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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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