William Racek

Notes:

Rites Thursday For William Racek, 83

William Racek, 83, lifelong resident of Morse Bluff community, died Monday evening at the home of his daughter in Fremont.

Born at Morse Bluff December 23, 1876, he was the son of James and Veronica Racek. He was a farmer until retirement 34 years ago. He was a member of the ZCBJ Lodge and the Woodmen of the World.

Survivors are the widow, Agnes; daughter Mrs. George (Wilma) Havlovec, Fremont; three sisters, Mrs. John (Julia) Vachal, Morse Bluff; Mrs. Joe (Lizzie) Svec, Milligan, Mrs. Emma Virka, Cedar Bluffs.

Funeral services were at the Moser Funeral Home in North Bend Thursday at 2 pm. The Rev. Walter Millett officiated. Singers were George and Besie Novotny, accompanied by Mrs. Ralph Wilshusen at the organ.

Pallbearers were: Lewis Racek, Raymond Racek, Ed Virka, Delvin Lorenzen, Milo Buzek, and Lewis Tenopir.

Interment was in Killiam Cemetery.

(Undated, unreferenced newspaper clipping, courtesy of Caroline Mastny: date of 1960 handwritten on the article)

CZECH NATIONAL CEMETERY (also known as Killian Cemetery) located in Bohemian township in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Sec 23 Township 17, Range 5E of Saunders County, Nebraska.

Recorded on April 12, 1977 and completed on April 15, 1977 by Clarabelle Mares 1722 E 19 Fremont, Nebraska and assisted by Kathrine Petersen. Cemetery in very good condition. Working from front to back in rows.

Row 3 west to east

William Racek 1876 - 1960

William married Aneska "Agnes" Vachal on 16 Aug 1926 in David City, Butler County, Nebraska. Aneska (daughter of Jan "John" Vachal and Anna Masek) 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. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Agnes Racek was born about 1928 in Nebraska; died about 1936 in Nebraska; was buried in Czech National (Killian) Cemetery, Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska.
2. Wilma Racek was born on 25 Mar 1936 in Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska; died on 24 Jan 2002 in Fremont, Dodge County, Nebraska; was buried in Killian Cemetery, Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska.

Notes:

Czechs in Nebraska - Saunders County

Morse Bluff and Bohemian Precincts. (Data furnished by Frank Kaplan, Morse Bluff)

1869--The Following Came:

Matej Racek, Breskovice, Plzen, Jan. 6, 1818, came with five sons to Iowa in 1861. Died June 2, 1900.

Vaclav Racek, Breskovice, Plzen, Nov. 27, 1849, came with father to Iowa in 1861, died Nov. 18, 1908

James Racek, son of Mathias and Maria Racek, was born 11-27-1849 in Breskovice, Czechoslovakia, and came to the U.S. about 1861. He married Veronica Beznoska (born 2-4-1855). To them were born 4 sons: Frank, William, Edward, and Emil; and 5 daughters: Anna Tenopir, Emma Virka, Lizzie Hines Svec, Teresa, and Julie Vachal. James and Veronica lived all their lives on the homestead they acquired in 1874. James died 11-18-1908, and Veronica on 10-14-1946. (Unreferenced, undated xerox of a biography of Vaclav (James) and Veronka Racek. Courtesy of Caroline Mastny.

In a obituary published in Czech for Veronika, he was listed as Vaclava Racka.

CZECH NATIONAL CEMETERY (also known as Killian Cemetery) located in Bohemian township in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Sec 23 Township 17, Range 5E of Saunders County, Nebraska.

Recorded on April 12, 1977 and completed on April 15, 1977 by Clarabelle Mares 1722 E 19 Fremont, Nebraska and assisted by Kathrine Petersen. Cemetery in very good condition. Working from front to back in rows.

