My Life as I Lived It

**My Life as I Lived It**
By Theodore Sokolik
November 23, 1955
I was born in New Prague Minnesota [on January 10, 1879] and the family lived at my father's [Frank Sokolik's] farm just outside the city limits, where his hobby was raising fine stock cattle and horses. As time went on he made up his mind to help build railroads. That was when the country was young and advancing. And from time to time we the family followed him in his work, which was from town to town and state to state. At times we lived in log cabins, which at that time were surrounded by Indians, with whom I often played with. This was at the time when the country was wild with deer, bear, and other wild animals. As time went on Mother [Anna ] was taken sick. So the family returned to New Prague and then to St. Paul where she was hospitalized. In the mean time I was taken to a farm, mother's friend, till she returned from the hospital. Here my sleeping quarters were in the hay loft, this was in the summer time. The farmer was unkind to me, so one day I made up my mind to run away which I did with my little pal, my dog, to our home five miles away. Upon my arrival, I learned that Mother was very sick and wanted my brother John and myself rushed to her bedside, which was complied with. I was seven years of age. We arrived in St. Paul too late, for Mother had passed on a few hours earlier. Of the sad news, I cried and would not eat. As young as I was I understood the great loss we sustained. We were taken to the hospital where I viewed Mother as she laid in the casket. I was so small that I was raised up to her resting place. I then put my arms around her neck and kissed her farewell forever, parting with one that can never be replaced. After the funeral, we were taken to Rush City to live with Mother's sister [Katerina Jana ]. She too soon past away. From there, we shifted to Chicago where we lived with Mother's brother [James] who had a family of his own to support with small means, living in a small four room basement flat. A friend and a physician to the family saw the condition in such small quarters, seemed to like me, and found out that I was made an orphan and insisted on adopting me, but without success, depriving me of a brighter future in life. I had no choice; there I remained in poverty. The only time I knew of Christmas was through charity. I started to work at the age of eleven years [about 1890], helping to support myself, with all odds against me. Walking five miles to work winter and summer for many years. At times I did not have clothing warm enough to keep my slender body warm. One winter I had worn a straw hat, it was the best I had. On one cold windy day as I was going to work I was so cold from the wind that I stopped at the side of a building to get warm crying. A kind lady stopped and asked me why I was crying, I think she knew. She asked my name and address, then I had told her of the loss I had sustained through the loss of Mother and a home. She dried my tears and kissed me just like mother did when she lived. A few days later, I received a new suit, overcoat, cap, and a pair of warm gloves that kept me warm all winter. Who the good lady was I never learned, but many times I prayed for her. To me, she was the gift of God whom I then so badly needed. After working hours, I peddled newspapers on the corner of Adams and Clark Streets earning from fifteen to twenty cents a night. A hard way to earn a living. I tried hard to keep the light of life bright and cheerful. As the years passed and a brighter future seemed to shine upon me, I tried hard to live a modest life. After the death of Mother, I never again saw my father or my brother, the sad memory of sixty-five years [since 1890]. In life, I traveled a great deal. I am happy to state that I enjoyed life such as it was. Never accumulated great wealth, but lived happily in a humble home with my dear wife and daughters, Eleanor and Virginia. Now as my life's journey fast passing, the family name will soon fade away. Theodore Sokolik November 23, 1955

