Living

Notes:

After graduating from Flint (Mich.) Central High School in 1930, Al went West looking for work. In a biography he prepared for his family he writes he "left Flint on a car-haul away loaded with Buicks for Kansas City. Hitching my way west, I came to Lawton, Oklahoma which at that time was about 9000 people." His wife MayBelle wrote that he lived with an Aunt and Uncle and worked at Montgomery Wards. The position he was given was reserved for students, so he enrolled in Cameron State Agricultural College the next day. He received an Associate in Science degree from Cameron in May, 1932.

He was a longtime employee of Dupont, working on and off depending on the economy, from 1927 through 1949. He later worked for Acme Paint, Williams Gun Shop, Knoblock's Hardware, and as a custodian at Mott Community College. After he retired in 1976, Al and MayBelle travelled, and spent each winter at The Tip O' Texas RV Resort in Pharr, Texas, returning home to Michigan each summer.

Alfred married MayBelle Mildred Beznoska on 5 Aug 1933 in La Porte County, Indiana. MayBelle (daughter of Louis Beznoska and Mildred Schere) was born on 25 Apr 1914 in Junction City, Comanche County, Oklahoma; died on 2 Apr 2007 in Houghton Lake, Roscommon County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In a biography she wrote for her children and grandchildren, MayBelle said that she started school in Nebraska, where they were temporarily living to help care for her ailing grandmother Schere. After she completed the fourth grade, they returned to Oklahoma and for her fifth and sixth grade year she and her sister walked to school in Junction City. She lived with "distant relatives Harry and Lilly" to help them care for their three year old daughter when she was seventh grade, while attending Cameron College. The next year she retured home and attended eighth grade in Walters. At the start of High School, she returned to Cameron College, where she was a boarding student for one year, until Geronimo opened a new High School. There were seven students in her 1931 graduating class: Harold Lee Walker, Edna Jo Watson, Golda Mae Northcutt, James Donald Stewart, Willie E. Walker, James Donivan Outenreath and MayBelle herself. MayBelle was class president, with James Donald Stewart serving as secretary.

From the time her mother lost her eye, MayBelle had to do all the families sewing, and she also worked side by side with her father on the farm, cuting wheat and oats with a horse drawn thrasher.


Obituary

MayBelle M. Hutchins, 93, Houghton Lake, died April 2, 2007, at West Branch Regional Medical Center. A memorial service at the family home is planned April 15. Burial will be in Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Flint. Mrs. Hutchins was born in Junction City, OK, April 25, 1914, to Louis and Mildred (Boulier) Beznoska. She married Alfred T. Hutchins in Indiana Aug. 5, 1933. Mrs. Hutchins was a custodian at Mott Community College and a florist for Anthony's, both in Flint. The couple moved to Houghton Lake from Flint in 1976. Mr. Hutchins died in 1992. Mrs. Hutchins was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and in 1947 by a baby son. Mrs. Hutchins is survived by a daughter, Barbara and her husband Charles Sherbenaut of Houghton Lake; a son, Wayne B. Hutchins Sr. of Arizona; a sister, Mazella Thomason of Oklahoma; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. Christler Funeral Home-Houghton Lake Chapel handled arrangements.

http://www.houghtonlakeresorter.com/news/2007-04-05/front_page/12288.html

Notes:

Married:
In the biography she prepared for her children and grandchildren, MayBelle writes that she and Al met when he was living with an Aunt and Uncle in Lawton. In 1932, she went on a blind date with Al's roomate, and her friend with Al. Before the evening was over, they "switched" dates, and continued to date over the next three months until his college graduation, when he returned to Flint, Michigan. They corresponded for the next 18 months, until Al found a job and asked her to come to Michigan. Her parents, who approved of him, sold a cow and bought her a bus ticket. The following weekend the young couple drove to Indiana and eloped in a ceremony officiated by Rev. Frohm, taking the train into Chicago the next day for the 1933 World's Fair. In Al's biography he called it a "fast wild ride and believe it or not we did not see the fair." When they returned to Flint, they were greeted with a Shiveree, and the newleyweds ended up at the corner beer garden treating friends to drinks until their money was exhausted. Two months after their weddding, Al was laid off. They moved in with his parents, where the lived for the next 12 years.

Notes:

Listed as Isack? on the 1900 census.

Louis B. Beznoska

Funeral arrangements for Louis B. Beznoska, 70, of Rt. 2 Walters, who died Tuesday, will be announced by the Ritter Funeral Home.

Beznoska, a retired farmer, died at 8 p.m. in a local hospital after a long illness.

