Photo Gallery

The Savilles held a family reunion over June 20-22 at the Braddock threshing grounds.

138 Savilles gathered from all over the country to attend the reunion, and Derek Saville even came all the way from Paris, France. Derek works with developing a European line of Graco products.

Ernest and Sarah Saville were the first of the Savilles from Braddock. They had nine children, the last living being Vernae Olmsted, who was at the reunion with her husband, Charlie. Vernae and Charlie live in Bismarck. Also attending the reunion were Mildred Saville of Grand Island, Nebraska, wife of the late Fred Saville, and Bob Weiser of Hazelton, husband of the late Elsie (Saville) Weiser.

The reunion was kicked off at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, when family members could start registering as they showed up. Old time photos were available from 12:00-8:00 with props and costumes. At 6:00 sloppy joes were served for supper. Then there was a slide show featuring photos of the past reunion and the reunion video. At 8:00 the Savilles had a dance, iPod wars, and Texas Hold Em’ matches.

On Saturday, June 21 a breakfast of pancakes and sausage was served from 8:30-9:30, and at 9:30 family members took a bus tour of the Saville farms around the Braddock area. They visited the original farmstead of Ernest and Sarah, which is no longer in the family name. They also toured three farms owned or operated by grandchildren and great grandchildren of Ernest and Sarah. Afterwards around 10:00 there was free time for visiting, kids games, volleyball and softball. After lunch pictures of each family were taken, climaxing at a picture of the entire Saville family. In the afternoon there were wagon rides, kids games, BINGO and a silent auction featuring some pictures of Ernest and Sarah Saville. Also in the afternoon everyone was welcome to wander around the threshing grounds and visit the many historical vehicles and buildings kept there. At 4:30 there was a branding demonstration, in which the old Saville family brand was burned onto shingles as souvenirs. Following was a North Dakota beef meal cooked by Frank Privatsky. At 8:00 there was a talent show, followed by cake and ice cream to celebrate Ken and Jean Swanson’s 50th Anniversary.

On Sunday, June 22, at 8:30 was a kids song fest, followed by a regular song fest at 9:00. At 9:30 the Savilles showed their appreciation for the Braddock Threshing Organization for allowing them to use their grounds by walking around and cleaning up any loose trash.

The Braddock Savilles began with Ernest and Sarah Saville.

Ernest Saville was born to William and Mary Saville in Derby, England, on November 7, 1876. He completed grade school when he was 14, and when he was 17 he emigrated to the United States. In the U.S. Ernest moved around often, finally settling down west of Braddock with his new bride, Sarah Jepson.

Sarah was born on a farm near Sac City, Iowa, on January 11, 1884, to Martin and Harriet Jepson. She completed the 8th grade and took a test to become certified to teacher up to the 3rd grade. Her family moved from Sac City to Canton, S.D. and then Plankinton, S.D. From here they moved to a farm four miles west of Braddock.

Sarah and Ernest had met in South Dakota, but they were apart for many years until Sarah’s family moved to Braddock. Ernest held a homestead in Wilton, but Sarah obtained a homestead in Braddock when she was 21. Ernest and Sarah were married on November 30, 1905. They decided to move to Sarah’s claim by Braddock, where they lived for 34 years.

Ernest and Sarah raised nine children. The children were, oldest to youngest, Frank, Fred, Ada (Swanson), Lee, Ray, Elsie (Weiser), Earl, Vernae (Olmsted) and Maxine (Smith).