----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 07/15/1926

Borck, Fred (5 DEC 1856 - 11 Jul 1926)

Again the Grip Reaper has entered our midst and claimed one of our old settlers and pioneers. Fred Borck was born in Germany, Dec. 5, 1856. In 1866, when ten years of age, he came to America with his parents and sister. Upon landing in New York his father was sunstruck and died there. This left the ten year old boy alone with his mother and sister to face the future in the new country. They came to Calumet Co., Wis., and settled near Hayton, where he went to work at the lime kilns. In 1880 he was married to Tina Oesau of New Holstein. They first made their home near Hayton, Calumet, Co. In 1883 they came to Clark County, Wis. and settled on a piece of land in the town of Worden, which was then all virgin forest, to face the hardships and privations of a pioneer life. Here, together with his faithful wife, they lived, and through hard work and perseverance made for themselves a beautiful farm and home, and together with the other pioneers developed a prosperous community; were honored and respected by a wide circle of friends, in fact, everybody they came in contact with. Eight children were born to them, four sons and four daughters. One son, Bert, preceded him in death in 1910 at the age of nineteen years.

Fred Borck served the public as a member of the town board and member of the school board, and was ever willing and ready to support anything that added to the progress and prosperity of the country. He was a member of the local Woodman Lodge for many years.

In 1919 they sold their farm in the town of Worden and came to retire and make their home in the village of Thorp, to enjoy the reward of many years of hard work.

About six weeks ago he was stricken with paralysis. At first he did not realize the intention of the unwelcome visitor, always having enjoyed good health before this, but he kept getting weaker and weaker until Sunday morning, July 11th, 1926, at 2 o'clock he quietly passed away.

There now survive him to mourn his death, his wife, four daughters, Mrs. George Yoder of Gilman, Wis., Mrs. Henry Coates, Mrs. Richard Coates, of the town of Reseburg, Mrs. Margie Cumm of Seattle, Wash.; three sons, Herbert, Arthur and Edward, at home at Thorp, nine grandchildren and a host of friends. May he rest in peace.

The funeral took place from the residence on Tuesday afternoon, Rev. W. P. Powell of Owen, conducting the services. The attendance was very large, over fifty automobiles loaded with neighbors and friends, following the hearse to the Thorp Village Cemetery.

The pallbearers were: Fred Fischer, Theo. Broeren, Phil Mattes, John Verkuilen, B. F. Rusch and John Boie.