Row 3 west to east
Vaclav Racek Nov 1849 18 Nov 1908



(Research):Census InformationL

1880 Census

Census Place:Douglas, Saunders, Nebraska Source:FHL Film 12
54756
National Archives Film T9-0756 Page 37 RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
James RATSICK Self M M W 31 BOHEMIA Occ:Farmer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Flora RATSICK Wife F M W 25 BOHEMIA Occ: Keeps House Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Frank RATSICK Son M S W 9 NE Occ:At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Ann RATSICK Dau F S W 8 NE Occ:At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Willie RATSICK Son M S W 3 NE Occ:At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Eddie RATSICK Son M S W 2 NE Occ: At Home Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA

Vaclav married Veronika Beznoska in 1871. Veronika (daughter of Frantisek "Frank" Beznoska and Anna Krylova) was born on 4 Feb 1855 in Beroun, Stredocesk? kraj, Bohemia; died on 14 Oct 1946 in Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska; was buried in Czech National (Killian) Cemetery, Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She is listed as Veronika on the Czech immigration index and her tombstone, however later census listings variously show her as Sarah and as Flora.

Mrs. James Racek, born February 4, 1885 (sic), in Bohemia, died October 14, 1946, at the age 91 years, 8 months, 10 days. In 1871 she was married to James Racek. They settled on the homestead in Saunders County in 1869 near Morse Bluff where she resided until her death. Her husband preceded her in death 38 years ago. The were blessed with nine children. Three sons and one daughter preceded her in death. She is survived by one son and three daughters, William of Morse Bluff, Anna Tenopir of Geronimo, Oklahoma, Emma Virka, Morse Bluff, Lizzie Svec, Milligan and Julia Vachal, Morse Bluff, 26 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. One brother and three sisters preceded her in death. Funeral services were held at 1 pm from the Vachal home and at 1:30 pm from the ACBJ hall. Rev. B.A. Filipi of Clarkson officiated. Burial was made in the Killian cemetery.

A copy of an obituary, apparently written in Czech, lists her place of birth as Berouna v Plzenskem kraji. v Cechach.

Caroline noted that Veronika had a stroke in 1930, and was unable to walk or talk for the 16 years preceding her death.

(Courtesty of Caroline Mastny, Schuyler, Nebraska)


CZECH NATIONAL CEMETERY (also known as Killian Cemetery) located in Bohemian township in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Sec 23 Township 17, Range 5E of Saunders County, Nebraska.

Recorded on April 12, 1977 and completed on April 15, 1977 by Clarabelle Mares 1722 E 19 Fremont, Nebraska and assisted by Kathrine Petersen. Cemetery in very good condition. Working from front to back in rows.

Row 3 west to east
Veronika Racek 4 Feb 1855 14 Oct 1946

Notes:

He was the son of Mathias Raczek, a farmer, and Anna Simpartle, daughter of Simon Simpartl and Eva Kreplin of Stisch, Czechoslovakia.

The following is excerpted from a two page typewritten paper from the Racek reunion of June 25, 1972 (Courtesy of Caroline Mastny)

Great Grand Father Matias (Mike) and Great Grand Mother (Born Suchy) Racek, with their three sons Mike, Jim, and Joe, and one daughter who married a Mensik came to Nebraska about 1868. they came from Czechoslovakia to an Illinois town (unknown). There (he) worked for a cattle feeder for about a year. He outfitted them with a old team of horses, wagon with a cover and a horned cow, and 25 cents in their pockets. They got halfway across Iowa when one of the horses died. There they stayed for more than a year. They started out of Iowa with a horse and cow to homestead in Nebraska. They followed the Platte River on the north side till they came to the town of North Bend. The river was too deep to cross. They met an Indian that knew how to speak a little English, he guided them to a crossing further west towards the present town of Linwood, where they crossed.

They intended to homestead land at Linwood whre the Tahacek farm currently is. There was a Pawnee Indian camp on the Skull Creek where they intended to homestead, so they traveled east and camped on the Homer land west of Morse Bluff. From there they started looking for land to homestead but could only get one eighty. From there they returned where they came in contact with a land agent. He told them there were three eighties together for homesteading south of Morse Bluff. Which are now owned by Uncle John and Aunt Julia Vachal, Lewis Racek, Emma Hunt and Ed Virka. One brother, Joe Racek was not of age to homestead so he went to Omaha to work. Before he became of age to homestead, the homestead act was discontinued. They built a sod house on a fence line between the present Virka and Lewis Racek land.

