WILLIAM AND TERZIJE [HOUZVICKA] FOSTERMAN, SR.
William Fosterman was born February 14, 1853, in Hanover, Germany.
William emigrated to America in 1866 at the age of 13 years with his
brother Henry and sister Lena. They settled in Wabasha, Minnesota,
where he spent several years. Hearing of the opportunities offered
to settlers in Nebraska, he traveled overland with oxen and horses.
With his brother, he settled in Knox County, Nebraska, where he
spent his early years in freighting Indian rations on the Missouri
River to Fort Thompson. When he reached legal age, he homesteaded in
Sparta Township on a farm which he retained until his death.
He married Terezije Housvicka on June 28, 1877, in Nebraska. She was
born January 28, 1863, in Sadska, Bohemia.
At the age of 14 years, Terezije Houzvicka moved with her parents,
Vaclav and Katherine Houzvicka, to America where they could take a
homestead and have their own home by improving the land. So they
came and settled three miles north of Verdigre, Nebraska.
Ten children were born to William and Terezije: Clara, Emma, Rose,
Matilda, Minnie, Mabel, Arthur, William R., Alvin, and Muriel.
William Fosterman died February 19, 1924, and Terezije died May 3,
1932.
The following gives some information on the ten children of William
and Terezije.
Clara was born April 7, 1886, at Verdigre. She married Frank Janak
on April 7, 1912, at Rapid City, South Dakota. He was born August
18, 1880, at Verdigre, Nebraska. They had two children, Mrs. Mabel
Bernt and Mrs. Julian (Genevive) Sandall. Clara died March 13, 1936,
and her husband Frank died November 26, 1966.
Emma Lena was born June 11, 1879, at Verdigre. She married August
Bornholdt who was born April 18, 1878, at Moline, Illinois. They had
ten children: Alvin, Mabel, Emma, Clarence, Sophie, Minnie, Lucille,
Rosella, Ruth, and Elsie. Emma died January 30, 1938, and August
died September 26, 1961.
Rose, the third child of William and Terezije, was born December 21,
1880, at Verdigre, Nebraska. She married Charles Buchan, whose birth
date was August 13, 1880. They had six children: Mary, Alex, Margie,
Pearl, Irvin and Minnie, both who died at birth. Rose died September
2, 1915, and Charles died September 29, 1969.
Matilda (Tillie) was born August 27, 1884, and married Charles W.
Donat in 1900. Charles was born I 1873. They had three children:
Byron, Lawrence, and Laura. Matilda died September 15, 1974, and
Charles died in 1952.
Minnie was born March 19, 1887, at Verdigre and married Henry Hasker.
Later she married Benjamin Helton. They had no children. Minnie died
February 2, 1968.
Mabel was born at Verdigre, Nebraska, on January 15, 1889. She
married E. C. Wirth who was born November 24, 1886. S. They had two
children: Donald and Lawrence. Mabel died March 4, 1976, and E. C.
Wirth died September 14, 1964.
Arthur Fosterman was born March 6, 1893. He attended country school,
Wayne Normal, and Boyles College in Omaha. After completing his
education, he returned to his parents’ farm to assist with the farm
work. On August 21, 1916, he married Clara Hajek. Due to failing
health, they sold out, after farming for several decades, and moved
to Verdigre. He was active in the school district, township, and the
Farmers’ Union. William R. was an officer in Washington and Western
Telephone Company. He was also a member of the United Methodist
Church, Verdigre Improvement Club, and Western Fraternal Life
Association. They had a son Alvin who was born July 30, 1917, and
died August 31, 1963. William died June 7, 1973. His wife Clara
resides at Alpine Village in Verdigre.
Dr. Alvin Fosterman was born July 18, 1896, at Verdigre. He was a
veterinarian who practiced in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, in
1921-1922 and then in Utica, South Dakota, from 1922 to 1942. There
he operated a general merchandise store. On November 11, 1921, he
married Marie Steckley, born February 2, 1899, at Geddes, South
Dakota. They had no children. They moved to Yankton in 1942 where he
practiced medicine, along with veterinary work. Poor health forced
him to quit the practice. He died October 22, 1972, at Yankton,
South Dakota. Marie died February 20, 1978.
Muriel Fosterman was the youngest of the children born to William
and Terezije Fosterman. Born November 15, 1899, Muriel was married
to Louis O. Marshall on October 14, 1924. He was born April 28,
1899. They had no children. Muriel died July 22, 1973, and Louis on
November 11, 1978.
Pages
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