Julius Peter Reszka

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1859 (25 Aug) a Martin Reschke (Beschke) (48yrs), Eva Reschke (Beschke) (38yrs), Auguste Reschke (Beschke) (9yrs), Jul. Reschke (Beschke) (7yrs), Franz Reschke (Beschke) (2yrs) & Rosine Reschke (Beschke) (6mos) arrived in New York from Hamburg, Germany on the ship "Donau".

Julius Riske, born in Prussia, near Russia, and Rosalie Stebar, born in Czechoslovakia, immigrated to Winona, Mi nn, with their parents. Julius was the son of Lucy and Martin Riske, and Rosalie, the daughter of Frank and Mary Stebar.

The two were married in St. Anne's Catholic Church in. Winona, Mi nn, and made their home there until land was offered for settlement.

They came to this area by train, with their possessions in a boxcar, to Fisher's Landing, now named Fisher, Minn. The railroad went only that far at that time. They brought with them a team of oxen, a wagon, a plow, a milking cow, 10 chickens, several sacks of oats and wheat; their second child, Frank, was only three months old. Their first child, Julius, died in infancy, and was buried in Winona. Their first home was made in a river bank with swamp grass for the roof. Wild game and fish were their source of food, along with milk and the vegetables they grew.

At first, 80 acres of land was grubbed out and tilled and planted. After a few more years, more land was obtained — this was in Walshville Township, six acres of trees were planted and cared for, and after six years were owned by them. This was called a "tree claim." Julius trapped wild animals and sold the pelts. He went by foot to a fur trading post, 34 miles each way, to sell the skins. At harvest time he walked 60 miles to Casselton, N. Dak,to work there, and earn wages to help with more provisions until he could afford to build a log house.

Several children were born and raised in the log house until 1910 when a beautiful home was built on the family place.

Fifteen children were born to Julius and Rosalie — Julius, Frank, John, Julian, Joe, Leo, Martin, Steven, Anastasia, Suzanna, Felia, Amelia, Agnes, Sophia, and Effie.

Julius died at infancy. Frank, who married Stella Lizakowski; passed away in 1951; they had five children, John, married to Frances Danielski, they had three daughters; he passed away in 1962. Joe was married to Stella Stanislawski, and had six children; he died in 1975. Julian died at the age of six months. Leo, who married Clara Mach, had five children; he expired in 1957. Steven was married to Winnifred Cheslik; they have one daughter; he died in 1965. Martin, married to Frances Stoltman, had five children. Stella Riske, married to Aloze Czapiewski, had eight children; she passed away in 1960. Suzanna was married to Anton Miller, and had six children; she died in 1963. Felia was married to Mike Stupek; they had four children; she died in 1965. Emma (Amelia) was married to Ed Galewski; they have three children. Agnes married Albert Ovshak; they have three children. Sophie died in 1905 at the age of three months. Effie was born in 1905. The youngest of the family, she married Andrew Rolzinski in 1928. They have five children.

Julius and Rosalie Riske retired from farming and moved to the city of Minto in 1920. Their son, Martin, and his wife operated the home farmplace.

Julius died in 1925 at the age of 76; Rosalie passed on in 1950, at the age of 93. Both are buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Minto, N. Dak.

At the time of this, writing (1980) there are four surviving of the family — Martin, who lives in Grafton; Emma (Amelia), who lives in Los Angeles; Agnes, Minneapolis; and Effie, of Minto, N. Dak. [from Walsh Heritage, vol. 4]