They just about lost their homestead rights for having one home for two homesteads. They wanted to live together..but the homestead act read one home for each homestead. Lewis Racek told us that when he and the Virka's were making a fence they came upon some stove lids and other articles so he figured that was where the sod house once was.

After they got they Homestead claim the brothers would work in Omaha three days a week. They worked for the City of Omaha leveling hills for 25 cents a day. They would also work two days on the homestead. They walked to work one day there and one day back.

Great Grandmother was killed by a horned cow that they bought with them from Illinois. She is buried on a hill side east of Morse Bluff which is an abandoned cemetery with unmarked graves. Great Grandfather Racek is buried in the Killian Cemetery west of Morse Bluff.

Mathias married Maria Suchy on 8 Nov 1842 in Pollenka, Bohemia. Maria was born on 21 Feb 1824 in Pollenka, Bohemia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was the daughter of Lorenz Suchy and Veronica Katzerowsky, daughter of Ignaz and Maria Katzerowsky. Ignaz Katzerowsky was a townsman (similar to a marshal) and the family lived in Chudenitz, Czechoslovakia.

Notes:

The Immigrants Ships Transcribers Guild has the following information relating to the ship Bark "Industrie" of Bremen:

The ship arrived at the port on 27 May 1865, and Frank's occupation was shown as "Miller," and the families destination was shown as Baltimore. Included among the passengers were:

BEZNOSKA, Franz 42 Anna 43 Veronica 9 Theresia 10 Franz 7 Anna 5, Bohemia.

http://www.immigrantships.net/v5/1800v5/industrie18650527.html

A Nebraska Czech's website notes that:

"Frank Beznoska, Beroun. Came to Cleveland in 1865. Died March 3, 1900, aged 78. Remembered as an able ferryman, who saved people from drowning on several occasions. "

From http://www.rootsweb.com/~neethnic/czechs/cz-pg97a.html

The family first settled in Cleveland, Ohio. They later came to Nebraska and homesteaded on a farm southeast of Morse Bluff. Two of their daughters remained in Cleveland.

He and his wife were seriously injured in a runaway carriage in 1897. His wife died due to the injuries, and he went to live with his son, Frank Beznoska, Jr. His obituary reads as follows:

"Frank Beznosky (sic) Sr. of Morse Bluff, died at his home in Morse Bluff, March 3, of paralysis. He came to Saunders County from Bohemia in 1869, and engaged in farming. Two years ago his team ran away, killing his wife and injuring Mr. Beznosky so badly that he never recovered, and his death was no doubt due to this abuse. The deceased leaves five children, Mrs. James Racek, Mrs. Soukup of Milligan, Nebraska, Frank Beznoska, and two others in Ohio. The funeral was held, Monday, March 5.

(Courtesty of Caroline Mastny, Schuyler, Nebraska)

CZECH NATIONAL CEMETERY (also known as Killian Cemetery) located in Bohemian township in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Sec 23 Township 17, Range 5E of Saunders County, Nebraska.

Recorded on April 12, 1977 and completed on April 15, 1977 by Clarabelle Mares 1722 E 19 Fremont, Nebraska and assisted by Kathrine Petersen. Cemetery in very good condition. Working from front to back in rows.

Row 5 Sec 1 east to west

Frantisek Beznoska d 3 Mar 1900 78 yrs


(Research):

Census Listings:

1870 Federal Census
Nebraska, Saunders County, Twp 16 Range 6E, PO Cedar Bluffs
Enumerated 15 Jun 1870
Page 3 Stamped 315
39-30
Besnosker, Frank 50 m W Farmer $400 Bohemia
Besnosker, Anna 49 F W Keeps Houe Bohemia
Besnosker, Sarah 15 F W At Service Gohemia
Besnosker, Frank 13 M W Bohemia
Besnosker, Anna 11 F W Bohemia

From the Familysearch 1880 United States Census and National Index

Census Place:Douglas, Saunders, Nebraska Source:FHL Film 1254756
National Archives Film T9-0756 Page 37

RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace

Frank BASNOSKY Self M M W 55 BOHEMIA Occ: Farmer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Ann BASNOSKY Wife F M W 50 BOHEMIA Occ: Keeps House Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA





(Medical):Y DNA Results, FTDNA Haplogroup:

R1a

A direct male descendant volunteered to have his DNA tested
. The results can be found at www.ysearch.org, under the user ID #8HGEM. The FamilyTreeDNA kit number is 70191.

