A transcription of pages 195-469,
Family Histories from the Verdigre Centennial Book
Thanks to the Verdigre Library and its volunteers for making this available.
 
The index below only includes the husband and wife for each family.
The maiden name for the wife is used if listed.
For other names, use the search on the Home Page.

Index's A-I, J-P, & Q-Z

V.A. AND FRANCISCA [HOLAN] PAVELKA

Florian and Anna Pavelka’s eldest son was baptized “Vojtech.” People had difficulty pronouncing and spelling his name, so Vojtech went to the courthouse in Center to have his name changed to simply “W. V. Pavelka.”

[pg 354 PHOTO The V. A. Pavelka family in 1911 - seated from left: V. A. Pavelka, Martha and Francisca; Back row: Marie, Albert, Anastazie, Charles, Vaclav, Agnes, and Joseph]

V. A. Pavelka stayed in Chicago where he taught the German language while he learned the American language. Later he worked in the picture frame factory where he invented the band saw. Not knowing the ways of this country, he did not apply for a patent. Therefore, one of his co-workers applied for the patent in his own name.

V. A. decided to come to Nebraska and got as far as Yankton, South Dakota. This is as far as the railroad went. Getting lost, V. A. was taken in by the Indians who fed him and treated his sore feet. Some days later he started out to find Niobrara where he was told he would find his parents. By this time, they had a homestead and a sod house with a slough grass roof.

[pg 354 PHOTO Anastazia Mlady standing by log house [where she was born] which was built by her father, V. A. Pavelka. Still stands on farm now owned by her son, Delbert Mlady.]

His feet being blistered by the long journey, V. A. had to lie in bed to get them healed. Here he had the experience of waking up one morning to find a big snake in bed with him. When his feet had healed, V. A. went to Niobrara to find a job and was hired by Mr. Bonesteel to work in his store. This is where he learned the Indian language. After some time, Mr. Bonesteel transferred him to his store in Bonesteel, South Dakota. He saved his money to help his parents buy the equipment necessary to till the land.

On October 15, 1882, V. A. married Francisca Holan, born in 1864, in a schoolhouse in the Verdigris Valley. They were married by Rev. Krisek who came from Tabor, South Dakota, to marry them. At this point, the priest told V. A. to see that a Catholic Church was built in Verdigre. The school was located on the land that Leo Mlady got from Joseph Vavruska.

Mrs. .Pavelka did not want to live in town, so they acquired a homestead and began farming, suffering many hardships.

[pg 354 - 3 PHOTOS -- Vaclav Pavelka; Albert Pavelka; Joseph Pavelka]

To this union eight children were born: Anastazia (Mrs. Edward Mlady), Charles, Vaclav, Agnes (Mrs. Vaclav E. Kotrous), Joseph, Albert, Marie, and Martha (Mrs. John Uhlik). )See married daughter’s history under husband’s name.)

When the family grew up, the land V. A. had acquired was divided among his three sons. V. A. retired to Verdigre where he built a new home west of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. The homestead and the original log cabin built by V. A> Pavelka is still on its original location and now owned by V. A.’s grandson, Delbert Mlady.

V. A. Pavelka was a loyal member of the Catholic Church and played an active role in building the first church in Verdigre, as well as the second church. He also served a number of years on the village and school boards.

V. A. Pavelka died on January 22, 1931, in his home in Verdigre. His wife Francisca died July 4, 1935. Both are buried at the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery at Verdigre, Nebraska.

Mr. and Mrs. V. A. Pavelka were proud of their descendants who served their country in the U. S. military. Among them were: sons Vaclav and Joseph T., and grandsons James E. Pavelka, Delbert Pavelka, Delbert Ulik, Leo Mlady, Delbert Darnell (killed in World War II was the first husband of Clara M. Pavelka), Alfred Fuchtman (Clara’s second husband(), Clarence E. Pavelka, and Marvin Pavelka.

[pg 355 - 8 PHOTOS -- Sgt. Clarence Pavelka in 1944; Marvin J. Pavelka; Lt. Delbert Pavelka; Jimmy Pavelka; Leo K. Mlady; Delbert Uhlik; Delbert Darnell, first husband of Clara Pavelka; Alfred Fuchtman, Clara Pavelka’s second husband]

Pages 354, 355