John Jacob Riske, Sr.

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John Riske was born in Poland in September, 1841. Realizing that he could not earn enough in his native land to support those dependent upon him, he emigrated to America with his wife and baby in 1872. He could not speak English, and when he landed in New York he had just one dollar in his pocket. He and his young wife set out for the mining state of Pennsylvania, working their way as they went. The young man found employment in a mine and all was going well, when a terrific explosion occurred burning him so seriously that he was ill for weeks. During this time the little family felt the pinch of poverty but they struggled bravely on. Finally they made their way to Winona where they had relatives, and Mrs. Riske found work in a factory. Soon after their arrival a new sorrow fell upon them, for their baby died.

About this time the first settler s were venturing into the Red River Valley. Learning of lands that could be had for settlement, Mr. Riske left his wife and their new baby in Winona and started in 1875 for Dakota Territory by ox team. After weeks of slow travel he came to what is now Walsh County and "squatted" on land in Ardoch Township. His homestead was on the Forest River and he set out to build a log house. Game was abundant. Deer could be had for the shooting and occasionally scattered bunches of buffalo were seen. Indians roamed the plains. On his land was one of their burial grounds, and down by the river a place where they had met for their tribal dances. Winters were severe and men and beast suffered from exposure. Grand Forks was a supply station, consisting of a few rude shacks fringing the Red River. Communication with the outside world was by river or ox cart. The first spring Mr. Riske broke a small patch of ground, broadcast, cut his crop with a scythe, threshed it with flails, and hauled it with oxen to Pembina, the nearest market. Later a mill was built at Drayton which shortened the haul across the plain.

As time passed and he prospered, substantial buildings replaced the log structures of pioneer days. Mr. Riske never forgot his kinfolk in Poland, and because he believed that they should have the chance that he had found in America, sent passage money to a sister and two brothers and three brothers and two sisters of his wife.

John Riske was a real pioneer. He came to the Northwest not in quest of adventure, but to make the living for his family, denied him in his native land. His is the life story of a sober, industrious man who overcame poverty and through hard work and right living acquired a competency and won the respect of all who knew him. He disposed of his farm and bought the home in Minto where he lived three years before his death. He was twice married. His first wife died in 1885. His second wife was Mardella Rolczinski, also a native of Poland. He had 12 children-three by the first marriage, Mrs. Felix Kamrowski, Mrs. Vincent Gerzewski, Ardoch, and Mrs. August Meshefski, Drayton; and nine by the second - Lawrence of Dryaton; John and Mike, Ardoch Township; Mrs. Reszka, Minto; Mrs. Frank Kosmatka, Warsaw; and Clara, Amelia, Johanna and Theodosia.

John Riske died Sept. 22, 1922, and funeral services were held from the Polish Catholic Church in Minto, and later from St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Warsaw, of which he was a charter member. [from Walsh Heritage - vol. 1]