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

FRANK J. AND SYLVIA [JURACEK] VECERA

Frank J. Vecera was born to Joseph and Frances (Lapesh) Vecera on November 15, 1888, in a sod house in Cheyenne County near Sidney, Nebraska. His father had emigrated from Moravia in 1880 and his mother came to this country with her parents and brother in 1881. In 1882 they were married at Weston, Nebraska, in Saunders County. They lived on a farm and while there his sisters, Mary and Fanny, and brother Joe were born.

[pg 446 photo Frank J. and Sylvia [Juracek] Vecera and daughters from left: Joan [Vecera] Sukup, Rita [Vecera] Sukup, and Judy [Vecera] Parks]

In 1886 the family moved to Cheyenne County where they homesteaded between Sidney and Lodgepole. They built a sod house as that was the only material available. In this dwelling many community gatherings were held since it was the largest sod house. Missionary priests would pass that way from time to time and the settlers would gather for mass. As a result, many of the homesteaders’ children were baptized in the Vecera home.

During this time three more children were born: Frank, Anna, and Vac.

The Veceras worked hard but seven consecutive years of drought were discouraging. The homesteaders made butter and raised chickens for eggs to sell to the army fort some distance away. The soldiers’ old discarded blue uniforms wee gathered up by the homesteaders and the women made clothes for the children.

In 1894 the Veceras moved to Knox County where they were near a school and church. They first lived just north on the present Catholic Cemetery and later purchased a farm three miles southwest of Verdigre. Here the youngest sister, Rosy, was born.

Frank served in World War I for a very short time. Then he bought a farm near his parents’ place. He also attended Grand Island Business College. In 1926 he began to operate Vecera’s Place, a billiard parlor.

On November 20, 1928, Frank married Sylvia Juracek.

Sylvia’s father, John Juracek, was born at Crete, Nebraska, in 1883. His parents had emigrated from Moravia in 1880 to escape war-torn Europe and look for a better life for their children. John was one of ten children. The last four were born on a farm northwest of Verdigre in the Jelen community. In 1889 the Juraceks bought the farm now owned by Walter Vonasek. The family worked hard and raised large gardens which enabled them to sell potatoes, onions, and other produce to buy their clothing. The whole family was very musical and played for weddings and parties such as barn dances.

In 1904 John married Julia Noll and they lived on a farm in the Knoxville area.

Julia was the daughter of John and Josephine (Janak) Noll and was born in Sadska, Bohemia. Her parents emigrated to this country when she was six months old and settled in the Sparta community. Later her father moved to Niobrara to start a shoe-making and harness shop, a trade he learned in Europe.

John and Julia Juracek farmed in the Knoxville area and then moved to Niobrara where he was a cattle buyer.

Sylvia was the second of six children. She attended school in Niobrara and then was employed by the Niobrara bakery and then the Verdigre Bakery and Café before her marriage to Frank Vecera.

Three children were born to this union: Joan (Mrs. Walter Sukup), Judy (Mrs. Charles Parks), and Rita (Mrs. James Sukup).

Frank operated Vecera’s Place until 1946 and then he sold insurance. Frank was a local fireman and was also active in the Verdigre Improvement Club, having served as its president. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Workmen. He was both local president and state president at the latter. Frank served on election boards for many years before his death in 1975.

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