Jr. This is now the Jerald Primm family home.

   William and Anna settled north of Cedar Bluffs. They had two children, Clarence and Freida. This is now the Larry Wagner family home.

   John and Lillie settled 1½ miles north of Cedar Bluffs. They had a family of four, Roma, John Howard, Marvin and Victor. This now the William LeGrande family home.

   The first country schoolhouse was located on the John Schere farm for a number of years. This is where the Schere kids attended school. It was at this time that the "R" was dropped from the name. One of the teachers was a man who always wore a thimble on his finger. They all wondered, "Why?" They soon found out. Those who misbehaved were "bumped" on the head with the thimbled finger.

   John, William and Louis were on the Cedar Bluffs school board at the same time. John was a member when the first brick schoolhouse was built in 1914.

   Six Scheres served their country in wartime. In World War I, Louie and George served in the Navy. In World War II, Jack and William served in the Navy, John, in the Army (Medical), and Robert, in the Air Force.

   At age fourteen, Roma took on the duties of her deceased mother in the home, the family consisting of father and three brothers. She has been a long-time member of the Cedar Bluffs First Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday School classes, sang in the choir, and was active in the various church organizations. She was also a telephone operator for many years.

   Four Schere couples have observed their Golden Wedding Anniversaries: Herman and Sophie; Marvin and Marian; George and Verena; and John Howard and Esther.

   The Scheres by generations are: 1st, Great-grandfather "John" Scherer; 2nd, Grandfather Louis Scherer; 3rd, Herman, John, Louis, and William Schere; 4th, John Howard, Marvin, Victor, Roma, Louie A., Fred, Gilbert, George, Herman Jr., and Clarence Schere; 5th, John, Robert, Jack, and William Schere; 6th, John David, Stephen, Greg, Matthew, and George Schere; and 7th, Stephen Michael Schere. Information by Roma E. Schere, written by Eva M. Schere

   Louie A. Schere was the son of Louis and Josie Boulier Schere. She was the sister of Geo. Boulier. Louis was born on the homestead northwest of Cedar Bluffs, and a student of Fremont Normal School. He had the first mercantile business in Cedar Bluffs. Louis and Josie had eight children, Florence, Mildred, Marie, Louie, Fred, Gilbert, Pauline and Kathryn.

Louie and Eva Schere

   Louie served in the Navy in World War I. He and Ruby Brown managed the Steuhrk Grocery Store for the daughter who lived in the East. He met Eva Griffin at a dance in the old opera house. They both loved to dance. Married July 9, 1936, they lived in the Brainard home, 3/4 of a mile east of Cedar Bluffs for seven years.

   Eva was the daughter of Wm. Griffin and Margaret Hutsen. William was born in Wales, England.

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His father died when he was very young. William migrated to Canada and settled in Orillia, Ontario. He married the daughter of James and Janet Hutsen who had migrated from Tipperary, Ireland, and settled in Orillia. William and Margaret married in Orillia. Albert and Mae were born there. Wm. left his wife, son and daughter in Canada, and migrated to the United States, and became an American citizen.

   He worked in the cranberry fields for some time; then homesteaded west of Elgin, Nebraska. After being settled there, he went back to Canada for his family. Five more children were born on the farm near Elgin: Ellsworth, Lillian, Eva, Blanche, and Jeanette.

   Eva graduated from Elgin Public School where she took a teachers' training course, passed the exams to receive her teacher's certificate, and taught three years in country schools. She graduated from Wayne State Teachers College and took courses from the U. of Nebraska. She taught seven years in Pilger, Nebraska.

   Then H. Babcock, Supt. of Cedar Bluffs, asked her to apply for the seventh and eighth grade vacancy in Cedar Bluffs. She arrived by train in 1930, and was met at the depot by Jean Miller and Naomi Moody. She roomed with three other teachers in the Jim Otredosky home. She sponsored both Camp Fire and Girl Scouts, camping at different camps near Wahoo and Fremont.

   Louie was working at the Mead Ordnance Plant and Eva was teaching when they purchased the grocery store from the Hinze family in 1943. They lived in the apartment over the store; then later bought their home on Elm Street. They operated the store for twenty-one years. During that time all but one of the Alma Knutzen family worked in the store.

   Louie was a ball player and managed teams in Cedar Bluffs. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church, Civic and Legion affairs. They attended the World's Fair in Dallas, Texas. Eva attended the World's Fair in Chicago. She was honored to be the representative for the Roberts Dairy of Wahoo at a National Groceryman's Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The award came from their increase of dairy products sold in their store.

   Louie passed away in Nov. of 1972, after a lingering illness.

   Today, Eva is a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary, also a member of the 8 & 40 Dodge County Salon. She was the first woman Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Bluffs, and served as clerk of the session, a member of the steering committee for organizing the New Homestead Presbytery, and on the Executive Presbyterial Board. She's been active in the different organizations of the church, the Christian Education Board, Choir, United Presbyterian Women, Mariners, and Sunday School Teacher.

