Bio: Vesel, Frank & Katarina

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Vesel, Vessel, Frankovich, Routar, Gregorich, Novak

----Source: Family Scrapbook

Frank Vesel was born in Dolejna Vas near Ribnica. Frank was a shoemaker by trade. At that time shoe makers traveled from one village to another and stopped in the homes until all the family had shoes, then would travel on to another village and homes. He came to Belhrajna, that is near Croatia and there met Katarina Frankovich. They were married in Vinica.

To this union were born seven children: Frank, oldest son; daughter Catherine, who died at the age of four; John, Mary, Joseph (who died at the age of a year and a half), Josephine and Anna. They were all born in Austria, now Jugoslavia. Katerina was born in Nova Lipa.

Frank Vesel was a shoe maker, as mentioned before, but factory made shoes came on the market, which were much cheaper. His family was growing, so he decided to go to America in 1898. His first trip was to Kansas City, Kansas. He lived there a few years then went to Omaha, Nebraska. His health became poor and he returned home to Jugoslavia, where he stayed home a year or two.

His oldest son Frank was 18 years old when they returned to Calumet, Michigan, they both worked in the copper mines. Father stayed three years then returned home again, stayed home three years, then his son John returned with him to Calumet, Michigan.

In those mines there were many accidents and many lives were lost. Son John was hurt badly in the mines. He couldn't work in the mines anymore so he went to school and learned to be a watch maker and a jeweler.

John read in a Slovenian newspaper about Willard and the farms. He went to Willard and bought 40 acres with the house and barn on it for $3200.00. Father Frank Vesel moved in 1913 to this farm. He returned to Jugoslavia (his fourth trip) and brought the rest of the family (his wife and three daughters) in 1914.

Mary moved to Ely, Minnesota and married Louis Routar. They are both deceased. Josephine moved to Calumet, Michigan where she married Joe Gregorich. They are both deceased.

Anna moved to Ely, Minnesota and married John Novak. John died in 1975. She now resides in Greenwood.

John and Margaret Vesel were married, and they moved to Greenwood in 1921. She died in June 1966. John is living in Greenwood.

Catherine Vesel died in Greenwood in 1939 and is buried in Greenwood.