FAMILY STORIES

away on March 1, 1947 of polio. I continued to live in Omaha until 1969.

   In Nov. 1969, I moved with my son, Lawrence Edward and his family, to Yutan. I had an apartment in their home and lived ½ mile east and ½ mile south of Yutan.

   In 1974, I moved to 310 Oak Street in Yutan. I had a garden and am still a member of the Yutan Garden Club.

   I have 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

   I enjoy participating in the Senior Citizen Center and their many activities.

   I have been a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ since 1975. I am a member of Women's Fellowship Hour and participate in the Bible study.

   John Henry Smith was born July 3, 1897 near Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. His father, Johann Friedrich Whilhelm Schmidt, was born in Germany on November 26, 1853. He came from Germany to Wisconsin, and later in 1868 to Nebraska, settling near Ithaca in the Wahoo precinct. He received his citizenship papers in Saunders County in 1870 under the name of William F. Smith. William married Katherina Juliana Martin November 30, 1880. Katherine was born February 9, 1862 in Wisconsin and later moved with her parents, Anton Gustaf and Katherine (Hofer) Martin, to Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska.

   William and Katherine were parents of eleven children, three daughters dying in infancy. Those growing to adulthood in Saunders County were -- Mamie, William, Freda, Ella, Sarah, John, Carl and Ruth. Only John remained throughout his life in Saunders County.

   John H. Smith married Emma A. Behrens on July 18, 1917 near Beaver Crossing, Nebr. John travelled there by train, bringing his bride back to live on a farm near Ithaca. Emma Behrens was born near Wahoo, later moving with the family to a farm near Swedeburg. Her mother, Augusta (Vick) Behrens, died in 1907 leaving the father, Herman, with a family of seven children. A few months after, the family moved by train to a farm near Beaver Crossing. Here Emma, no longer being able to continue school, cared for five younger brothers and sisters, the youngest being thirteen months. She could tell stories of learning to bake, sew and care for the family. Her father was determined to keep the family together despite the many hardships. After the children were older, Emma was employed by a local doctor who made calls throughout Seward County.

   Emma travelled to Ithaca to visit her maternal grandmother, Whilhelmena Vick, who, as a widow, had come from Germany with her four small children and settled near Ithaca. During these visits Emma met John; there were infrequent visits back and forth and much letter-writing during the courtship.

   Life on the farm was not simple. There were crops to be harvested; wheat to be cut, then shocked by hand, and later, threshed. There was corn to be husked by hand by the entire family. The family now included a daughter, Leone (Liliedahl), and a son, Leo. Social life was centered in the neighborhood and there were happy times also. The neighbors were helpful in times of trouble, such as the time when the family was quarantined for five weeks with scarlet fever.

   John and Emma left the farm after many years and moved to the former Wm. Smith home in Ithaca. They later moved to Wahoo where John was custodian at the First National Bank for a number of years before retiring. Emma died in December of 1970. John is a resident of the Saunders County Care Center. Their two children now live in Wahoo and two of their seven grandchildren are residents of Saunders County. Submitted by Leone (Smith) Liliedahl

   Keith E. Smith, eldest of four children, was born July 30, 1927, to Walter G. and Anna Smith on a farm near Ashland, Nebraska. He attended District 41 rural grade school, Ashland High School, and was enrolled in Engineering College at UN when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater in WW II, 1945-46. When he was discharged, he joined his parents who had moved to Ceresco with his brother, Wesley, and sisters, Wanda and Beverly. His father was employed at the Phillips 66 Station for Arvid Swanson, and later, for Art Stewart until his death in 1964. Keith began working for the Department of Roads as an engineer, where he is still employed.

The Keith E. Smith Family

   On June 3, 1950, he married Arlyce Johnson, daughter of Elmer W. and Elvera Johnson. Born on a farm near Ceresco, Arlyce was educated in the Ceresco school system and attended Teachers College where Elmer farmed until his death in 1955. Elvera owned and operated Johnson Grocery with Dorothy Johnson for a few years, and then moved to Lincoln, where she resided until her death in 1981. A sister, Bonnie Fifer, and brother, Dan, live in Arizona. An older sister, Marjorie, died in an accident as a child in 1935.