**Interpretive Comments**
Theodore Sokolik wrote the above story on November 23, 1955. It is a great story and contains many interesting insights into the history of our collective family. It also has presented an interesting challenge to figure out who was who and how they connected to us. Brackets [ ] within the story have been added to insert current interpretations of names and dates Theodore was referring to. Within the story, various gramMarch and spelling corrections have been made to improve readability. Year and Place of Birth It is still unclear exactly where and when Theodore was born. His story says it was New Prague Minnesota, but there is significant conflicting data. His family believes his birthday was January 10 and the year was originally thought to be 1880. The 1880 Census taken in Montgomery on June 10, 1880 shows Theodore to be one year old, suggesting he was born in 1878 or 1879. The 1885 Census taken in Rush City on May 1, 1885 indicates Theodore was 6 years old and born in Bohemia. This again suggests an 1878 or 1879 year of birth and places that birth in Bohemia. Given that his parents provided the data for these two early censuses, one would assume that an 1878 or 1879 year of birth in Bohemia is probably accurate. The 1900 Census taken on June 7, 1900 indicates Theodore was born in June 1878 in Bohemia and that he was 21 years old at the time. If the June information is correct, then as long as Theodore was born in late June 1878 then this data is consistent with the ages provided in the previous censuses. It is unknown if Theodore or the Filipeks provided the data for the 1900 Census. The 1910 Census taken on April 23, 1910 indicates Theodore was 31 years old which is consistent with the 1900 Cenus but for the first time the place is changed to Minnesota. The 1920 Census taken on January 17, 1910 indicates Theodore was 38 years old and born in Minnesota. On this census, I believe that the age was to be listed as of January 1, 1920, so an age of 38 suggests a year of birth of 1881. Another early piece of data is the Ship Index Record for the Lessing for May 7, 1879 which names all the Sokolik family members, Franz and Anna, and sons Franz, Johann, and an unnamed party indicated by a question mark. The unnamed party was 1/4 years old. It is possible this was Theodore. At some point the full record will be obtained. Probably the unnamed party was named; it's just that the person doing the indexing couldn't read the handwriting. In a search of birth records for Kolence, the birth records for Theodore's brothers Frantisek and Jan were found, but Theodore's could not be located. Possibly they are there and were just missed, or it is possible he was born elsewhere. As a working hypothesis, it is suggested that Theodore was born January 10, 1879 in Bohemia, possibly Kolence and not in New Prague, Minnesota as indicated in his story. This is based on the early census data, which was filled out by his parents, and also on the ship index record. Further information from a baptismal record or the actual ship arrival record may clarify the exact date of birth and location. Theodore's Mother Theodore was the son of Frank and Anna Sokolik and Anna's maiden name was Filipek. Based on records from Bohemia, Anna was born January 17, 1853 in Kolence. Assuming she died when he was seven, the year would have been about 1886 and she would have been about 33 years old when she died. Theodore's father, Frantisek was born November 29, 1832 and was 20 years older than Anna. Mother's Sister After his mother's death, Theodore stayed with his mother's sister. This would be Katerina Jana. Katerina was another daughter of Anton Filipek. It is believed both the Sokolik and Jana families immigrated to Minnesota during the late 1870s, possibly at the same time. Katerina Jana (nee Filipek) was born July 15, 1858 and was five years younger than her sister, Anna Sokolik (nee Filipek). Theodore states that his mother's sister died in Rush City, Minnesota, which is where the Sokoliks and Janas were for the 1885 Census. Theodore doesn't say exactly when this was but says it was too soon. It is guessed that her death date was between 1887 and 1890. Terry Nelson has searched for both death certificates but has not yet found either yet. Mothers' Brother After the death of Katerina, John and Theodore moved to Chicago to be cared for by James and Katherine Filipek. James was Anna and Katerina's brother. It is believed James and Katherine arrived from Bohemia in May 1889. Thus it is likely that the Sokolik boys joined them in Chicago shortly thereafter, either in 1889, 1890 or 1891. In 1889, John would have been 13 and Theodore 10. Clarifying the date of death for Katerina Jana and the arrival date for the Filipeks may help clarify this hypothesis. Theodore's Old Brother Theodore's older brothers were John and Frantisek (Frank). Frank is the brother Theodore never saw again. Frank was born on December 30, 1873 in Kolence. Brother John, known as JK, joined Theodore in Chicago with the James Filipek family about 1889 or 1890. It is understood that years later JK Sokolik hired others to try to find his father and brother, but never found them. Dave Jordan February 2001

Theodore Sokolik wrote the above story on November 23, 1955. It is a great story and contains many interesting insights into the history of our collective family. It also has presented an interesting challenge to figure out who was who and how they connected to us. Brackets [ ] within the story have been added to insert current interpretations of names and dates Theodore was referring to. Within the story, various gramMarch and spelling corrections have been made to improve readability.

