Anna Masek

Notes:

(Research):From US GenWeb
Saunders County, Nebraska Family Stories
Jiri and Katerina MASEK
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nesaunde/1983hist/saco83-p320.html

Jiri (George), 1827-1914, and Katerina Pokorny Masek, 1831-1915, left Sedlec, Snojmo, Moravia and came to the United States in 1876 with their six children: Anton, Frank, Charles, Katerina, Anna and John. Jiri was a wheelwright in Moravia. Upon arriving in New York, Jiri was told he would make great use of his anvil in Nebraska.

Jiri homesteaded in Elk Precinct. His farm was near the Oxbow Trail. He used the anvil while repairing the wagons of settlers who passed by on the trail. This anvil is now in the possession of a great-grandson. The settlers passing did a lot of Jiri's farming in exchange for his blacksmith work. Jiri added to his homestead and became a wealthy farmer.

The oldest son, Anton, married Antonia Novacek. Their first child, Sophia, was born on the ocean voyage to America. The other children were Frank, Mary Ann Novacek, Joseph F., Anna Dudek, Anton J., and George A. Many of his descendants live in the Valparaiso area.

Frank, the second son, died at age 39, unmarried. He was a talented musician.

Charles, the third child, married Rose Dufek and had 12 children. They were Thomas, Agnes Krchnavy, Anton, Emilie, Charles, Mary Chmelka, James, Bessie Birkel, Paul, Emil Frank, Della Navratil, and Helen Sloup. Charles lived in Butler County, and spelled his name "Mashek."

Katerina, the fourth child, married John J. Scholz. She died a month after her only son's birth. The son, John, was raised by his grandparents and John and Emma Masek.

Anna, the fifth child, married John Vachal. They lived in Saunders County. Their children were Mary Phillips, John Jr., Agnes Racek, Charles, 2 infants, names unknown, and Adolph.

John, the sixth son, married Emma Kubik. (See John Masek.)

A grandson remembers that Katerina was a small but spunky woman. She never learned to read or write, Czech or English. But she made the best rye bread he has ever eaten.

George and Katerina, in their extreme old age, moved to Weston to live with their retired son, Anton. George died of old age, complicated by a broken hip, at the age of 87. Katerina died in 1915 at the age of 84. Submitted by Gladys Masek Cajka

Anna married Jan "John" Vachal about 1894. Jan was born between 1869 and 1871 in Bohemia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Marie Vachal was born in Jan 1895 in Nebraska; and died.
2. Jan "John" F. Vachal was born on 10 May 1896 in Prague, Saunders County, Nebraska; died on 31 Jul 1984 in North Bend, Dodge County, Nebraska; was buried on 3 Aug 1984 in Czech National (Killian) Cemetery, Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska.
3. Aneska "Agnes" Vachal was born on 6 Oct 1898 in Prague, Saunders County, Nebraska; died on 14 Jan 1977 in North Bend, Dodge County, Nebraska; was buried in Czech National (Killian) Cemetery, Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska.
4. Charles Vachal was born on 23 Nov 1900 in Saunders County, Nebraska; died in Jun 1970 in Colon, Saunders County, Nebraska.
5. Adolph Vachal was born about 1912 in Saunders County, Nebraska; and died.