News: Clark County Historical Society (8 Nov 1973)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Yndogliato, Jonkel, Vorland, Tischendorf, Fitzmaurice, Drescher, Cattanach, Andregg, Gotter, Teeples, Juntenen, Sisson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/15/1973

Clark County Historical Society (8 November 1973)

The Clark County Historical society met last Thursday evening at Neillsville High School with an element of surprise when the society secretary, Mrs. Tom (Jonkel) Yndogliato of Neillsville was introduced to present a program relating to her childhood days in St. Louis, Mo., where her parents owned a bakery. The entire family worked seven days each week.

The huge mixing bowl for cake batter was on display. Although rusted through the years since last used, it gave an indication of the mammoth job it was to stir up one of white and one chocolate. In the first years, there was no mixer and her father mixed by hand about 600 loaves of bread for the shop as well as rolls and coffee cakes daily.

The two Jonkel brothers were in charge of the two delivery wagons, beginning work at 5 a.m., when the bakery opened. With a blast of a whistle, Mrs. Yndogliato demonstrated the arrival of the bakery wagon.

She told how she, as little Ruby Jonkel, was awakened early each morning to flip the donuts for her father. With a long stick, she showed how to roll them in sugar and cinnamon before stacking. Then she would have a few hours of sleep before going to school.

Since the flour was not as highly refined, it took longer to process the bread. Prices were amazing. With the purchase of five loaves for a quarter one would get a heart-shaped token for a free loaf. The token had the Jonkel name with five cents stamped on it. (One token was passed around)

Mrs. Yndogliato answered many questions about those early days in the bakery and the big change the family made going onto a farm in the Town of Hewett.

During the business meeting, Mrs. Pearl Vorland gave a summary of the dinner held in Dorchester. Appreciation was expressed by members for the excellent job in preparing and serving which was donated by Mrs. Nellie Tischendorf. Mrs. Vorland then presented a generous check to the society.

Mrs. Larry Fitzmaurice of Taylor gave her mothers’ wedding dress for the museum. She was the late Mrs. Oscar Drescher of Neillsville, who was married in 1903. This is the first wedding dress which the society has received.

Among communications read was the form for the final report of the “America the Beautiful” fund which is due November 15.

The next meeting will be held at the Clark Electric auditorium in Greenwood. It was decided to have potluck holiday goodies for that lunch.

Mrs. Nina Cattanach, Mrs. Violet Andregg and Celen Gotter were appointed to serve on the nominating committee. Members of the board of directors, whose terms expired include: Violet Teeples, Mae Juntenen and William Sisson. Election of officers will take place at the annual meeting in December.