Year and Place of Birth
It is still unclear exactly where and when Theodore was born. His story says it was New Prague Minnesota, but there is significant conflicting data. His family believes his birthday was January 10 and the year was originally thought to be 1880. The 1880 Census taken in Montgomery on June 10, 1880 shows Theodore to be one year old, suggesting he was born in 1878 or 1879. The 1885 Census taken in Rush City on May 1, 1885 indicates Theodore was 6 years old and born in Bohemia. This again suggests an 1878 or 1879 year of birth and places that birth in Bohemia. Given that his parents provided the data for these two early censuses, one would assume that an 1878 or 1879 year of birth in Bohemia is probably accurate.

The 1900 Census taken on June 7, 1900 indicates Theodore was born in June 1878 in Bohemia and that he was 21 years old at the time. If the June information is correct, then as long as Theodore was born in late June 1878 then this data is consistent with the ages provided in the previous censuses. It is unknown if Theodore or the Filipeks provided the data for the 1900 Census.

The 1910 Census taken on April 23, 1910 indicates Theodore was 31 years old which is consistent with the 1900 Cenus but for the first time the place is changed to Minnesota. The 1920 Census taken on January 17, 1910 indicates Theodore was 38 years old and born in Minnesota. On this census, I believe that the age was to be listed as of January 1, 1920, so an age of 38 suggests a year of birth of 1881.

Another early piece of data is the Ship Index Record for the Lessing for May 7, 1879 which names all the Sokolik family members, Franz and Anna, and sons Franz, Johann, and an unnamed party indicated by a question mark. The unnamed party was 1/4 years old. It is possible this was Theodore. At some point the full record will be obtained. Probably the unnamed party was named; it's just that the person doing the indexing couldn't read the handwriting.

In a search of birth records for Kolence, the birth records for Theodore's brothers Frantisek and Jan were found, but Theodore's could not be located. Possibly they are there and were just missed, or it is possible he was born elsewhere.

As a working hypothesis, it is suggested that Theodore was born January 10, 1879 in Bohemia, possibly Kolence and not in New Prague, Minnesota as indicated in his story. This is based on the early census data, which was filled out by his parents, and also on the ship index record. Further information from a baptismal record or the actual ship arrival record may clarify the exact date of birth and location.

Theodore's Mother
Theodore was the son of Frank and Anna Sokolik and Anna's maiden name was Filipek. Based on records from Bohemia, Anna was born January 17, 1853 in Kolence. Assuming she died when he was seven, the year would have been about 1886 and she would have been about 33 years old when she died. Theodore's father, Frantisek was born November 29, 1832 and was 20 years older than Anna.

Mother's Sister
After his mother's death, Theodore stayed with his mother's sister. This would be Katerina Jana. Katerina was another daughter of Anton Filipek. It is believed both the Sokolik and Jana families immigrated to Minnesota during the late 1870s, possibly at the same time. Katerina Jana (nee Filipek) was born July 15, 1858 and was five years younger than her sister, Anna Sokolik (nee Filipek).

Theodore states that his mother's sister died in Rush City, Minnesota, which is where the Sokoliks and Janas were for the 1885 Census. Theodore doesn't say exactly when this was but says it was too soon. It is guessed that her death date was between 1887 and 1890. Terry Nelson has searched for both death certificates but has not yet found either yet.

Mothers' Brother
After the death of Katerina, John and Theodore moved to Chicago to be cared for by James and Katherine Filipek. James was Anna and Katerina's brother. It is believed James and Katherine arrived from Bohemia in May 1889. Thus it is likely that the Sokolik boys joined them in Chicago shortly thereafter, either in 1889, 1890 or 1891. In 1889, John would have been 13 and Theodore 10. Clarifying the date of death for Katerina Jana and the arrival date for the Filipeks may help clarify this hypothesis.

Theodore's Old Brother
Theodore's older brothers were John and Frantisek (Frank). Frank is the brother Theodore never saw again. Frank was born on December 30, 1873 in Kolence. Brother John, known as JK, joined Theodore in Chicago with the James Filipek family about 1889 or 1890. It is understood that years later JK Sokolik hired others to try to find his father and brother, but never found them.

Dave Jordan
February 2001