(These are excerpts from a report written by Sharon Masek Lopez covering aspects of the lives of Thomas and Barbara Masek and specifically son, Joseph. They were the grandparents and father, respectively, of Fred Masek.)

Thomas Masek was born in December 1865 in a rural community near Prague, now known as part of the Czech Republic. When Thomas was 14 his father was killed in a mining accident involving a dynamite explosion. Thomas was the oldest child and had to support the family. One of his jobs was as a bugler in an orchard. He would signal workers when it was time to eat, rest, or stop working by the tune he blew.

In 1880 at age 14, Thomas was afraid of being conscripted for Army duty. The draft consisted of grabbing any male off the street. To escape this threat he stowed away on a ship headed to the United States. Relatives in Cleveland, Ohio, welcomed him in their home. His first job was as an assistant to an undertaker. When he earned enough money, he sent for his mother and two sisters.

It was in Cleveland that Thomas met and married Barbara Houska. She was born in Prague in 1875. Her father died when she was young. She, her mother, and three sisters came to the U.S. to live with relatives. One sister died of illness in New York City during the journey.

After marriage, Thomas obtained a job running a lumberyard. His work also involved managing a livery stable and selling coal.

While living in Cleveland, Thomas and Barbara had four children: Joe, Julia, Charlie, and Rose. Charlie died at age seven from a concussion suffered while attempting to walk a fence and suffering a fall.

When Joe was 14 (1909) the Masek family was persuaded by friends to move to South Dakota. They settled on a farm 12 miles from Geddes. The fifth child, Anna, was born here.

The family had been members of the Catholic Church. However, a lasting rift with the church occurred. A priest refused to baptize Anna unless $25 was paid. It was a lot of money at that time. Thomas felt it was unfair and against his principles. The family gave up on church.

Thomas Masek remained a farmer in South Dakota for the rest of his life. He died at the farm near Geddes Oct. 11, 1928, at the age of 63. His wife, Barbara, died Feb. 1959, in David City, Nebraska, at age 84.