Bio: Marincic, John & Agnes

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Marincic, Besal, Cesnik, Thomas, Pakiz, Ayala, Legat, Justin, Balchman, Foster, Klanchar, Korenchan, Jugovich, Sweetland, Altenbern, Luzovec, Trunkel, Petkovsek, Wolf, Dudack, Hintz, Clair

----Source: Family Scrapbook

Our parents Agnes Besal and John Marincic were born in Europe. Our mother came from Smzrjeske Toplice, near Novo Mesto (then Austria, now Jogoslavia). Father came from Zagorje, near Trieste (then Austria, now Italy). They both came to U.S.A., met in Pueblo, Colorado where they were married.

Later they moved to Chicago where we three children, Alvina, Rudolph, and Donnell (Donnie) were born. Sometime later a Mr. Ignac Cesnik, dealing in and selling land in the Willard area, came to Chicago and contacted our father. Cesnik being friends and born in the same village in Europe, talked him into moving to Willard and helping him on his farm. We came to Willard (approximately 1913).

Our first residence was a nice house that was built by a Mr. Thomas (years ago), later was the Mirko Pakiz home, and now owned by Mr. and Mrs. R. Ayala. We lived in this place until our house in town was finished (which is now owned by Felix Perko).

The entire town consisted of: a store owned by Justin & Legat, a depot, pickle-station, a few homes and a one room school house, where we went to school and Mass was also held in the school once or twice a month by Father Balchman of Greenwood. Building g of Holy Family Church came next. Most of the work was done by the parishioners. Our father took care of the church, building, fires, etc. Both our folks sang in the choir and choir practice was held in our home. Our home was also a first-aid place when anyone got sick.

Due to lack of work and more money needed, our father went to Sheboygan, Wisconsin and was employed at Kohler Company. The family followed and we lived there nearly two years. In the meantime, a full time priest came to Willard and a rectory was needed so our parents were approached about trading our home in town for 40 acres of land which had been donated to the church by Mr. N.C. Foster.

Completing the deal and leaving Sheboygan, we moved back to Willard and lived in Mr. Dudack’s home. It was east of Willard close to the Martin Kokaly place where we lived until a new house was built on our 40 acres, (Now owned by Frieda and Paul Klanchar. Mr. Andrew Korenchan and Mr. Scharenbrock were the carpenters-

After we moved into our new house, our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. John Jugovich, gave up farming due to illness and sold all their stock to us. As we still did not have a barn to house the stock, we moved into Jugovich's hone temporarily until our barn was completed.

From then on we bought more land, needed implements, etc. Our livelihood came from selling milk fo the cheese factory. Also our mother, who learned the dress-making trade in Europe, did sewing for neighbors.

She also worked for Mr. Sweetland of Neillsville^ Wisconsin who had the Singer sewing machine business there. She sold Singer machines to the Willard area people and taught them how to sew and keep their machines in repair. Our mother also worked at Mr. Altenbern's store (and Post Office) doing some postal work. At home she sold Watkin's Products. She started an adult school with the help of teachers for all people who could not speak English very well. She was the interpreter, Mr. Luzovec and Mrs. John Trunkel being two of the pupils.

Mrs. Bukovec and Mrs. Petkovsek bought the first two sewing machines she sold. Those were indeed hard years but neighbors always helped each other and so Willard has grown into a beautiful community.
There is much more that could be written. All of the preceding took place in the early 1900's. With the help of my sister, Alvina, I have written the high-lights.

Alvina, the eldest, lives in Dallas, Texas, Rudy lives in Willard, (Rock Dam) and winters in Florida. I, Donnie Wolf, live in Willard (Rock Dam).

Our parents are gone now, Mother in 1950, Father in 1963. Even though we were born in the city, Willard has always been home.

Our first friends and neighbors were the Clair's and Hintz's. Many are the fun nights were spent at Clair's playing cards such as Flinch or Pig.

Our mother's Singer sewing machine, which I remember her sewing on into the wee hours, is with me now, beautifully refinished and "at rest" in my home.

Donnell (Donnie) Wolf