Wesley E. Buzek

Notes:

"Wes attended School District #33 for three years, then the family moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado. When they returned they lived in Milligan, where Wes finished his schooling, graduating in 1946. He entered the service in October, 1951. His basic training was at Camp Roberts, California, and from there he was stationed in Korea. He was discharged in April, 1953. After returning to the states, he worked as a farmer and ran a corn sheller. In 1970, he purchased the Louis Varva farm in Liberty Township." (Milligan, p 232).

Obituary, Lincoln Journal Star Archives, courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy

Buzek -Wesley E., 73, Exeter, died Friday (1/3/03) in Geneva. Born, Exeter (3/10/29) to Edward and Mollie (Placek).

Survivors:wife, Lorene; stepsons, Richard Kottas, Exeter, Robert Kottas, Milligan; stepdaughters, spouse, Beverly Mohlman, Ohiowa, Marilyn and Brian Srajhans, Tobias; sister, brother-in-law, Lorene and Donald Sluka, Fairmont; seven stepgrandchildren; stepgreat-grandson.

Services:10:30 a.m. Monday, Milligan Auditorium, Milligan. Military graveside services, Bohemian National Cemetery, Milligan. Tessa Louch officiating. Visitation:beginning 1 p.m. Sunday, Farmer & Son Funeral Home, Kotas Chapel, Milligan. Memorials in lieu of flowers to the family

Wesley married Lorene Emily Elznic on 25 Sep 1985 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Lorene (daughter of Anton F. "Fred" Elznic and Mary Paroubek) was born on 19 Jul 1937 in Tobias, Saline County, Nebraska; died on 27 Jul 2023 in Fairmont, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He attended rural school in District #85 and then remained at home to farm (p 224).

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Nebraska, Fillmore County, Liberty Twp
ED 30-21 SD 11 Sheet 3A Stamped 120
48-48
Buzek, Edward Head M W 30 M 26 Neb Czech Czech Farmer
Buzek, Mollie Wf F W 28 M 24 Neb Neb Neb
Buzek, Wesley Son M W 1 S Neb Neb Neb

Edward married Mollie Placek on 16 Feb 1926 in Fillmore County, Nebraska. Mollie (daughter of Fred Placek and Mary Hodek) was born on 27 Mar 1902 in Liberty Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 17 Sep 2001. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mollie attended grade school in the ZCJB Lodge building and then went to the new school through the eighth grade. After this, she remained at home to care for her mother, young brothers and sisters. She enrolled in one of the many sewing classes held in Milligan. She enjoyed embroidery and during the First World War, she and her mother knitted sweaters and gloves for the soldiers overseas. (Milligan, p 224).

Notes:

Married:
They were married at the Fillmore County Courthouse, attended by Helene Placek and Milo Buzek. After their marriage, they farmed in Northeast Saline County, then in Liberty Township in Fillmore County, and in Fort Morgan, Colorado. They had moved to Colorado to to Mollie's severe asthma. They returned to Nebraska after a year in Colorado. (Milligan, p 224).

Notes:

Paul was born in the village of Brandlyn, near the town of Dacice, in Jihlava County, Moravia. He came to America at the age of nine with his parents, Pavel and Marie Riha Buzek. They settled first in Red Oak, Iowa, moving to Saline County, Nebraska in 1870, taking up a homestead on the N1/2 NE1/4 of Section 18 in Turkey Creek Township. Paul went to rural school district #59. His teachers were Albert and William Young, Walter Howarth, and Mary Doyle. The school term was 60 to 80 days. When there was work to be done in the fields, the schools were closed. (Milligan, p 228).

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Turkey Creek Precinct
Enumerated 18 Apr 1910
SD ED 132 Sheet 1A Stamped 169
4-4
Buzek, Paul Head m W 49 m1 22 Aust Bohemia Aust Bohemia Aust Bohemia 1870 English Farmer
Buzek, Anna Wf F W 42 m1 22 16/15 Aust Bohemia Aust Bohemia Aust Bohemia 1880 Bohemian
Buzek, William Son M W 21 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia Farm Laborer Home Farm
Buzek, Emma Dtr F W 19 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia Dressmaker Shop
Buzek, Rudolph Son M W 18 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia Farm Laborer Home Farm
Buzek, Abbie Dtr F W 16 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Bohumil Son F (sic) W 15 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Alice Dtr F W 14 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Lous Son M W 13 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Gerald Son M W 11 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Edward Son M W 10 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Anna Dtr F W 8 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Mary Dtr F W 7 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Whilamena Dtr F W 6 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Miloslav Son M W 5 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Miloslava Dtr F W 2 S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia
Buzek, Emil Son M W 8/12 S S Neb AustBohemia AustBohemia