   She's been fortunate to visit her relatives in Pasadena, Cal.; Indiana Harbor, Mich.; Lawton, Okla.; Chicago, Ill.; and Orillia, Ontario, Canada. Submitted by Eva Schere

   Charles L. Schiefelbein, son of Frederick C. Schiefelbein, married Anna Frei. Their children were Gay (Chuck), Fay, Dee, Harvey, Ira, Eva, Caleb, and James. See Frederick C. Schiefelbein story. Submitted by D.J. Schiefelbein

Charles L. Schiefelbein Family. Back Row, L. to R.: "All Schiefelbeins" Gay "Chuck", Fay, Dee, Harvey; Middle Row: Ira, Charles L.-Father, Eva, Anna (Frei)-Mother, Caleb; Front Row: James.

   Frederick Christian Schiefelbein was born in November, 1835 in Plagan, district of Arneswalde and duchy of Brandenburg. In 1865 he was married to Johanna Pauline Mathilda Mallwitz, daughter of Gottfried Paul and Charlotte Sophie (Hobus) Mallwitz. Pauline was born on December 25, 1841 in Kordeshagen, district of Coeslin, in Pommern.

Frederick Christian and Johanna Pauline M. Mallwitz Schiefelbein

   Frederick and Pauline's first three children were born in Europe: William Alfred Gottfried, born 1865; Pauline "Lena" Albertina Augusta, born 1868; and Augusta Alvina, born 1870.

   In 1872, Frederick, Pauline, William, 6 years of age, Lena, 4 years, and Augusta, 2 years, came to America and settled first in northwest Illinois near Nelson and Dixon, Illinois. Here, Bertha Emma was born in 1872; Carl/Charles Ludwig in 1874, and Frederick John Henry in 1877.

   The family of eight pushed west in 1878 across Iowa to eastern Nebraska. Frederick Schiefelbein purchased a tract of land from the Land Department of the Union Pacific Railroad on July 14, 1886. The deed on file gives his "address" as Milton, Neb. a rural postoffice in Green Precinct, Saunders County, Neb.

   Here in Green Precinct the last four children were born: Emil Rudolph in 1879; Benjamin Franklin in 1881; Ernest Simon in 1883; and Amanda Eliza in 1885.

   Frederick farmed here from 1878 until his death in 1902. Pauline did much of the helping as doctor within and around the Ithaca community. The nearest doctor was at Ashland at that time, 17 miles away.

   Frederick and Pauline were members of the Evangelic Church. They are buried in Zion Evangelical Cemetery south of Ithaca, Neb. Frederick died in November, 1902. Pauline died in December, 1921.

   At one time or another all of their children made their homes and started their own families in Saunders County.

   My grandfather, Marcus Peter Schmidt, came to this country from Germany in 1865 and to Saunders County in 1869. He took up a homestead near Ceresco soon thereafter. In 1874, he was married to Carolina Wilhelmena Lush who resided with her family near the Swedeburg area. They had nine children, Harry, Emma, Fredreich, Maria, John, Dorothea, Cleveland, Mable and Carl. Fredreich, John and Mable lived in Saunders County all their lives. John, known most of his life as "John O.", was my father. He married Emma Keller, daughter of Henry and Louise Keller, who were residents of Saunders County most of their lives. My mother (Emma) will be 93 in December (1982) and resides at the Haven House.

Vernon A. and Helen Schmidt

   In 1881, my grandfather, who had been a brickmaker in Germany, purchased land east of Wahoo to establish a brickyard. The several parcels of land furnished clay and sand, which, combined with water pumped from Sand Creek, provided the necessary raw materials. He manufactured brick there until his death in 1908, at which time son Fred continued the operation until the clay supply ran out. My father acquired the land after my grandmother's death. I purchased it from him and continue to live there in the house built from brick made there. To many, the road past our place is still known as the brickyard road. Across the road from our place is Sunrise Cemetery.

   I had two brothers, Kenneth and Melvin, and two sisters, Eileen and Lucille. I am the only one who remained in Saunders County. Brother Melvin lost his life in a sand cave-in in the farm pasture. He was eleven years old. My sister, Eileen, died of cancer, leaving a young family of three sons and her husband.

   I married Helen Speckmann whose family lived most of their lives on a farm near Mead, until their farm became a part of the Ordnance Plant. We have two children, a son, Brian, and a daughter, Julie. Brian and his wife, Susan, live in Omaha. Julie is married to Gale Miller. They have two daughters, Pam and Kim, and reside in Utica, Nebraska. John Speckmann, Helen's father, was active in local affairs, having served two terms as a County Commissioner.

   My father was always active in community affairs. He served in the Nebraska Legislature when we had a two-house system. He organized the First

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