A native of Nebraska, Beznoska came to the Walters-Lawton area in 1905. He returned to Nebraska in 1913 where he married Mildred Schere, who survives him, and then returned to Oklahoma.

Surviving besides his wife are two daughters, Mrs. Mable Hutchins, Flint, Michigan and Mrs. Eugene Thomason, 1413 Bell, Lawton; three brothers, Joe of Rt. 2, Walters, Adolph of Geronimo, and Jim of Healdton; five sisters, Mrs. Anna Lorentz, Morehead, Minn.; Mrs. Albie Kucera, Mrs. Lillie Tomasek, Mrs. Millie Arthur, and Mrs. Agnes Muckendorpher all of North Bend, Nebraska; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

(Undated, unreferenced newspaper clipping: 11 Nov 1958 handwritten on it, courtesy of Caroline Mastny of Schuyler, Nebraska)

(Research):Census Information

1920 Census
Nebraska, Saunders County, Douglas, ED 151
Enumerated 13 Jan 1920 by Charles Zigka
SD 4 ED 151 Sheet 2B
FM 36-36
Beznoska, Louis Hd W M 31 M Neb Boh Boh Farmer
Beznoska, Mildred M Wf F W 23 M Neb Neb Ill
Beznoska, Mozela O Dtr F W 5 S Ok Neb Neb
Beznoska, Mable M Dtr F W 2 3/12 S Ok Neb Neb

1930 Census
Oklahoma, Cotton County, Strauss Twp, Ed 10
Enumerated April 17, 1930 by Georgia R. Moore
ED 17-10 SD 8 Sheet 12B
234-238
Beznoska, Louis Hd M W 42 M 25 Neb Czech Czech
Farmer
Beznoska, Mildred Wf F W 33 M 16 Neb Neb Ill
Beznoska, Mable Dtr F W 15 S Ok Neb Neb
Beznoska, Mozella Dtr F W 12 S Ok Neb Neb
235-239
Beznoska, Joe Hd M W 40 M 27 Neb Czech Czech
Farmer
Beznoska, Irene Wf F W 32 M 19 Miss Miss Miss
Beznoska, Melvin Son M w 11 S Ok Neb Miss
Beznoska, Zelma Dtr F W 2 7/12 S Ok Neb Miss

Louis married Mildred Schere on 4 Nov 1913 in Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska. Mildred was born on 24 Dec 1896 in Nebraska; died on 26 Dec 1989 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to her daughter Maybelle, she was the daughter of Louis J. SCHERE and Josephine BOULIER. Louis was German, and Josephine French, being a descendant of Rene "Henry" Boulier of Department of La Muehrt a' Musson, France. Henry immigrated at the age of 23 to Woodford county, Illinois in 1837. He lived there until his death in 1871.

Louis and Josephine Schere had eight children but lost one at a very young age. Their sons wedre Louie, Frederick and Gilbert. The girls were Florence, Mildred, Marie and Pauline---and Catherine who died young. Louis ran a general store in Cedar Bluff, Nebraska. She learned to cook and farm after her marriage. The well was a block away from their farm home and had to be hauled by bucket to the house. There was no electricity so they had kerosene lamps and a stove. The family farm was 12 miles from Lawton, 8 miles from Walters, and 5 miles from Geronimo.In 1919, the family moved back to Nebraska to help care for Mildred'a ailing mother where they lived for several years. Mildred lost one eye after catching pneumonia.

Notes:

Married:
Millie Beznoska witnessed their wedding.

Notes:

Caroline Mastney reports that the family moved to Oklahoma in 1902. Frank was able to buy each of his five sons a farm. His granddaughter Maybelle notes he "had 5 adjoining 360 acres for the 5 boys."

"Illness Fatal to A Resident of North Bend"

Frank Beznoski, sr., of North Bend, died Saturday afternoon in Kolouch hospital, where he had been brought Friday for treatment. He had been a sufferer with stomach trouble for several years.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at the ZBDJ Hall in Morse Bluff, with burial in Morse Bluff cemetery.

Mr. Beznoski was born July 6, 1858, in Bohemia, and came to the United States as a young man. He was married to Miss Caroline Datel in North Bend Nov 20, 1876 and 10 children were born to the union. The surviving children are Frank of North Bend, and Lewis, Joseph, Adolph and James all of Lawton, Oklahoma, Anna Ruzicka of Moorhead, Minn., and Albie Kudtka, Lillie Tomasek, Millie Arthur and Agnes Dupth, all of North Bend.

Mr. Beznoski was actively engaged in farming until about 10 years ago, when he retired and had since made his home in North Bend.

