Bio: Puhek, John & Mary

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Puhek, Arko, Cesnik, Christmas, Janezich, Oblack, Hribar

----Source: Family Scrapbook

John Puhek was born in Tanca Gora near Cronomelju Slovenia. He came to the United States and settled in thg state of Washington in 1890 where he was employed at a brick factory for several years. He then went to Michigan where he worked in the mines. After several years he went to Ely, Minnesota where he married Mary Arko in 1901. Mary Arko was born in Dolenje Vas near Ribnica, Slovenia. She came to Ely in 1899.

In the Spring of 1910 they came to Gorman to settle on land bought through Ignac Cesnik. Before their house was built they lived with a man named John Christmas close to the Anton Janezich farm. He acted as depot agent at that time and had a telephone. When Mr. Christmas moved away the telephone was transferred to the depot. After the Puhek's moved into their home the building was used as a school with Sam Long as teacher and was called the Christmas School. The depot was a gathering place for many years as the mail and most everything was shipped by train.

There were thirteen children in the Puhek family including two sets of twins, namely: John born in and lives in Hibbing, Minnesota. Mary born in Ely passed away in Milwaukee. Joe born in Ely passed away in Milwaukee. Frank was born in Ely and lives in Hibbing. Eddie and Mattie (twins) were born in Willard - passed away. Ignac was born in Willard and lives in Chisholm, Minnesota. William was born in Willard and lives in Big Lake, Minnesota. Ann was born in Willard and lives in Milwaukee and Tony (twins) were born in Willard and lives in Chisholm. Robert was born in Chisholm and lives in Hibbing. Frances was born in Chisholm and lives in Chisholm. Bernard was born in Chisholm and lives in Milwaukee.

Upon leaving the farm in 1918 they sold it to Ignac Cesnik who later sold it to Paul Oblack Sr. It is now owned by William Hribar.