Bio: Chesak, Frank F. (1867 – 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Chesak, Sigmond, Blaszka, Gates, Ruder

---Source: History of Marathon County Wisconsin and Representative Citizens, by Louis Marchetti, 1913.

Chesak, Frank F. (30 January 1867 – 19??)

FRANK F. CHESAK, who is extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber and a member of the board of directors of the Athens Manufacturing Company, directs a large Real Estate, Loan and Insurance business at Athens and for years has been one of the dominating men of Marathon County. He was born on a farm in the town of Trenton, Washington County, Wis., January 30, 1867, ten years after his parents, Martin and Mary (Sigmond) Chesak, had come to America from Austria. The father was a brick-maker by trade, but three years after locating in Washington County, Wis., he engaged in farming, continued until 1884 and then moved to Marathon County, where, until the close of his life he was interested in merchandising and lumber.  

After completing the common school course, Frank F. Chesak, in 1885, went to Poniatowski. Several years later he became a student at Pierce Business College, at Keokuk, Ia., where he was graduated. He then returned and went into his father's store at Poniatowski and became also interested with his father and two brothers in lumbering. In 1889 he was appointed postmaster there and served until 1894, and in 1895 was appointed general clerk of the State Land Office at Madison and served until July, 1902. In 1909 by the Marathon County Board of Supervisors he was elected treasurer of the Marathon County Agricultural School Board, in 1903 having represented the village of Athens on the County Board. For many years he held the office of justice of the peace, was twice elected president of the Athens Advancement Association; is police justice for the village of Athens; was chairman of the Republican County Committee of Marathon County, 1908-1910, and was the republican candidate for State senator, from the 25th Senatorial District, composed of Clark and Marathon Counties. Mr. Chesak is well qualified for the many responsible positions which he has been called upon to accept. He is a master of four languages: English, German, Bohemian and Polish.

Mr. Chesak was married September 13, 1894, to Anna Blaszka, who was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Gates) Blaszka. The parents came from Poland to the United States and the father is a merchant in Chicago. Mr. Chesak is interested in the Athens Printing Company, being on the board of directors, is a stockholder in the Athens Bank, in the Geo. Ruder Brewing Company, in the Badger Ginseng Company of Wausau, and the Athens Telephone Company, and is a member of the board of directors and vice president of the Marathon County Telephone Company.