Here are my note for Catherine, from her entry in my family tree file- Rick Waggener:
From the 1900 Federal Census of Hammond City, North Township, Lake County, Indiana, district 36, sheet 20A, taken June 16, 1900, household 271; from ancestry.com, image 39 of 71. Catherine is listed in the household of her parents:
------ Catherine M.; daughter, female, born- February 1887, age- 13, born- Indiana, parents born- Canada, at school, r/w's
It is clear from other records that Catherine must have been born in North Dakota. Her parents didn't move to Indiana until 1896-1898.
===============
From Ancestry.com. Indiana Marriage Records Index, 1845-1920. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original Data: Works Progress Administration. Index to Marriage Records Indiana: Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.:
Name: Dora C. MacLood
Spouse Name: Thomas Croak
Marriage Date: 20 Mar 1906
Marriage County: Lake
Source Title 1: Lake County, Indiana
Source Title 2: Index to Marriage Record 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vol
Source Title 3: W. P. A. Original Record Located: County Clerk's O
Book: L
OS Page: 342
===============
From Robert Croak ([email protected]):
My sister Judy has Dora's marriage certificate hanging on the wall in her home.
It says Thomas Croak of Sparta, Illinois married Dora Catherine MacLeod of Hammond, Indiana
20 March 1906 signed by, N.E. Sinninger
Pastor Congregational Church.
===============
Also from Bob Croak:
I came upon some more information regarding my Grandmother Dora C. Croak in some papers I was going through.
Thomas J.Croak married Dora MacLeod, 20 March 1906, marriage Record Book L. Page 342,..Hammond, Indiana, Lake County.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from Dora Croak, Hammond, Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 5932 16 December 1910.
Thomas Married Edna 16 January 1911.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from a Edna Croak, Hammond Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 19695, 6 May 1921.
Thomas Married Gertrude June 1925.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from Gertrude Croak, Hammond, Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 40607 1 February 1931.
Thomas J. Croak remarried Dora Croak on 15 December 1953. The 2 witness were Floyd and Salle Barr. I don't know who they were. They married in Phoenix Arizona.
===============
From the 1910 Federal Census of Bruce Township, LaSalle County, Illinois, district 76, sheet 9a, taken May 5, 1910, household 178; from ancestry.com, image 17 of 17:
Dora is listed apparently in the home of a John Newell and family, listed as a dairy farmer.
Croak, Dora M.; head of household, female, age- 23, married (1st) 4 years, mother of 3 children/ 2 children living, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- hired girl/ private family, r/w's
----- Angus P.; son, male, age- 2, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
----- Thomas R.; son, male, age- 10/12, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
(I was unable to locate Dora's husband Thomas in this census.-RW)
===============
From the 1915 Census of North Dakota; Sergius, Bottineau County, household 19; from ancestry.com, image 2 of 5. Dora and children are listed in the household of her uncle:
Tuskie, Simon; male 20 to 40 years
Gran, John; male 20 to 40 years
Dutch, John; male 20 to 40 years
Croak, Angus; male child under 5 years
Croak, Robert; male 5 to 20 years
Croak, Dora; female 20 to 40 years
Croak, Margaret; female child under 5 years
Simon was the brother of Dora's mother, Mary Ann Schefkowski. According to Bill Beckman, Simon apparently changed his name when he came to the U.S. from Canada.