R1a The R1a lineage is believed to have originated in the Eurasian Steppes north of the Black & Caspian Seas. This lineage is thought to descend from a population of the Kurgan culture, known for the domestication of the horse (circa 3000 B.C.E.). These people were also believed to be the first speakers of the Indo-European language group. This lineage is found in central & western Asia, India, and in Slavic populations of Europe.

Frantisek married Anna Krylova before 1842. Anna was born about 1821 in Bohemia; died on 25 Jun 1897 in Saunders County, Nebraska; was buried in Czech National (Killian) Cemetery, Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A newspaper clipping from 1897 details the accident that claimed the life of Anna Beznoska, and seriously injured her husband:

"Frank Bisnoski (sic) Sr. and wife of Saunders County were victims of a serious runaway Sunday. While driving a spirited team and going down hill, the team became unmanageable and started to run. At the bottom of the hill the horses ran into a wire fence, and the occupants of the bugy were violently thrown into the fence. Mr. Bisnoski received some very severe cuts by the entangled wire...Mrs. Bisnoski, however, was more unfortunate, and received a scalp wound among other injuries. The results could be fatal (to her). Both of these people are upward of 70 years of age, and the results of the accident will be a question for some time. Dr. Doan was called to attendance and relieved the sufferings of the injured as far as was possible. The team was badly cut from the wire and it is feared one of them will have to be killed to relieve if of it's injuries."

A follow up article noted: "Mrs. Bisnoski (sic) who was so seriously injured a few weeks ago in a runaway accident in Saunders County could not survive the injuries received and died during Friday night. The funeral services were held Saturday. A large community of friends were in attendance at the last rites."

(Undated, unreferenced clipping courtesy of Caroline Mastny, Schuyler, Nebraska)

(Research):CZECH NATIONAL CEMETERY (also known as Killian Cemetery) located in Bohemian township in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Sec 23 Township 17, Range 5E of Saunders County, Nebraska.

Recorded on April 12, 1977 and completed on April 15, 1977 by Clarabelle Mares 1722 E 19 Fremont, Nebraska and assisted by Kathrine Petersen. Cemetery in very good condition. Working from front to back in rows.

Row 5 Sec 1 east to west

Anna Beznoska d 25 Jun 1897 76 yrs




















(Medical):mtDNA: A direct female descendant of Anna, who descends as follows: Anna KRYL>Anna BEZNOSKA>Tessie Rose SOUKUP>Viola STRONG Weaver submitted a DNA sample to FamilyTreeDNA in Houston. The results were as follows:

Presumed Haplogroup: N1b

HVR1 Mutations: 145A, 176G, 183C, 189C, 223T, 390A, 519C
HRV2: Not tested

The results are posted at www.mitosearch.org under the user ID E899U, and as of June, 2006, there were not any matches, which is quite unusual. This is likely because the N1B Haplogroup is uncommon in Europe, and not included as one of the nine lineages that encompass almost all mtDNAs from European, North African and Western Asian Caucasians. Rather, it is in the cluster of "minor haplogroups" W, I and N1b. These three are present in low frequencies in Europe, Near East and Caucasus but only I and N1b have been also detected in Egypt and Arabia. The N1b haplogroup in Europe often indicates Jewish ancestry. The last group radiated around 39,000-52,000 yr BP, giving at least four ancestral clusters. One of them originated haplogroup B that expanded to Eastern Asia, reaching Japan and southeastern Pacific Archipelagos."

Source: http://www.trinicenter.com/sciencenews/27082001.htm