Osmera, Jan S., John

Born in Czechoslovakia. Married Anni Zoubek in 1873. Immigrated to the US with his wife and 3 children (Joseph, John, Mary) circa 1882. A fourth child, Christina, was born to them in 1882. They settled near Brainard, NE. In 1885, they decided to move out to western NE. His wife, Annie, and 2 children Joseph 12, and Christina 14 mo., drowned in a flash flood. Story of that flood is recorded in "The History of Nebraska Czechs" by Rose Rosicky and also in the Brainard Centennial Book 1878-1978. John came back to Brainard with his two surviving children, John J. and Mary A.
Back in Brainard after the tragedy, he married Marie "Mary" Rejda in 1885 and they had 9 more children.
Side Note: John's sister, Marie "Marianna" (1841-1916) was married to Frank J.Osmera. They are buried in St. John Catholic Cemetery in Hayes Co. Their son, Bohumir married John's little daughter, Mary, that survived the flood out west.