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Souce: Theodore (Ted) Skroch
Grandpa Frank followed his Dad to
Independence, Wisconsin when he
was
21 years old. In 1883 he went to
Watertown S.D. and worked around that area as
a Carpenter. He left Watertown in 1887
when he went into the Red River Valley near
Grand Forks, N.Dak. where he worked until
1889 at which time he returned to his
home in Wisconsin. In March 1893 he came
back to Geneseo, N. Dak. where he lived
till 1931. He then lived in Lidgerwood
N. Dak., part of his time with his
daughter Frances and the rest of the time with
his son Ted until his death April 18, 1938.
I wish I had gotten to know Grandpa.
Source: The following article was from a
newspaper article on Frank Skroch
Snow-Drift 16 feet 1897, Frank Skroch
Hale and hardy at 75, Frank Skroch, resident
of this territory since 1893 declared
Wednesday "times were better in those days
because everything was cheaper".
Mr. Skroch passed the three-quarter century
mark October 10, at the home of his son, Ted,
who operates a filling station here. His
family and a few friends helped him observe
the anniversary.
Born in Upper Seliesa, Polish territory in
1860 Mr. Skroch came to Wisconsin with his
parents when he was nearly 22 years old.
His father settled a farm near Independence
and Frank stayed with him until the winter
months when he went into the woods as a
lumberjack. In the spring of 1883 he
went to Watertown S.D.
and worked around that country as a
carpenter.
In the winter of '84 he was caught in a
blizzard on his way back to the farm where he
staying.
"I walked from the farm to Watertown, 46
miles, to get some stock in the morning." he
recalled. "I left after dinner and when
I had walked about 16 miles back it started to
snow, I couldn't see much but I happened to be
near a strawpile which was used to shelter
cattle. I had to dig my way through the
snow but I got under it. That was 4 p.m.
The following day at 3 p.m. I finally crawled
out and walked to the nearest farm."
Mr. Skroch stayed around Watertown until 1887
when he went into the Red River Valley, near
Grand Forks where he worked until 1889 at
which time he returned to his Wisconsin
home. March 28, 1893 he came to Geneseo
where he stayed until the fall of 1931.
In 1893 Lake Tewaukan was dry. It filled
in 1897 and did not go dry until 1934, he
stated.
" In the winter and spring of '96 and '97 it
rained and snowed." he said. "I
remember a drift 16 feet high between the
depot and the elevator at Geneseo. No
trains came over the Great Northern for three
months and the Soo came through only once a
week. We had no coffee or sugar so we
burned barley and sometimes wheat to make our
own coffee. Some times we had
mash. When the snow thawed I made a boat
at my father-in-law's place, John Maczkowicz,
and I rowed from his place, a mile and a half
to Geneseo.
In 1897 he was married and a year later he
bought one acre in Geneseo from Joe Woytassek
for $10. He built the home which is now
occupied by Lee Odenbrett. He is the
father of 10 children, three of whom are
dead. He has two daughters, Frances and
Victoria, and five sons, George, John,
Ted, Albert, and Peter. Mrs.
Skroch died in 1928.
Source: Article from the newspaper:
FRANK SKROCH DIES HERE AT AGE OF 77
Frank Skroch, 77 years old, veteran
carpenter, died Monday morning in the home of
a son Theodore Skroch, after an illness of six
weeks.
Funeral sevices will be held at 9 a.m.,
Friday in St John's Catholic church with
Rev. John Kulczyk officiating.
Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery in
Geneseo. The Hankins Funeral home is in charge
of arrangements. Pallbearers were Frank
Wisnewski, John Kaczynski, Wencel Mokrzewawi,
Roch Waldera, Joseph Teusch, Albert Lawerence,
and Walter Ressler.
Mr. Skroch was born October 10, 1860, in
Poland, and came to the United States 58
years ago. He settled in Sargent county
and for 45 years was active as a
carpenter. He constructed many of the
early building in Lidgerwood and was employed
in construction of farm homes and barns
throughtout this locality.
He retired about six years ago and came to
Lidgerwood to live with his son. Mrs
Skroch died 10 years ago, May 14,
1928.
Surviving him are two daughters, Mrs Andrew
Woytassek of Lidgerwood and Mrs Ralph Kiefer
of Geneseo; five sons, Theodore and Albert of
Lidgerwood, George Skroch of Stiles, Peter of
Valley City and John Skroch of Des Moines,
Ia. Two daughters and one son preceded
him in death.
Grand Pa Frank lived with Andy and Francis
until Mom and Dad rented a house with a
bedroom where he could sleep. GrandPa
liked his drink, but didn't abuse it
Source: ?
Mom said GrandPa was a small gentle man,
never had that much to say and was never
pushie. Uncle Albert was the most like
Grandpa. Uncle John was a lot like
Grandpa Maczkowicz.
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