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

VAKOC HISTORY

When the Congress of the United States passed the Homestead Act of 1862, it opened up the vast territory of the west, including Nebraska. People from all walks of life flocked to stake their claims in the newly-promised land. Among these countless numbers of prospective homesteaders moving westward to establish homes were our ancestors. They all emigrated from the old country of Bohemia which although they loved their native homeland, they left because of persecution by the Bohemian-Austrian nobility. Land was allotted to the Bohemians unequally and was of such small size that making a living was a hardship and improvement of their lot was virtually impossible. When they saw advertisements of 160 acres of free land in the United States that could be obtained by living on the land and improving it, the oppressed Bohemians saw it as a new beginning for them and a future for their families. After packing what belongings they had, they set sail for the new world, “America.”

[pg 440 photo Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Vakoc, Sr., and family - John, Joseph, James, Frank, Albert, Jerry, Mary, and Charles]

This Homestead Act drew Joseph Vakoc, Sr., to America.

Joseph Vakoc, Sr., born in 1850, and Mary (Jedlicka) Vakoc, born in 1852, came to America from Bohemia with their two sons in 1880. (There are discrepancies in their birth dates. The obituaries and tombstones sometimes differ; a source states Joseph’s birth date as September 20, 1952,, and Mary’s as July 21, 1856.) They settled in Knox County near Niobrara where they lived with his brother, John, Sr., who came a few years earlier than Joseph. Later Joseph, Sr., took his homestead 3 ˝ miles northeast of Verdigre.

Joseph, Sr., was a tall, stately man with white hair and mustache. This characteristic - white hair at an early age - seems to run in the Vakoc family. He is said to have been a strict father and a devout Catholic who attended Mass ever Sunday regardless of the weather. Joseph Sr. and Mary Vakoc donated the bell (which is still being used today) in the St. Wenceslaus bell tower.

They lived in a partial log house, most of the lumber coming from the Yankton, South Dakota, area. The children walked 3 ˝ miles to school in Verdigre.

Joseph, Sr., farmed until 1907 when he retired from farming and lived in the town of Verdigre. He was ill about three months prior to his death on February 24, 1919. Mary died March 24, 1922.

Nine children were born to them: John F., Joseph, Jr., Jim, Frank, Albert F., Jerry, Mary, Charles, and Martha, who died in infancy.

Joseph and Mary’s son, John F., and wife Mary (Holan) lived on a farm in Sparta Township and retired to Verdigre in their later years. Their nine children were: Charles, Vlasta, Elsie, John, Jr., William, Helen, Otto, Rose, and Alvin.

Joseph, Jr., and wife Julia (Tusha) lived in Verdigre and later moved to Oregon. Their two children were George ad Wilford.

Jim and wife Lillian (Kalal) lived in Verdigre managing a hardware store. Their children are Myron and Omer.

Frank and wife Mamie (Klimesh) lived on a farm in Sparta Township and after 1909 moved to Milladore, Wisconsin. Their children are: Laddie, Victor, Mary (Steckler), Leonard, and Tillie (Shirek).

Albert F. and wife Mary (Jirousek) Vakoc were married January 23, 1912, at St. Wenceslaus Church by Rev. Charles Petlach. They lived first in Verdigre in a new home built in 1913 and later on a farm east of Verdigre. Their children are Henry, Anne (Carlson), Blanche (Julis), Adolph and Albert, Jr., who died in infancy.

Jerry and wife Nora (Schreier) lived on a farm near Knoxville, northwest of Verdigre and later retired to Verdigre. (Their history is found in this book.)

Mary (Lentner) and husband Dr. Max Lentner, a veterinarian, lived first in Verdigre, then moved to Chicago where Dr. Lentner worked for Armour. They moved to Superior, Nebraska, where he was associated with Blue Cross Serum Company, retiring in 1942 to Loveland, Colorado. Their children are Nadine (Blackstone), Sybil (Jansen), Virginia (Kern), and Eugene (Bud).

Charles and wife Marie (Cernousek) lived in Verdigre. Their daughter is Madeline (Sonder).

All the children of Joseph Vakoc, Sr., and Mary (Jedlicka) Vakoc are deceased except Jerry Vakoc of Verdigre and Mary Lentner of Loveland, Colorado.

The family history continues within the lives of the many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as the future generations of these pioneers of the Verdigre community.

Pages 440, 441