This is an attempt to help to know who we are,
and remember where we came from; these are the "Roots" that have
nourished our blossoming trees, allowing us to grow. It is dedicated to
all who have paved the roads for us, and the world we live in.
If any errors are found I would like to correct them, or if you would just like
to tell me about the ancestors you found here, please contact me at: jerrygarrison@yahoo.com
. I do try and reply to all who write. This revision may have
changed a search engine referral page; if so, please
Ole Erik Bjerke, the oldest son of Bertha and John Pederson Bjerke, started the first grade at the Tremblay School in the fall of 1901. Together with his brother, Elmer, they walked the one and one-half mile distance to and from the schoolhouse on a path through the woods and fields. When the town of Ruby was established and a school opened there, the Bjerke children had to attend the new school since their farm was located in the new township. Ole, who had completed the seventh grade at Tremblay, did not continue at Ruby. Instead, he stayed at home and did the farm work and chores and looked after the others in the family while his father was working in logging camps away from home in the winter time. This caused his father to have some difficulties with the county school officials, but in the end, nothing came of it.
In the spring of 1911, Ed Hawn needed to hire a man and team for some work at the Ruby mill. Ole took the job, using his father's team of horses. This was subsequently the source of a disagreement between Ole and his father which resulted in Ole's decision to leave home and look for work elsewhere. A friend that he had met at the mill, Bill Hetchler who was originally from Dodge Center, Minnesota, had recently returned there to work. Ole walked to Stanley and took the train from there to Dodge City via the Twin Cities, using his salary from the mill job to purchase the ticket. There he found work with a farmer with whom he stayed about two years. Meanwhile, back at home there was considerable anxiety since Ole had told no one about his plans or proposed destination. His first letter home, which he didn't write until several weeks after he left, brought a great feeling of relief to his worried family.
The electric industry was beginning to establish itself in the smaller towns of the Midwest at this time. In Dodge Center, a steam engine was used to operate a generator which provided electricity for the city. In about 1913, Ole got a job there, thus beginning the work which was to become his career. There he learned to wire homes and other buildings, to string lines, and all of the other essentials of the electrical business. He also learned about farm light plants which consisted of a gasoline engine which was operated two or three days a week depending on the electrical needs of the farm, a generator, and several storage batteries. In 1915, he took the position of Superintendent of the light plant in the village of St. Charles, Minnesota.
At about this time, he met a young lady named Ruth Kitch whom he took as his bride on October 4, 1916. They moved to Marshall, Minnesota, where they established the Bjerke Electric Shop in June, 1917. In the years that followed, Ole sold light plants to the farmers in the vicinity and wired many farms in the Marshall area. He also wired or rewired many homes and business establishments in the city of Marshall itself. For a while, he also sold electrical equipment for businesses. At first the business waxed and Ole hired various people to work for him, including his brother Elmer in 1920 and again in 1923. With the depression, it waned, but thereafter it expanded again and grew more or less continuously ever since.
In 1916, Ole took his bride back to Wisconsin for their honeymoon and in later years he returned with his family on several occasions to visit. Because of the distance and the pressure of business, it was not possible to make the trip often.
Since his business put him in contact with many people, he was widely known in the community. He became active in the Masonic Lodge and the associated Order of the Eastern Star in about 1919 and was an enthusiastic member until his death. As he had prospered by selling the service of electricity, so also was it the cause of his death. On November 4, 1944, he was electrocuted while working at a country home.
This page was made possible through the help of many
people.
First, and foremost, I want to thank my ancestors, without whom I wouldn't be
here, and without whom I wouldn't be the same person I am. Second, all of the
people on the Kitch-L list who
have helped and given encouragement, but especially for the major contributions
by Linda (Antram) Smith and Tom Kitch; these two furnished both inspiration and
names and dates, as well as a sounding board for my ideas. In addition I
have had help and support from H. Vernon of California, the Pattersons of Iowa, C.
Farnham of California, and too many others to name here. It is
appreciated, and as long as we keep living, our genealogy will continue growing.