   Keith was recalled to the Navy during the Korean Conflict in September of 1950, and served in Adak, Alaska until his discharge in the fall of 1951.

   Keith and Arlyce's family consists of 4 daughters. Debbie, husband John Spader, and children, Corey, Kami and Lindsey, live on a farm 4 miles south of Ceresco. Beckie, husband Frank Lanik, and their children, Eric, Sarah, and Kevin, live in Davey. Mary lives in Lincoln. Sue, husband Harold Danley, and their daughter, Kimberley, live in Raymond.

   Both Keith and Arlyce are active in community and social affairs. They are members of the Evangelical Covenant Church, serve on the state level of the American Legion and Auxiliary, belonging to the Ceresco Post #244. In addition, Keith is a member of the 40/8, Comet Lodge AF&Am #229. Arlyce is a member of the Beaver-Bartek VFW #4502, Dodge Co. 8/40, and Executive Board member of the Clerks Section of the League of Nebraska Municipalities. She has served as Municipal Clerk-Treasurer for Ceresco, earning her certification in 1982. The Smiths have resided in Ceresco since 1950.

   Kenneth John Smith was born July, 1948 to Leo and Faith Smith, and raised on the Smith family farm near Ithaca that his dad, grandpa and great-grandfather lived on. He has an older brother, Alan, and a younger brother, Steve. He attended District 29 and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970 in Germany and DaNang Vietnam.

   I was born October, 1951 to Ned and Vera Irene Swanson and grew up on the Swanson farm northwest of Wahoo. I attended District #70, graduated from Wahoo High School in 1969, and attended and graduated from C.E. School of Commerce in Omaha.

   Ken and I were married in October, 1970. Son, Heath Kenneth Smith, was born August, 1977, one of the 7 babies born to the Swanson Cousins "Spirit of 77".

Ken, Roma, and Heath Smith, 1982

   Ken is presently serving as a Saunders County Supervisor -- elected in 1980, and following in Grandfather Cleon Dech's footsteps, who served during the 1940's. Being interested in politics, Ken was one of the GOP candidates in the Primary Election in 1982 for Lt. Governor of Nebraska. Ken is a member of the VFW Post #4502, FOE 2971, and the American Legion Post #82, presently serving as Adjutant.

   We are members of the Ithaca United Methodist Church, and I have served in the past as Sunday School Superintendent. I am a member of the American Legion Auxiliary #82, Wahoo Mothers Study Club, Welsh Society of Lincoln, President of the newly re-organized Saunders County Republican Women, and am the Village Clerk of Ithaca. I am the Deputy Register of Deeds of Saunders County. I feel at home there as my father, Ned Swanson, served 30 years as Register of Deeds. Ken grew up loving the outdoor life, and always helped his dad with the farming, chores and milking the cows.

   I have enjoyed music and playing the organ and piano throughout my life. As a little girl, I always said I was going to play the pipe organ in church someday, and when I was 15, I realized that dream. I am appreciative to my parents for their loyal support of this and their patience in listening to my practicing. When I first started music lessons, I had a pet cat that would sit on the bass piano keys by the hour while I practiced. I also thought I was playing a good trick on my Mom when I would practice at dishwashing time. I grew up knowing a love and respect for animals and always had horses to ride along with my dad.

