Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barcal
by Emilie Barcal Reedy
(Transcribed, with permission from the Mellette County Historical Society, from "Mellette County 1911-1986" published by the Mellette County Historical Society)
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barcal moved to their farm 15 miles cast of White River from Odell, Nebraska, by train to Murdo in the year of 1915 bringing their daughter Anna, 6 years old, and Frank Jr., 4 years old. They rented a house in Cody Township. Anna's first-grade teacher was a Mr. Gerig, who also ran a print shop in White River. He told the Barcals that they could take over his homestead rights. So together with another good friend, Fred Kirch of Wood, who also managed a newspaper, he went to the courthouse in White River to sign for the homestead land. A Mr. Lemoniere of Chicago who originally got this homestead had never proved up on this land either, so he had to relinquish his rights. Mr. Cody Sinning, a good neighbor, was witness to the transaction. Mr. Sinning also ran a post office for many years. He was building a new house so Mr. Barcal helped with the carpenter work and field work. For this, the Barcals got Mr. Sinning's two-room homestead house and added it to their home.
The years were good, with plenty of rain. The grass, crops and gardens flourished. Two more daughters were born, Emilie in 1919 and Mary in 1924. By this time, the Barcal farm had become one of the showplaces in the county. They always had an abundance of flowers, fruit trees and small shrubs throughout the summer seasons. They had one of the largest strawberry patches in the county and shared the fruit with their friends and neighbors. A large brick barn was built with the help of the Czech ZCBJ Lodge members. In the summer when the loft was empty, barn dances were held in it. Frank Barcal would play his accordion for the square dances, polkas and waltzes. Neighbors for miles around came to enjoy the evening.
In 1927, Art Siegmund sold Frank our first and only Model T Ford. Now the 15 miles to town seemed much shorter. We took in more pie and basket socials, M & M Tent Show and, of course, the ZCBJ meetings of the Czech people.
Then came the drought years of the thirties. These, with the Depression and Frank having a light stroke, were more than Mother could bear, so they left the farm and moved into White River. When Frank's health improved he built a nice house and again beautified the yard with trees, flowers and a water lily pool. (He also planted the nice big pines that we have in front of the school.) They enjoyed ten good years there. Frank passed away in January of 1948 at the age of 64. Mrs. Barcal moved to Crawford, Nebraska, to be near her son Frank and daughter Anna and their families. In 1968, she went to live with her daughter Emilie of rural Philip because her health was failing. She passed away in 1970 at the age of 85. The eldest daughter, Anna, passed away in 1971, and the youngest daughter, Mary, passed away in California in 1973. Frank Barcal, Jr., still lives in Crawford, Nebraska, and Emilie Reedy lives in Philip, South Dakota.
by Emilie Barcal Reedy
(Transcribed, with permission from the Mellette County Historical Society, from "Mellette County 1911-1986" published by the Mellette County Historical Society)
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barcal moved to their farm 15 miles cast of White River from Odell, Nebraska, by train to Murdo in the year of 1915 bringing their daughter Anna, 6 years old, and Frank Jr., 4 years old. They rented a house in Cody Township. Anna's first-grade teacher was a Mr. Gerig, who also ran a print shop in White River. He told the Barcals that they could take over his homestead rights. So together with another good friend, Fred Kirch of Wood, who also managed a newspaper, he went to the courthouse in White River to sign for the homestead land. A Mr. Lemoniere of Chicago who originally got this homestead had never proved up on this land either, so he had to relinquish his rights. Mr. Cody Sinning, a good neighbor, was witness to the transaction. Mr. Sinning also ran a post office for many years. He was building a new house so Mr. Barcal helped with the carpenter work and field work. For this, the Barcals got Mr. Sinning's two-room homestead house and added it to their home.
The years were good, with plenty of rain. The grass, crops and gardens flourished. Two more daughters were born, Emilie in 1919 and Mary in 1924. By this time, the Barcal farm had become one of the showplaces in the county. They always had an abundance of flowers, fruit trees and small shrubs throughout the summer seasons. They had one of the largest strawberry patches in the county and shared the fruit with their friends and neighbors. A large brick barn was built with the help of the Czech ZCBJ Lodge members. In the summer when the loft was empty, barn dances were held in it. Frank Barcal would play his accordion for the square dances, polkas and waltzes. Neighbors for miles around came to enjoy the evening.
In 1927, Art Siegmund sold Frank our first and only Model T Ford. Now the 15 miles to town seemed much shorter. We took in more pie and basket socials, M & M Tent Show and, of course, the ZCBJ meetings of the Czech people.
Then came the drought years of the thirties. These, with the Depression and Frank having a light stroke, were more than Mother could bear, so they left the farm and moved into White River. When Frank's health improved he built a nice house and again beautified the yard with trees, flowers and a water lily pool. (He also planted the nice big pines that we have in front of the school.) They enjoyed ten good years there. Frank passed away in January of 1948 at the age of 64. Mrs. Barcal moved to Crawford, Nebraska, to be near her son Frank and daughter Anna and their families. In 1968, she went to live with her daughter Emilie of rural Philip because her health was failing. She passed away in 1970 at the age of 85. The eldest daughter, Anna, passed away in 1971, and the youngest daughter, Mary, passed away in California in 1973. Frank Barcal, Jr., still lives in Crawford, Nebraska, and Emilie Reedy lives in Philip, South Dakota.
Mellette County, South Dakota
Family Histories & Biographies - Barcal Surname
All the data on this web site is © Copyright 2009 by Genealogy Trails' Host with full rights reserved for original submitters.
This website is contiually changing. Data that is received is entered as quickly as possible. Please check back soon for additional entries!
If you would like information from our resources, have comments or suggestions, or would like to contribute to this site, please email us.
If you would like information from our resources, have comments or suggestions, or would like to contribute to this site, please email us.
Barcal Surname
We are posting the information we have as quickly as possible. However, most information is not yet available on the website but is available to those who request it. If you would like additional information or you can contribute any information, please contact us.
Frank and Marie Barcal. Anna and Frank. Taken before they left Odell. Nebraska, for Mellette County
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |