This text taken from the December 16, 1992 issue of The Crete News

Znamenaceks come to Saline County in 1868

submitted by
Clarence Moore of Wilber
Grace (Znamenacek) Portsche of Lincoln
and Millie Znamenacek of Crete

Znamenacek family follows son to America and Saline County

Among the earliest settlers in Saline County were the Znamenaceks who descended from Josef and Ludmila Znamenacek.

Josef Znamenacek was the son of Josef and Katerina (Stepnickova) Znamenacek of Czechoslovakia. Ludmila was the daughter of Frantisek and Katerina (Brabcova) Stolar, who owned a famous glass factory in Czechoslovakia.
Josef and Ludmila (Stolar) Znamenacek were the parents of nine children. Six of them, born between the years of 1844 and 1857, grew to adulthood. They were Frank, who married Anna Zajicek in Crete; Marie, who married James Skolil, Joseph, who married Anna Zajic; Anastasie/Anna, who married Vincent Dvorak and had two children; John, who married Rose Prussa and had five children; and Rose, who married John Huncovsky. John, Anastasie and Rose all moved away from the area.
This history follows the lives of the oldest three children, Frank, Marie and Joseph.
Joseph and Ludmila's son Frank Znamenacek was the first to come to America. Then he sent for his parents, his brother Joseph, and his sisters. His brother John Znamenacek homesteaded in Canada and is buried there. He died in a house fire.
Ludmilla Stolar had a degree in food therapy in Czechoslovakia, and helped organize the University of Nebraska Home Economics Department at Lincoln.

Znamenaceks build one cabin to serve three homesteads

After the Znamenaceks arrived in Saline County in 1868, they constructed a corner cabin that was located on three homesteads marking an 80-acre homestead for Frank, an 80-acre homestead for his brother Joseph, and an 80-acre homestead for his sister Mary.

The cabin was built over the common corner of the three 80s, according to Frank Znamenacek's grandson Clarence Moore of Wilber. They were located on the north half of the northwest quarter; on the south half of the northwest quarter; and on the north half of the northeast quarter, all in Section 20.

This corner cabin was situated right on an ancient Indian trail. It was on the divide of the watershed between the Big Blue and Turkey Creek. The trail came up from the Blue River, then across the divide and through a draw, down to Turkey Creek. That way the Indians never were on the horizon very long.
This cabin site was south of the present Farmland plant and west of the Czech memorial marker on Highway 103.
Znamenaceks kept on good terms with the Indians by giving them some food when they asked for it.

After they proved up on their claims, Frank Znamenacek started his farmstead on the west edge of his 80 acres. Brother Joseph Znamenacek moved to the northeast corner for his farmstead, and sister Mary Znamenacek, after marrying James Skolil, moved to the southeast quarter of Section 20. After proving up her claim, she sold her 80-acre homestead to her brother Joseph Znamenacek. The Frank Znamenacek house that was built; in the 1880s, with lumber hauled from Nebraska City, still stands today, but is very run down.
This is the Lumir Lisec place today. James Slama owns the land where Joseph lived, and Mary Krupicka is the owner of the land that Mary Znamenacek homesteaded.

Frank Znamenacek's story printed in 1911 Czech paper

Frank Znamenacek wrote the story of his family's arrival in America and in Nebraska in an article which appeared in the Feb.15, 1911, issue of the Hospodar, a Czech language newspaper. The Hospodar article follows:

Frank Znamenacek tells his story

I was born on Sept. 14, 1844, in Macovice, in the township of Vranov, county of Benesov, district of Tabor, in Czechoslovakia. Around 1848, even my father took part in the peasant uprising. After its conclusion, there began talk of America, and often one would hear that this person or that person had moved to America

After my father sold his property, in about four installments, and in doing this, lost everything, and I was unable to keep up further schooling. Being left to my own resources, I, too, entertained the notion of leaving for America. Of course, I did not have the means for this, since I was only 11 years old. But already at that age I made up my mind that as soon as I earned enough money for it I was going to go to America.

Journey begins with a walk to Prague

In 1862 I found that I had enough for the journey and I applied for a permit to go to America. In March of 1863, several other countrymen and I traveled to Prague. Although we had a conveyance, we walked; the luggage only did we have on the wagon.
We got all the way to Prague safely, and we immediately set out on the journey to Bremen to the firm of Kares and Stocky. From there we traveled by sailing vessel. After eight weeks of ever constant storms, we arrived in Baltimore. After a week's delay, until they repaired the railroad tracks over which we were to travel (it was during the Civil War and train connections were disrupted), we got safely to Cincinnati, Ohio, where we were headed.
I stayed there three years. I sent money to my parents for their journey, and at their request, I traveled back to Baltimore to get them. I intended to get my father settled on a farm, since he was most qualified for this and was experienced from the old country. When I was unable to keep them interested in farming, we left for St. Louis, where we stayed about a year.

At that time, greater multitudes of countrymen were arriving. I proposed to them that they settle on farms, many of them accepted this proposition. In the spring, my father and Mathias Dahozal went on ahead with the understanding that if it were favorable we would follow with our families after them.
When after having sent out my brother Josef, we received favorable news, about eight of us families set out toward the end of August by steamboat on the Missouri River to Nebraska City, where there was at the time a land office where one could claim plots of land for homesteads.
When we got off the boat, we rented a place to live and we stayed there until we were able to leave for our claimed homesteads. Father bought a team of Mexican oxen, very wild indeed, for $150, with a yoke and led on ropes. They let them out of their corral for us, and I still remember today how we chased them all over town, until we chased them into a thicket where they came to a standstill, and only then were we able to tether them and feed them.

Second night in Saline County spent at Mr. Sestak's place

Then we traveled to our homesteads, I and my brother Josef to Saline County to make hay for the winter and prepare some wood for a building. On the second day we were already 80 miles distant. Here we stayed overnight at Mr. Sestak's (current spelling Shestak) and we tasted Nebraska fruit-wild plums—which tasted excellent.
Next day we traveled to our homesteads. We cut hay with a handy scythe, and we dragged in some wood for a building. In addition to that, we walked about four miles to stay overnight at the home of Mr. W. Havlicek.
After 14 days we returned again to Nebraska City where father bought an almost new wagon. the loaded up implements and we drove to the homestead.
With the help of neighbors, we built a dwelling. And Mr. Dahozal, who still lives here today, settled here also, whereas Messrs. Chmelir, Vana, Najman and others settled around the present town of Wilber and in the surrounding area Now our numbers began increasing.
I, of course, stayed in Nebraska City with my brother, and we were employed until things froze over,so that we could help out with the livelihood. When we returned home, we learned that one of Dad's oxen had died. So I purchased another team of oxen on my own, and leaving Dad to break, sod, I went back to work. When I came home after harvest, Dad already had a crop of corn and I had about 10 acres under cultivation

Corn crop planted with axe in three days

Then came my turn, and after establishing a dwelling place, even I began farming. Buying a sod-breaking plow and replowing last year's sod, I planted corn, namely with an axe I chopped grooves, one long step apart, Into very third row, and into each hill dropped three kernels of corn. In this manner, I planted three acres of corn daily, and in three days I was finished planting the entire crop.
Taking an axe, I drove into the forest for wood. I trimmed a piece until it was about four to seven footprints long. In the rear I put a crosspiece, and in front I joined both ends (of this crosspiece) together. With an auger, I drilled holes (into the crosspiece) and drove wooden spikes into them. I attached a chain, hitched up the oxen, and instead of cultivating, I was harrowing, that is, whenever it was necessary.
Likewise, I plowed up 20 additional acres, and thus I had a start.

The reaper was expensive

The next year I also sowed wheat and together with Dad we bought a reaper, still expensive at that time, so that we could use it for mowing hay. We were then making progress already. Of course, we were dependent on helping one another during threshing time, for nobody was well off, that he could handle it without the help of a neighbor and to this day, it is still done that way.
At that lime we also got the Burlington & Missouri Railroad here and then we were already able to obtain whatever we most needed.
On December 14, 1873, I changed my single status and was united in marriage to Anna Zajicek. Together we went through further hardships and delights of life, until 1908, when, on August 13, she passed away, leaving behind, me, three daughters and three sons who were minors, which I am raising the best way I know how.
(The Crete News Is grateful to Elmer Nemec of Crete for the preceding translation of the 1911 Hospodar article.)

Frank Znamenacek first Czech teacher in Saline County

Joseph and Ludmila's son Frank Znamenacek is believed to be the first public school teacher of Czech descent in Saline County. After arriving in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1862, at about the age of 18, he had attended school for a short time to learn English. During 1863 and 1864 he was employed in a bakery, making bread and crackers for the government to be given to the soldiers according to Rose Rosicky's History of Czechs in Nebraska.

By 1869 Frank Znamenacek was teaching at the new District 3 school which was situated in a small log cabin building on the Joseph Jelinek farm, south of Crete. Called the Calvin School, it was located near the present Kubicek farm.
Frank Znamenacek also served as first justice of the peace and first tax collector in the County, his family relates, noting that when he traveled from town to town, he walked so as not to tire his horses, and went barefoot, so as not to wear out his shoes.

The descendants of Frank Znamenacek and Anna Zajicek

Frank Znamenacek was married to Anna Zajicek, daughter of Anton and Josephine (Veverka) Zajicek on Dec. 4, 1873, at Crete. He was 29 years old and she was 17. The couple had 13 children, seven of whom died young, They were Otilie (1st), Karel (1st), Nettie, Frank (1st), Mary, Anna, Frank (2nd), Ludmila Libuse, Otilie (2nd), Vlasta, George Vladimir, Karel Frank and Miles Znamenacek.
Son Frank Znamenacek (1st), died in 1880 at the age of 5 months. Otilie (1st), the oldest daughter, died of pneumonia 10 years later in 1890 at age 15. Otilie (2nd) died in 1892 at age 2.
Four more of the children died in 1894, at least three of them from diphtheria. They were Karel (1st), who was 17 years old; Frank (2nd), who was 9; Ludmila Libuse, who was 6; and Vlasta, who was 2
The remaining children were Netilie/Nettie, Marie/Mary, Anna, George, Karel (2nd) and Miles.

Nettie Znamenacek marries Frank Vetrovsky

Netilie/Nettie Znamenacek (1878-1968) married Frank Vetrovsky. They farmed near the community of Virginia for a few years, then came to live on a farm just north of Sestak. They had no children.

Mary Znamenacek marries Frank Moore

Marie/Mary Znamenacek (1881-1951) married Frank Moore and they lived three miles south of the old homestead. Their children were Clarence, Marion, Frank, Nora and George Moore.
Clarence Moore married Ellie Divoky and they had one child, Betty Jean Moore.
Betty Jean Moore married Robert Pecka and had three children, Donna, Jeanette and Gerald Pecka.
Marlon Moore married Hilda Koth who died in 1951, and Vivian Bradley, who died in 1989. Marion's children are Tana and Bradley Moore. Bradley has a son Christopher Moore.
Frank Moore married Wilma Liebers and had three children, Cheryl, Nancy and Diane Moore. They lived in Casper, Wyo.
Nora Moore married Wilson Smith and had two children, Ronald and Gary Smith. They live at Laguna Hills, Calif.
George Moore married Doris Brinson and had two children, Gertrude and Tom Moore. George Moore died in 1989.

Anna Znamenacek marries Frank Svoboda

Anna Znamenacek married Frank Svoboda and they farmed southeast of Virginia. They had six children, Libuse, George, Frank, Nethelle, Sylvia and Arthur Svoboda Libuse died as an infant. Arthur and George are also deceased.
Libuse Svoboda died as an infant.
George Svoboda is deceased.
Frank Svoboda married Georgia Etnyre and had five children, Bill, Jean, Wayne, Gail and Peggy Svoboda.
Nethelle Svoboda married Walley Ellis and had one child, Roger Ellis.
Sylvia Svoboda married Vern Barton. They had no children.
Arthur Svoboda married Connie Crosbie and had four children, Lynn, Susan, David and Julie Svoboda

George Vladimir Znamenacek marries Evelyn Tavis

George Vladimir Znamenacek (1897-1951) married Evelyn Tavis of Crete and had eight children, Merlyn, Kenneth, Lois, Leon, JoAnn, Larry, Nancy and Roger Znamenacek. George Znamenacek first farmed the old homestead, then operated an implement dealership in Crete. George Znamenacek served on the Crete City Council 10 years, from 1941 to 1951, and two of his sons were also city officials.
Merlyn Znamenacek married Virginia Wilson and had five children, Sherry, Danny, Debra, Linda and Gregory Znamenacek. Merlyn Znamenacek then married Toni Jindra. Merlin Znamenacek was a member of the Crete City Council from 1957 to 1960.
Kenneth Znamenacek married Charlotte Bauer and had four children. Patty, Susan, Connie and Sandy Znamenacek. Kenneth Znamenacek, who operated an egg and feed business in Crete, served as mayor of Crete from 1982 to 1986.
Lois Znamenacek married Gene Owens and had one child, Teri Owens. Lois then married Gene Speck.
Leon Znamenacek is deceased.
JoAnn Znamenacek married Robert Renner and had eight children, Kay, Christine, James, Karen, Robert, Gary, Michael and Lisa Renner.
Larry Znamenacek married Elsie Heesom and had six children, Karen, Dianna, Julie, Jani, Michael and Teresa Znamenacek.
Nancy Znamenacek married Joseph Jones and had three children, Lisa, David and Joseph Jones Jr.
Roger Znamenacek married Judy Wanek and had two children, Allan and Andrew Znamenacek. Roger Znamenacek then married Janice Bargman and had three children, Sarah Amy and David Bargman.

Karel Frank Znamenacek marries Millie Penkava

Karel Frank Znamenacek (19001983) married Millie Penkava and had nine children, Arlene Millie, Robert Karel, Melvin Frank, Lorraine Jean, Eugene Kenneth, Betty Jane, Richard Lyle, Karel/Karl Francis, and Elaine Ann Znamenacek.
Arlene Znamenacek married Gerald Frederick Kerst and had two children. Jeffrey Scott and Brian Lee Kerst.
Robert Znamenacek married Shirley Jean Kotas and had three children, Denise Shirley, Dayle Robert and Delorie Marie Znamenacek.
Melvin Znamenacek married Carol Ann Mundt and had four children Scott Michael, Darren James, Ryan Lee and Cheryl Marie Znamenacek.
Lorraine Znamenacek married Larry Lee Rerucha and had a son, Randy Lee Rerucha
Eugene Znamenacek is not married.
Betty Znamenacek married John Luers and had a daughter Donna Sue Luers.
Richard Znamenacek married Suzanne Lynn Vyhnalek and had two children, Christine and Mark Andrew Znamenacek.
Karel Znamenacek married Linda Jose and had three children, Todd Karel, Steven Eugene and Brad Everett Znamenacek.
Elaine Znamenacek married LeRoy R. Bartu and had a child, Terry Lee Bartu. She married Marvin Wheeler, who had four children, Marvin Dee, Jodi, Sheri and Dale Wheeler, and they had a daughter, Janelle Ann Wheeler.

Miles Znamenacek marries Helen O'Connor

Miles Znamenacek (1903-1992) married Helen O'Connor in Washington, D.C. and had two children, Frances and Miles Znamenacek jr.
Frances Znamenacek married Mr. Nice. She had four children, Maggie, Patty, Debbie and Bridget.
Miles Znamenacek Jr, married Gloria and had one child, Diane Znamenacek,

The descendants of Joseph and Anna (Zajic) Znamenacek

Joseph Znamenacek married Anna Zajic and had 16 children, who include Bessie, Rose, Agnes, Joseph, Mikulas, Mary, Frank, Emil, Karel /Charles, Antoinette/Tonie, Lydia, Otilia, Fred and Helen Znamenacek. Twins died in infancy.
Joseph and Anna (Zajic) Znamenacek and three sons, Charlie, Frank and Emil, are buried in the family plot at Big Blue Cemetery in Saline County. Marie Zajic, Anna's mother, is also buried there.

Bessie Znamenacek marries Frank Hronik

Bessie Znamenacek married Frank Hronik and had two sons and three daughters, James, Edward, Agnes, Ida and Stella Hronik.
James Hronik married Olie Chalupa and had four daughters Norma, Lillian, Emily and Evelyn Hronik.
Edward Hronik married Blanche Koci and had four children, Doris Betty, Robert and Franklin Hronik.
Agnes Hronik married Adolph Janacek.
Ida Hronik married Ed Korbel and had four children, Alvin, Karen, Dallas and Denice Korbel.
Stella Hronik married Lumir Korbel and had a son Ronnie Korbel.

