I just transcribed this short bio of Lewis Beranek (1 Sept 1883 - 5 March 1968) into my files from the book MILLIGAN, NEBRASKA 1888-1988 (Compiled by the Milligan History Book Committee 1988). Much of the bio involved Lewis's closest friend FRANK HEJKAL of Hastings, Nebraska. I was posting this in hopes that someone from the Hejkal family might someday find this, as they would probably be unlikely to look for their ancestor in the History of Milligan. Lewis Beranek was born near Prague, Czechoslovakia, and as a young man worked in the coal mines, making the equivalent of 50 cents for a twelve hour day. His friend Frank Hejkal, was planning on coming to the United States but did not want to travel alone. Hejkal offered to pay Lewis's way if he would come with him. Lewis was 21 when he arrived in America in the year 1904. He spent the next fews years working on farms in Nebraska, and in the city of Omaha. He and his sister, Mrs. James (Betty) Novak, were living in Omaha on March 24, 1913 when the terrible tornado struck. At that time, it was considered the most disasterous tornado in the Nation's history: 94 dead, hundreds more injured, and thousands left homeless. After this disaster, Lewis moved to the coal town of Dillonvale, Ohio. It was there he met Anna Neibert, whose father was a miner there. They were married in August. A few months later, on November 19, 1915, Lewis became a naturalized citizen. Anna automatically became a citizen as well by virtue of their marriage. The couple operated a restaurant in Lawrence, Nebraska and in 1923 moved back to Milligan where they established a similar business. At the end of the prohibition in 1934, the business became a tavern and pool hall. They operated this busines until their retirement in 1946. An industrious man, Lewis continued to work part-time as a janitor at the Milligan auditorium and as a caretaker at the Bohemian National Cemetery. Lewis and Frank Hejkal remained friends for life. Frank married and settled in Hastings, Nebraska, an employee of the Debus Baking Company. He had three sons and a daughter. His daughter, Hedvicka, died at an early age and was buried near the Beranek family plot at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Milligan. Frank and his wife Tena were buried here as well.