‘Czech and Then Some Tracing Roots’

Ron Pulkrabek recently published, “Czech and Then Some Tracing Roots.”

Pulkrabek, who makes his home in Rich Valley, MN – midway between Hutchinson, Glencoe, and Silver Lake – knows plenty about history.

Take his farm, for instance. It was homesteaded 138 years ago. He’s the fourth generation of his family to live there.

With information like this, it’s not surprising to learn he’s interested in genealogy, too. So much so, he’s written several family history books that trace his roots, as well as his wife, Eileen’s – all the way to the Czech Republic.

At 79, the local native has plenty of stories to tell. So many in fact, he approached Rich Glennie, publisher, two years ago to write a column for the Silver Lake Leader and the Glencoe Chronicle. Titled “Tracing Roots,” Pulkrabek did just that.

Limiting himself to 800 words per column, Pulkrabek wrote about subjects near and dear to his heart – the towns and people who lived in the area.

Pulkrabek quit writing his column, and that’s when he started working on his book. He has compiled his “Tracing Roots” columns into spiral-bound book format of 153 pages with 50 black-and-white photos.

The columnist runs the gamut in terms of subjects. The articles range from what Silver Lake was like in 1933 and Glencoe in the 1950s to duck blood soup, the “Beer Barrel Polka” and Pla-Mor Ballroom.

“If somebody doesn’t write them (the stories) down, we forget them – what our ancestors went through, the sacrifices and hardships,” he said.

In his story titled “The Wessales,” Pulkrabek wrote about his great-great grandfather, John Wessale.

On Jan. 18, 1864, the 39-year-old left a wife and six children living in a cabin in the woods near Waconia and walked to Fort Snelling to enlist in the Army.

Pvt. Wessale of the Third Minnesota Regiment shipped out to Pine Bluff, AR. Poor drinking water and bad sanitation led to disease, claiming 89 of the 200 men in his camp. He died – probably never having fired a shot.

For many folks, Biscay is a whistle-stop between Hutchinson and Glencoe. Blink, and you’ll probably miss it. This wasn’t always the case. Pulkrabek writes of the town’s bustling businesses at the turn of the 20th century. Among those he mentioned, the first cooperative creamery in Minnesota, State Bank of Biscay; the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Depot; and Biscay Flour Milling Co. For many years, a Fourth of July parade took place in Biscay.

And then there’s a story about the Silver Lake Castle. It’s the imposing brick house you can see from State Highway 7 as you travel through Silver Lake. It was built by Wencel Chalupsky in 1907. It has been restored and a two-car carriage house has been added.

Every now and again someone will ask, “Where is Koniska?” Pulkrabek shared the tale of the lost village that was incorporated with such high hopes in 1856.

It’s easy to read, because every chapter is a new story.

“You can read an article and put it down and pick it up again,” Pulkrabek said.

Sales are brisk

So far, the book has been well-received.

“I’ve sold about 100 books,” he said. “Hopefully, that will spread out.”

One woman bought six books for her relations and children.

“Word gets around,” Pulkrabek said. “I’ve sent books to California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Colorado.”

He also has a copy heading to his sixth cousin in Prague.

“Older people enjoy it because they remember it,” he said. “Every farm was a little factory. They worked like crazy to survive, especially during the Great Depression. I remember having bread and milk with sugar for supper.”

Pulkrabek can credit his yen for traveling for his writing. To pass the time on the plane rides home, he would write a report about his trip.

“At first they were handwritten, and then I switched to the computer,” he said. “Thank goodness for spell check.”

Pulkrabek is hoping his book will inspire others to “latch onto their own heritage and write their own books.”

“I’m happy it’s selling well in my estimation,” he said. “It gets people thinking, to share their memories with their children and grandchildren.”