1920 Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Turkey Creek Precinct
Enumerated 10 and 12 Jan 1920
SD 4 ED 141 Sheet 3A
51-51
Buzek, Paul Head M W 58 M 1870 Na Moravia/Bohemian Moravia/Bohemia Moravia/Bohemian Farmer
Buzek, Anna Wf F W 52 M 1880 Na Bohemia/Bohamia Bohemia/Bohemian Moravia/Bohemian
Buzek, William Son M W 31 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian Farmer
Buzek, Abbie M Dtr F W 26 S S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian Saleswoman Dry Goods Store
Buzek, Alice W Dtr F W 24 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian
Buzek, Harry Son M W 21 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian Laborer Home Farm
Buzek, Edward Son M W 20 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian Laborer Home Farm
Buzek, Anna E Dtr F W 18 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian
Buzek, Marie E Dtr F W 17 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian
Buzek, Wilma A Dtr F W 16 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian
Buzek, Milo Son M W 14 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian
Buzek, Mildred Dtr F W 12 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian
Buzek, Emil Son M W 11 S Neb Moravia/Bohemian Bohemia/Bohemian

Pavel married Anna Marie Braum on 15 Dec 1887 in Fillmore County, Nebraska. Anna (daughter of Joseph Braum and Terezie Zeman) was born on 15 Nov 1868 in Stra?ec?, Bohemia; died on 13 Aug 1925 in Turkey Creek, Liberty Township, Saline County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of Joseph and Terezie Zeman Braum. She came to American with her parents in 1880 and settled in section 31 in Liberty Township, Fillmore County. (History of Milligan, Nebraska, p 228)

Notes:

Married:
Groom's Name: Parel Buzek Groom's Birth Date: 1861 Groom's Birthplace: Bohemia Groom's Age: 26 Bride's Name: Anna Braum Bride's Birth Date: 1867 Bride's Birthplace: Bohemia Bride's Age: 20 Marriage Date: 15 Dec 1887 Marriage Place: Geneva, Fillmore, Nebraska Groom's Father's Name: Parel Buzek Groom's Mother's Name: May Rika Bride's Father's Name: Joseph Braum Bride's Mother's Name: Tuzie Zeman Groom's Race: White Groom's Marital Status: Groom's Previous Wife's Name: Bride's Race: White Bride's Marital Status: Bride's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M00315-4 System Origin: Nebraska-EASy Source Film Number: 1986904 Reference Number: N1197 P123 Collection: Nebraska Marriages, 1855-1995

Paul and Anna had 16 children in their first 22 year of marriage. To provide for the family a large garden was planted which the children helped to hoe and weed. Potatoes, onions, squash, pumpkins, and carrots were put in the cellar under the house for winter use. They had a variety of fruit trees and grapes in their orchard. Five to seven cows were milked every day and they churned their own butter. Chicken and duck eggs were set under hens to hatch. Sometimes they had 24 hens setting at one time. Later the family purchased two incubators. Paul raised Red Polled cattle and hogs. There was a smoke house north of the house which was used to smoke bacon and ham everytime Paul and the sons butchered. The older girls did the cooking and baking. Four large loaves of bread were baked every day. (History of Milligan, Nebraska, pp. 228-229)

Fred married Mary Hodek on 26 Sep 1896 in Fillmore County, Nebraska. Mary (daughter of Frank Hodek and Anna Biba) was born on 2 Nov 1879 in Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 4 Jun 1925; was buried in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary, being the oldest granddaughter of John and Mary HODEK, was given her grandparents 160 acre farm in 1896. There were many stipulations with the gift. Her grandparents received the right to continue to live on the farm, and have use of all the buildings and pastures. They were to receive a percentage of all items grown on the farm, as well as a payment of $60 each January 1. Additionally, Mary agreed to pay her sister, Anna Hodek, $1000.

Notes:

Pavel and Marie Riha Buzek left Moravia in 1868--settling first in Red Oak, Iowa--and later moving to Saline County, Nebraska. Pavel filed a claim to the 80 acres of land on which they were living on October 17, 1870. He claimed the N 1/2 NE 1/4 of Section 18 in Turkey Creek Township. Here he built a home that was 12 by 16 feet wide with two doors and four windows. He also built a 12 by 40 foot stable and an eight by ten foot granary, along with a corn crib. A well of 50 feet was dug, and an acre of forest trees and several fruit trees were planted as well. His claim became final by December 10, 1877, two years after he had become a citizen. In 1882, he sold his homestead for $1100 to Frederick Weber and purchased 80 acres from the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad company, purchasing another 160 acres from them in 1886.