   Ken and I both have fond memories of 4-H. We still enjoy the local rodeo and attend every performance along with our little 'cowboy' son. We hope our son will grow up having all the loving memories we have of the farm life, sharing and caring for animals, and enjoying 4-H. Submitted by: Roma Jean Swanson Smith

   Lawrence Edward Smith, known by his friends as Ed, and his wife, Barbara Logeman Smith, live on an acreage, one-half mile east and one-half mile south of Yutan, in a home the two of them built themselves in 1969. Ed was born in Omaha and Barbara was born in Lincoln. They lived in Omaha with their two children who were both born in Omaha: Marshelle Denise, in 1962, and Charles Edward, better known by his friends as "Tuck", in 1963. In 1969, the Smith family, including Ed's mother, Hazel Smith, moved from Omaha to Yutan on five acres of ground that had belonged to Barbara's uncle and aunt, William and Edith Burmeister, a cattle feeder, who were lifetime Saunders County residents.

   Marshelle and Tuck attended the Yutan Public Schools, and, afterwards, took care of their many pets and animals. Ed and Barbara went to Omaha to work. Ed was in accounting at the Omaha Public Power District and Barbara was sales manager for a real estate company. Grandma Hazel Smith stayed home, baked cookies and loved to work in the garden. In 1974, Grandma Smith moved into Yutan across from St. Peter's Church where she is still a faithful member.

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The Lawrence E. Smith Family

   In 1975, Ed and Barbara began, in the lower level of their home, the Nebraskaland Homes Realty Inc., the only real estate company in Yutan. Marshelle designed the logo for the company which is the site of Nebraska with a windmill and the state motto "the good life". In 1976, Barbara had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. to discuss with the President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, the Panama Canal issue.

   In 1980, Marshelle won the Nebraska Jr. Miss title, and went to Mobile, Alabama to represent Nebraska in the National Jr. Miss Pageant. Also, in 1980, the Nebraskaland Homes office was moved from the Smith's home to 201 Vine Street, the southwest corner of downtown Yutan, where it is today.

   In 1982, after receiving the award of ECNC All-Conference Center for football, Tuck graduated from Yutan High as Valedictorian. Presently, Marshelle is a junior at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and Tuck is a Freshman at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Both are biology and pre-med majors. The Smith family are active members at St. John's Lutheran Church. Barbara is currently on the Yutan School Board.

   Leo H. Smith, the son of John H. Smith and Emma Anna Behrens Smith, was born on a farm near Ithaca, February 25, 1923. He is a grandson of William F. Smith and Katherine Smith who were early settlers in Saunders County. Leo has lived in Saunders County all of his life. Leo has one sister, Leone Smith Liliedahl, who lives in Wahoo. Leo attended school in District 29, District 50 in Ithaca, and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1940.

Leo and Faith Smith

   The chief means of transportation, while in country school, was with a pony and cart. Leo took very good care of these ponies. He has a great love for horses, and has attended many Saunders County Fairs in recent years with his ponies and wagon, giving friends and family an opportunity to participate in the fair parade with him. After graduation, he began farming with his father near Ithaca. Leo married Faith Dech, a school teacher, at Memphis, Nebr., October 17, 1943.

   Faith is also a descendant of pioneer Saunders County people. Her great-grandfather, William Dech, and grandfather, William H. Dech, were among the first settlers at Ithaca, Nebr. Her parents, Cleon and Edna, spent most of their lives in Saunders County. Leo and Faith's first home was in Ithaca. They lived on farms near Ithaca and Swedeburg until 1948 when they moved to the Smith family farm near Ithaca.

   Alan Leo, the oldest son, was born May 13, 1945, while Leo and Faith lived on a farm near Ithaca. Alan is now a florist in Springfield, Missouri.

   Kenneth John was born while living near Swedeburg, July 27, 1948. Kenneth is married to Roma Swanson and lives on the Smith Farm today. Ken is a Saunders County Supervisor. Roma works in the Register of Deeds Office in Saunders County. They have one son, Heath, born August 10, 1977.

   Steven Cleon was born September 29, 1954, while the family lived on the Smith farm. Steven is married to Bonnie Anderson from Geneva. He is a real estate broker and property manager for Hub Hall Real Estate in Lincoln, including Edgewood shopping center. Bonnie is a business teacher in Southeast High School in Lincoln.