"Called by Death"

Death on Saturday evening released Frank Beznoska, Sr., from suffering which had been his protion for a number of years due to stomach trouble. His condition had been serious for the past few months. On Friday he was removed from his home to a hospital at Schuyler, where he passed away the following evening.

Hoping for relief from his ailment, he spent the summer and fall in Oklahoma but returned to North Bend in December not much improved.

Funeral services conducted by Rev. Phillipps of Clarkson were held Tuesday. Following a short service at the home at 1:00 services were held at 2:00 pm at the ZCBJ hall in Morse Bluff. Interment was made in the Killian cemetery in Saunders county.

Among those whos were her from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mrs. Anna Ruzicka, Moorhead, Minnesota; Joe and James Beznoska, Lawton, Oklahoma; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Soukup and daughter Marie, Milligan, Nebraska; Frank Soukup, Sr. and Joe Soukup, Milligan, Nebraska.

Frank Beznoska was born at Beron, Bohema (sic), July 6, 1858. He came to America with his parents in 1869 when he was eleven years old. The family located first in Cleveland, Ohio, but not long after came to Saunders county, Nebraska, and took up land near where the town of Morse Bluff is now located. His parents were among the early settlers of Saunders county and in the days before the bridge was built across the Platte river at North Bend his father operated a ferry which transported travelers across the river at this point.

Mr. Beznoska was married in 1879 at Fremont, Nebraska to Miss Caroline Datel and lived on a farm in Saunders county until 1903 when they sold the farm and purchased land near Lawton, Oklahoma. They lived there until a few years ago when they transferred their land to their sons and retired from farming. They purchased a home in North Bend and located here.

Mr. Beznoska is survived by his wife and the following children: Frank Beznoska, Jr., Mrs. Jerry Kucera, Mrs. John Tomasek, Jr., Mrs. Lloyd Arthur and Mrs. W.G. Gutch, all of North Bend; Mrs. James Ruzicka of Moorhead, Minnesota; Joe, Louis, Adolph and James Beznoska of Lawton, Oklahoma; nineteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. One child died in infancy.

Mrs. Beznoska was a man of fine principles and a good neighbor and friend. He took great pleasure in his family and in his granchildren and will be deeply missed by them. All of these and particularly the bereaved wife, have the sympathy of the community in their sorrow.

(Undated, unreferenced newspaper clippings: 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

Frank Beznoska Jr
1858 - 1929






(Research):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 22 BOHEMIA Occ:Farmer Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Caroline BASNOSKY Wife F M W 19 BOHEMIA Occ:Keeps House Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA
Frank BASNOSKY Son M S W 8 M NE Fa: BOHEMIA Mo: BOHEMIA

1900 Census
Nebraska, Saunders County, Morse Bluff
Enumerated the 5th of June 1900 by Hans M Mackfranz
SD 4, ED 128 Stamped 82
27-28
Beznoska, Frank Hd W M July 1858 41 M 20 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1865 35 No Farmer
Beznoska, Caroline Wf W F May 1862 37 M 20 11/10
Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia 1870 30
Beznoska, Frank Son W M Aug 1882 17 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia Farm Labor
Beznoska, Annie Dtr W F Aug 1884 15 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Beznoska, Albina Dtr W F Aug 1886 14 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Beznoska, Isack Son W M Jan 1888 12 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Beznoska, Adolph Son W M Apr 1892 8 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Beznoska, Lillie Dtr W F May 1894 6 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Beznoska, Millie Dtr W F Aug 1895 4 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia At School
Beznoska, Agnes Dtr W F Sep 1898 2 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia
Beznoska, Baby Son W M Feb 1900 3/12 Neb Bohemia Bohemia

1910 Federal Census
Nebraska, Saunders County, Cedar, ED 136
Enumerated 11 May 1910
SD 4 ED 136 Sheet 14B
319-319
Beznoska, Frank Hd M W 52 Aust/Boh Aust/Boh Aust/Boh 1869 Na Eng Farmer
Beznoska, Cary Wf F W 48 Aust/Boh Aust/Boh Aust/Boh 1870 English
Beznoska, Louis Son M W 22 Neb Aust/Boh Aust/Boh Working Home Farm
Beznoska, Joseph Son M W 21Neb Aust/Boh Aust/Boh Working Home Farm
Beznoska, Adolf Son M W 19 Neb Aust/Boh Aust/Boh Working Home Farm
Beznoska, Lilly Dtr F W 17 Neb Aust/Boh Aust/Boh
Beznoska, Millie Dtr F W 15 Neb Aust/Boh Aust/Boh
Beznoska, Agnes Dtr F W 13 Neb Aust/Boh Aust/Boh
Beznoska, James Son M W 11Neb Aust/Boh Aust/Boh