After Pavel's wife died, he heard of land being available in Wisconsin, on the stipulation that the land be cleared of tree stumps. He made himself a sledge hammer and moved there to stake his claim. He returned home after eight years, discouraged. He was an old man and was unable to hold claim to the land he cleared. (Milligan, p 229).

At the time of the 1900 Federal census, Paul can be found in Flambeau, Chippewa County, Wisconsin. He was a boarder in the home of Frank Caloud of Bohemia. Paul was listed as born in Bohemia in January 1824, age 76, widowed. He was shown as a naturalized citizen, immigrating in 1870.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1880 Census
Nebraska, Saline County, Turkey Creek Precinct
Enumerated 8 Jun 1880
Page 3 SD 1 ED 217 Stamped 61
23-24
Buzek, Paul W M 54 Farmer Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia
Buzek, Mary W F 48 Wf Keeping House Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia
Buzek, Paul W M 19 Son At Home Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia
Buzek, Thomas W M 16 Son At Home Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia
Buzek, Mary W F 9 Dtr Neb Bohemia Bohemia

Pavel married Marie Riha. Marie was born in Jun 1830 in Moravia; died on 21 Feb 1887 in Nebraska; was buried in Tvrz Homestead, Saline County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Joseph, Terezie and their three children, Johanna, Anna, and Joseph left Bohemia and sailed to America in 1879. Joseph purcahsed land from the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad company on February 5, 1880 to purchase land at the S 1/2 NW 1/4 in Section 31 of Liberty Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Turkey Creek flowed through the middle of their eighty acres. The high bank along the creek gave them protection from the winds. Joseph was a farmer and brick maker. Along the banks of the Turkey Creek they must have found clay of such quality that it could be used for brickmaking. They imprinted a large "B" on each of the bricks they made. Joseph's bricks can still be found in the chimneys and walls of cellars and homes in the neighborhood. In 1889, the Braums decided to leave Nebraska and travel to the Oklahome territory for free land. The Braums settled into what was later to become Oklahoma City. In 1891, they sold their farm in Nebraska to Frank Keberle, whose family still owns that land. (Milligan, p 209)



(Research):

FamilySearch 1880 Census

Census Place:Liberty, Fillmore, Nebraska
Source:FHL Film 1254748 National Archives Film T9-0748
Page 50
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Joseph BRAUM Self M M W 47 BOHEMIA Occ:Farmer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Therssia BRAUM Wife F M W 38 BOHEMIA Occ: Keeping House Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Johana BRAUM Dau F W 14 BOHEMIA Occ: At HomeFa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Anna BRAUM Dau F S W 12 BOHEMIA Occ:At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Joseph BRAUM Son M S W 9 BOHEMIA Occ:At School Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Frank PETRACESK Other M W 19 BOHEMIA Occ:Laborer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA

Joseph married Terezie Zeman after 1863 in Bohemia. Terezie was born on 2 Aug 1843 in Pricina, Rakovnik, Praha, Bohemia; died on 29 Apr 1926 in Nebraska; was buried in Fair Lawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Terezie was the daughter of Frank and Anna Tryner Zeman. She was an industrious woman, her always tidy despite the fact the walls and floor were dirt. After she was widowed, Terezie returned to Nebraska to live with her daughter, Anna Buzek, in 1923. She spent most of her days stripping feathers to be used in pillows and feather comforters for her family. (Milligan, p 209 - 210).

Notes:

The son of John HODEK and Anna KOUDELA, he came to America with his parents, first living in Illinois and coming to Fillmore County in 1874, settling in section 10 of Glengary Township where they farmed. (Milligan, p 301).

Frank married Anna Biba on 27 Dec 1875 in Glengary Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Anna (daughter of Tomas Biba and Barbora Urbanek) was born on 10 Oct 1859 in Zebnice, Plzen, Bohemia; died on 10 Jun 1915 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried in Bohemian Brethren Cemetery (AKA Cesky Bratri Cemetery), Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
They were married by Justice of the Peace D.S. Robinson at the HODEK home. The HODEK and BIBA families were neighbors. After their marriage, they lived with Frank's parents, later moving with them to Liberty Township. Frank and Anna purchased their own farm in 1883, at the NW 1/4 and N 1/2 SW 1/4 of Section 16 of Exeter Township. They built a two story home for their family. Later a machine shed, chicken coop, and barn were added. The barn was cleaned and swept every day (Milligan, p 301).