Rose Znamenacek marries Anton Vrbsky

Rose Znamenacek married Anton Vrbsky and had four children, Otilie Tony, Lydia and Rosetta.
Otilie Vrbsky married Brian Connelly and had a daughter Jacqueline Connelly. Otilie then married Ellis Shutts and had a son, Lynn Shutts.
Tony Vrbsky married Elsie Butts.
Lydia Vrbsky married Joseph Kumpost.
Rosetta Vrbsky married Ed Trotter and Art Freeman.

Agnes Znamenacek marries Joseph Pawlish

Agnes Znamenacek married Joseph Pawlish and had two children, Agnes and William Pawlish.
Agnes Pawlish married Edward Krupicka and had two daughters, Eleanor and Elaine Krupicka.
William Pawlish married Frances Slapnicka and had two daughters, Irene and Delores Pawlish William Pawlish remarried Frances Duba and had one daughter, Susan Pawlish. William Pawlish then married Viola and had two children, William and Barbara Pawlish

Joseph Znamenacek marries Anna Kalcik

Joseph Znamenacek married Anna Kalcik and had one daughter, Alma Znamenacek.
Alma Znamenacek married Edward Brhel and had three children, Joan, Lyndee and Danny Brhel

Frank, Emil and Charlie Znamenacek

Frank, Emil and Charlie Znamenacek never married. Charlie served in World War I.

Mary Znamenacek marries Frank Vavra

Mary Znamenacek married Frank Vavra and had two children, Libbie and Steve.
Libbie Vavra married Bill Murrell and had two daughters, Nancy and Mary/Molly Murrell.
Steve Vavra married Bernice Steward and had a son, James Vavra.

Mikulas Znamenacek marries Pauline Kozel

Mikulas Znamenacek married Pauline Kozel and had three children, Steven, Ladimar and Otilie/Holly Znamenacek.
Steven Znamenacek married Maxine Hauck and had a daughter, Susan Znamenacek. He was killed in World War II.
Ladimar Znamenacek died in infancy.
Otilie Znamenacek married Herbert Burrow.

Antoinette Znamenacek marries Gustave Wagner

Antoinette/Tonie Znamenacek married Gustave Wagner.

Lydia Znamenacek marries Frank Masek

Lydia Znamenacek married Frank Masek and had three children, Milo Floyd and Vera Masek.
Milo Masek married Marjorie Church had three children, Craig Scott and Laurie Masek.
Floyd Masek married Rita Otto and had six children, Michael Stephen, Bethany, Bruce, Melanie and Nathan Masek.
Vera Masek married Albert Shufeldt and had four children, Alan, Margaret. Beverly and Denis Shufeldt.

Otilia Znamenacek marries Joseph Janda

Otilia Znamenacek married Joseph Janda and had a daughter Vivian Janda.
Vivian Janda married Eugene Zajicek and had three children, Jon, Jeffrey and Susan Zajicek.

Fred Znamenacek marries Agnes Drevo

Fred Znamenacek married Agnes Drevo and had three children. Dorothy Grace and Lester Znamenacek.
Dorothy Znamenacek married Dale Trausch and had four children, Sheila, Terry, Jeffrey and Tammi Trausch.
Grace Znamenacek married Stanley L. Portsche and had four children, Debra, Randy C., Timothy and Julie Portsche.
Lester Znamenacek married Joann Horky and had three children Leslie, Kevin and Gerry Znamenacek.
Helen Znamenacek married Norman Bassett.

Mary Znamenacek moves from area

Marie/Mary Znamenacek married James Skolil and had five children.

She and her husband lived in the southeast part of Section 20 until their 7-year-old daughter was shot by a neighbor boy. To avoid a lynching, the boy's family packed up at night and left for Kansas

The Skolils then moved to the edge of Saline County, north of Crete. Their daughter was the first child buried in the Big Blue Cemetery.

This text taken from the December 16, 1992
issue of The Crete News