1920 Census
Nebraska, Saunders County, Cedar Bluffs
Enumerated 12 Jan 1920 by ?. E. Smith
SD 4 ED 146 Sheet 6B
Fm 167-169
Beznoska, Frank Hd M W 62 M 1865 Na 1875 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia Farmer
Beznoska, Caroline Wf F W 58 M 1865 Na 1875 Bohemia Bohemia Bohemia
Beznoska, Adolf Son M W 27 S Neb Bohemia Bohemia Working on Farm
Beznoska, James Son M W 20 S Bohemia Bohemia Working on Farm
The household immediately following his was that of his son, Joseph.

Frantisek married Karolina "Caroline" Datel on 21 Nov 1878 in North Bend, Dodge County, Nebraska. Karolina (daughter of Josef "Joseph" Datel, Sr. and Anna Sukova) was born on 13 Jan 1862 in Kolec, Bohemia; died on 20 Jan 1940 in North Bend, Dodge County, Nebraska; was buried in Czech National (Killian) Cemetery, Morse Bluff, Saunders County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mrs. Carolina Beznoska

Mrs. Carlina Beznoska, daughter of pioneer parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Datel, Sr. and a long time resident of this community died Saturday afternoon at her home on East Ninth street. She had been in ill health for a long time and very seriously ill for two weeks prior to her death. She was 78 years and 7 days of age.

Funeral services conducted by Rev. C.H. Lind were held at the home Monday afternoon at 2:00 pm. Mrs. Arthur Hanke and Mrs. W.K. Robertson sang two duet numbers...

The pall bearers were her five sons Frank, Louis, James, Adoph and Joe Beznoska, and one grandson Ray Beznoska. Burial was made in the Killian cemetery near Morse Bluff.

These of her immediate family who mourn her departure were her five sons: Frank of North Bend; Louis, Joseph, Adolph, and James of Geronimo, Oklahoma, and her five daughters, Mrs. James Ruzicka of Hooper, Nebraska; Mrs. Joe Tomasek, Jr., Mrs. L.K. Arthur, and Mrs. W.S. Gutch of North Bend. Twenty grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren survive her as do also three sisters and three brothers. The sisters and brothers are Mrs. John Matejka of Long Beach, California, Mrs. Elizabeth Bloch, Mrs. Frank Howe and Frank Datel of North Bend, James Datel of Perry, Oklahoma, and Thos. Datel of South Dakota.

Those who came from a distance to attend the funeral besides the sons from Oklahoma were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Datel, Emil Matejka and Mrs. and Mrs. Ray Beznoska of Omaha. There were also many neighbors and friends from Saunders county where the family formerly resided.

Carolina Beznoska

Caroline Datel was born in Colech, Bohemia, on January 13, 1863. She came to America when she was seven years of age, living at Fort Madison, Iowa, where she spent her childhood. Later she came to Saunders county, Nebraska, where she lived for a number of years.

On the first day of November, 1878, she was united in marriage to Mr. Frank Beznoska. To this union were born seven children, on of whom died in infancy.

The family moved from Saunders county to Oklahoma, where they lived for about twenty years. For of the sons still reside there. A number of years ago Mr. and Mrs. Beznoska located at North Bend. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on November 21, 1928. This of course was a most joyous occasion. It is one that denotes victory and triumph. Together they walked life's road, amid the trials, sacrifices and sorrows. For fifty years they shared in the triumphs, joys and rewards that life brought them. Four months later on March 22, 1929, Mr. Beznoska departed this life.

All but one of the children were at her bedside when she departed this life (Mrs. James Ruzicka of Moreheed, Minnesota, was unable to be present). What a token of esteem and love this fact reveals--these sons and daughters, many of them coming from a great distance to be present during the illness and demise of their beloved mother. Yet we do not wonder so much that it should be so, for who can measure the love, the devotion and care that a mother gives to her own.

Mrs. Beznoska was an incarnation of all that he word mother means. Her home and loved ones were always first in her thoughts and solicitations. What a precious memory these will retain of the moments they stood together about her bed, showing their love and appreciation in return for her great love and sacrifice for them. May God's blessing be upon her memory.

(Undated, unreferenced newspaper clippings: Courtesty of Caroline Mastny, Schuyler, Nebraska)


From a 1941 newspaper column

The residence of the late Mrs. Caroline Beznoska was sold at auction to settle the estate. Joe Bures bought the place for his mother. Consideration was $550.

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


Carolina Beznoska
1862 - 1940