Paul Straub was born in January of 1893, in the small village of New Lustdorf near Odessa in the Ukraine of South Russia. He had 11 siblings, unfortunately 2 died as young children. His parents were Friedrich(Fred) and Elizabeth Huether Straub. He grew up in a farming family and later his brother Fred and wife stayed on the place after their father passed away. During this time Fred heard of fertile land and great opportunity in the thrilling United States from their Uncle Henry. So Fred, his wife, one of their sisters and one of Fred’s wife’s sisters decided to come to America. Paul decided he would move to this mystic land as well, however he met complications. Paul had just come of drafting age and would not be allowed to leave the country, let alone move out of it. So he came into contact with the Underground Agency who assisted him on the adventure of a lifetime. He traveled by train, carriage, wagon, boat, and of course on foot. All of this led him Bremen Germany where he met up with the rest of his family and from there sailed to Baltimore, Maryland in the U.S in late July of 1914. They traveled by track to Eureka, South Dakota where their Uncle Henry Straub and the rest of the Straub clan was. In later years he moved to Wishek, N.D. where he not only found work,but his wife Joanna Sophia Krueg. In 1918 the come to a small vicinity of land 12 miles south of Plevna. In 1926 just 16 miles northwest of Plevna, they bought their own land. They stayed here until 1953 when they retired and made residence in Plevna. During this time they raised their 4 children of the names Albina, Johanna, Erna, and Helmet.

During Paul’s life he was a farmer and a family man. He placed 3rd with his irrigated tomatoes in the Fallon County Fair. He made trips to town when in need of supplies or aid. “‘Mr. and Mrs. Paul Straub of Plevna were in town, Tuesday, Mrs. Straub seeking the aid of the physician on account of tonsillitis.” “Paul and Fred Straub were transacting business in town last Monday.”

I am Paul Straub’s great-great-granddaughter. My great grandma is Albina Straub, my grandfather is Emil Sieler, and my mother is Michelle Shumaker. My family migrated from Russia to the great plains and settled in Fallon County those many years ago. I have many family members still here in this community.