   Leo was on the school board of District 29, that he attended as a boy, and where all of his sons went to school. Leo and Faith were members of the Ithaca United Methodist Church. Leo served as superintendent of the Sunday school. Faith was adult and juvenile choir director, a vocal soloist at many events and children's superintendent and treasurer of the Sunday School. Faith was also clerk for the Ithaca town board.

   Leo worked for many years at the Wahoo Livestock Auction Market, was employed by the Richter Feed lots in Mead, and was a guard at the Ordnance plant at Mead. He has farmed all these years, too, and now has been joined by Kenneth in the farming operation.

   Leo and Faith moved to Wahoo in 1972. Faith is the head librarian of the Wahoo Public Library. Future plans are for a quiet, peaceful retirement in the home built in Wahoo in 1975. Written by Faith Dech Smith

   In 1918, my father, Ward Smith, brought his family to the Gilkeson farm on Wahoo Creek southeast of Memphis. We moved there from a farm near Gretna in Sarpy County. A year later, I started to school (District 110). Mildred Hayes of Wahoo was my first teacher. My brothers, Harold and Lendell, were students there through the tenth grade when they enrolled in Ashland High School.

   When I was a third-grader, we moved to the Coleman farm three miles west of town and in another school district. That necessitated a change in schools which was undesired, but I soon became acquainted with my new schoolmates at District 41 and we still went to Memphis on business and to visit. Our cream was sold to George Baker, druggist, who tested it for butterfat. Mr. Ehlers was the banker. We bought lumber and hardware from Anderson and Moulzen. Many good times were had in the hall over Clouse's General Store. It was there I won the "most popular young lady" contest, only because I had a doting grandfather and family who bought lots of tickets! (Purchasers indicated their choice on tickets.)

   I remember suppers held in the church basement. Dad sang tenor in the choir and in a mixed quartet. The alto and soprano were Edith and Mabel Mays and Mr. Jerome, depot agent, sang bass. Pianist was Mrs. Roy (Emma) Owen.

   After one severe snowstorm, my mother took me in the wagon while my father took my brothers in the Model T to Memphis so they could take the train to school. She drove the horses through snowdrifts until one was so high she doubted the team would go through, and enlisted the aid of a farmer who drove them through and I got to school. When mother got home, there by the heating stove sat my father and brothers; they had missed the train to Ashland.

   Besides maintaining a 360-acre farm with the help of my brothers and of my hard-working mother, Dad raised purebred Poland China hogs. He acquired some good breeding stock, but misfortune struck when a sow was exposed to cholera. He lost every hog, which amounted to a large financial loss. So he sold out. We moved to Omaha where my brothers were living and attending business college, arriving there on New Year's Day, 1925.

   While only six years of my life were lived in Saunders County, that period holds warm memories. My brothers have their own memories of school days, playing football and baseball at Ashland High, and cutting ice on Memphis. (Harold died in August but his eulogy stated that he liked to recall his life on the farm.) By Gladys Smith Kirchner

   Patricia Lea Webb, daughter of Roy and Laura Webb, and Ralph Martin Snell were married in the Ashland Methodist Church June 18, 1960. Patricia worked in the Extension Division at UNL at the time of her marriage.

Ralph and Patricia Snell, June 18, 1960

   John J. Snyder (Schneider), son of Johann Theobald Schneider, was born on 25 June 1852 at Wellesley, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada. His mother was Helene Magdalene Schcöll. John came to the United States about 1880-81, travelling by boxcar and bringing with him a horse and farm equipment for his sister and brother-in-law. According to the 1871 census of Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada he was an apprentice shoemaker. He engaged in farming in the United States. He married Rosa Hannah Rometsch at Fremont, Nebraska on 20 April 1882. According to their marriage license, he was living at Jalapa, Dodge County, Nebraska which is a community north of Fremont and west of Nickerson, Rosa Hannah Rometsch was born 13 January 1864, daughter of John Gottfried Rometsch and Dorothea Kaufmann. She was baptized "Johanna Justine Rosalie" at Trinity Evangel-

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