FOLK, THEODORE AND ANNA (RUZEK)

by The Folk Family

Entry F144 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Anna and Theodore Folk - July 1950

Theodore Folk was born April 30, 1879 in
Czechoalocakia. His parents brought him to
America when he was three years old. He
grew up in the Kansas-Oklahoma area. He
served his country in the Spanish-American
War as one of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough
Riders. Anna Ruzek was born May 3, 1883 in
Czechoslovakia. Her parents emigrated to
America in 1892. They lived in Kansas for a
time and then took part in the "Oklahoma
Run" on September 16, 1892. They built a
home on the land known ad the Cherokee
Strip. Theodore and Anna were married July
29, 1900. they had a general store in Burton,
Oklahoma. A fire destroyed the home and
store which left them homeless. They moved
to Tabor, South Dakota and operated a hotel
there.

That part of Nebraska, which later became
known as the Sandhills, was called "Open
Country" and could be sued by anyone. In the
early 1900's the 6th district congressman
from Nebraska was Moses P. Kinkaid. He
introduced a bill in Congress to allow any
U.S. citizen to file homestead papers on 640
acres of land in this area instead of the 160
acres.

Theodore and Anna Folk had a dream of
owning their own land. When this opportuni-
ty was available, Theodore and two bachelor
friends, Tom and Frank Tomshak, decided to
take advantage of it. They loaded their
belongings in wagons and drove from Tabor
to Valentine, Nebraska, the county seat of
Cherry County, fall of 1906. they stopped to
file on their homesteads and buy tin to roof
a sod house, some windows and other
supplies. They arrived on the homestead with
exactly 37 cents to their name.

Busy times were ahead, putting down a
well for water, building a sod house and
preparing for the winter. By now, there were
three children, ages 5, 4, and 2 with another
on the way. Determination, courage and
ingenuity were required. Theodore devel-
oped skills as a carpenter. A second larger sod
house was built the following year and a year
later, the family moved to a new modest
frame house. Theodore built many homes
and barns in the area. Neighbors gathered to
build a house for Joe Herncall's near Hecla,
putting theodore in charge. The nearest
postoffice was 5 miles away at Hire, Nebras-
ka. 16 miles south was a thriving little town
of Hecla on the Burlington Railroad with a
general store. 27 miles southeast was the town
of Mullen, bustling and prosperous. The
Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward ca-
talogues were an important part of life,
anything needed could be ordered. Seed
catalogues, also were of great value. Enter-
tainment was provided by community gath-
erings, picnics, ball games, box socials and
dances. The fuel was cow chips, which
provided some heat and many ashes.

Theodore was interested in providing an
education for his children and led out in
organizing local schools. The children often
went to school from 1 1/2 to 5 miles from home.
In 1923 they moved to Mullen to furnish high
school education for the children. Seven of
the nine children are graduates of Mullen
High School.

The so-called kinkaids were rapidly being
sold, mostly to people with more land. Many
moved away, neglecting to pay taxes and
forfeited their land to tax foreclosure. The
Kinkaiders had left their mark and deserve
admiration for accomplishing what they did
under adverse conditions. The Folk home-
stead was operated by various renters includ-
ing the eldest son, Lewis and daughter
Thelma and husband, Jack Gross. Phipps
Cattle Co. bought the land in the early 50's.

Anna managed the home, encouraged the
children, helped with the grandchildren and
faithfully encouraged her husband. They
were members of the Methodist Church, the
Eastern Star, and masonic Lodge. Theodore
served on the Mullen High School board.
They bought the Jim Burr house and remod-
eled it. (The house is now owned by Bob
Mandeville). They lived the remainder of
their lives here.

Theodore bought the Farmer's Co-opera-
tive Elevator and it continues to date, as
Farmer's Elevator Co. Son Lewis, took over
the business after Theodore's death, after
Lewis died the grandsons Lewis Don, and Jim
folk are continuing the business. In the late
30's, while on a trip to Oklahoma, Theodore
learned of Hydro-gas and how it could be
supplied in underground tanks. He decided
to bring this service to this area, bringing
modern conveniences to ranch homes and to
town as well.

Theodore died September 5, 1955 and is
buried in Cedarview Cemetery. Anna lived
until June 25, 1966 and is buried beside her
husband. Survivers were 9 children, sons-in
law and daughters-in-law and 30 grandchild-
ren.

Sons:
Lewis-wife Velma Keller, died 1934 - wife
Inez Carpenter, Mullen Lewis deceased July
28, 1972.
Ted-wife Bernice Miller, Sun City, Ari-
zona. Ted deceased January 9, '73.
Charles-wife Pauline Wright, died 1972 -
wife Opal Garner, Cody, Nebraska.
Leonard-wife Jessie Gentry, died 1953 -
wife Susan Scott, Sumter, S. Car.

Daughters:
Helen-husband Robert Mills, died Nov. 19,
'79 Gresham, Or.
Thelma-husband William Gross, Wilder,
Idaho
Irene-husband Eugene Lake, Hebron,
Nebraska
Mildred-husband B.B. Wright, Lincoln,
Nebraska
Ethel-husband G.L. Patterson, Palo Ce-
dro, California

Theodore and Anna's confidence in the
Sandhills and it's success never wavered.