----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 06/23/1921

Skerbeck, Frank (15 JUN 1847 - 15 JUN 1921)

Frank Skerbeck, for nearly 40 years a resident of Dorchester, Clark County, Wis., died of heart trouble while riding on his merry-go-round at Oshkosh, Jun 15, 1921, his 74th birthday.

During wedding festivities of his granddaughter, Tillie Seabold, he, in his usual genial way, suggested a ride to add to their joy and during the ride he quietly slipped away into the land where trouble never follows.

The body was brought to Dorchester Thursday afternoon and will be laid to rest on Friday; services were at the Catholic Church, of which he was a faithful member and interment was in the Catholic Cemetery.

Frank Skerbeck was born in Austic, Austria, on June 15, 1847, and at the age of twelve mastered the feat of swallowing swords and entered the circus ring. Mr. Skerbeck has always laid claim to the fact that he was the first man to perform this feat, which has neer been disputed. On Feb. 22, 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tillie and 16 children were born to them, eight of who are dead and eight living: three sons, Joe, Gust, and Frank, and five daughters, Antonette, Annie, Clara, Amanda and Pearl.