===============
From the 1920 Federal Census of Sergius Township, Bottineau County, North Dakota, district 55, sheet 1b, taken January 19-21, 1920, household 17; from ancestry.com, image 2 of 6:
Tuskie, Simon; head of household, owns home with mortgage, male, age- 46, single, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, Naturalized citizen in 1905, r/w's, born- Canada, parents born- Germany, occupation- farmer/ general farming
Croak, Dora; niece, female, age- 32, widowed, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- servant/ private family
----- Angus B.; grand nephew, male, age- 12, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
----- Robert T.; grand nephew, male, age- 10, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
------ Margaret V.; grand niece, age- 8, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
===============
From the 1925 Census of North Dakota; Sergius, Bottineau County, household 36; from ancestry.com, image 4 of 6. Dora is again listed with two of her children in the household of her uncle:
Tuskie, Simon; age- 52
Croak, Dora C.; age- 38
Croak, Robert; age- 15
Croak, Marger; age- 14
===============
From the 1930 Federal Census of Sergius Township, Bottineau County, North Dakota, district 1, sheet 2a, taken April 30, 1930, household 31; from ancestry.com, image 3 of 6:
Tuskie, Simon; head of household, rents home, male, age- 57, single, r/w's, born- Canada, parents born- Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, naturalized citizen, occupation- farmer/ general, employer, currently employed, not a veteran
Croak, Dora; niece, female, age- 43, married, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- housekeeper/ farm, wage worker, currently employed
------ Margaret; niece, female, age- 19, single, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota, occupation- none
===============
From Bill Beckman ([email protected]):
'Dora' is Catherine. I don't know how she got Dora as a nickname. Dora and Tom split, remarried and split again. He had a plumbing business in Hammond, IN., When my adoptive dad, Bill Beckman, was paralyzed in bed with a stroke and my mom, Jess, was incapacitated with liver cancer, Dora came into our home to take care of them. Mom died in my junior year, Dad in my senior. When I graduated, the apartment was split up and I moved into the YMCA. Dora moved in with her daughter in south Chicago.
The community in ND is/was Westhope. Simon had a farm just east of town. Some of the older residents remember Simon. Bob Croak, who I just found in Alabama, is part of the family that still has ties in Westhope. I'm still in the dark as to why Simon ended up in Westhope and Angus in Thompson. The only thing I can figure is perhaps Angus had a job offer in Thompson.
===========
From Robert Croak ([email protected]):
Just a note to say one or two more things about my Grandmother, Dora Croak. She got the name "Suit Case Annie" because when she traveled around she always was going with two shopping bags coming or going to visit. I remember seeing her several times waiting for a bus standing on a corner in Hammond or Calumet City. She was a wonderful Grandma and dearly loved by all us kids. My Father and Mother were strict disciplarians and when Grandma came we were under her wing.
I remember one time I was caught doing something very bad and my Father caught me on his way home from work and told me to get home fast. When I arrived I hit the big time in getting a trouncing!! The only thing I can say was Dora was there hanging on my Father's arm trying to save me from certain permanent disabilities!!
Another time back in the early 50's television was introduced and my Mom and Dad just didn't have the funds to buy one. Grandma Croak one day came to visit and a T.V. man was with her. It was a 12 inch Raythehon T.V. The day I shall never forget was the first T.V. broadcast of the Lone Ranger at 6:30 p.m. As a kid I was always glued to a radio and to all the great radio programs and visualizations a young boy had my imagination. Needless to say my Dad being a very very proud man was not a Happy Camper so to speak as I remembered. The T.V. did stay though.
Grandma Croak always liked Wrestling from Rainbow Arena in Chicago in those days. When she came to visit we always sat and watched wrestling on Saturday night. Back in the early days of T.V. there was only a couple channels and they didn't turn on sometimes to around 4 p.m. The Friday Night Fights by Gillett was the other big thing my Dad enjoyed watching. You always didn't have the big selection on programming you have today. Grandma would sit in the rocker watching Wrestling and the rest of us would all hoping she would fall asleep early so we could turn the channel to watch anything beside wrestling. She would go to sleep and we would go to turn the channel , She would wake up and say--"I was watching that"....
Grandma Dora Croak was also know to be one of the Home baked Finest bread and Roll makers anywhere. I remember many many times Dora baking bread and rolls. We kids use to stand in line waiting for a piece of fresh bread dough. My Mom tried often but never duplicated the touch Dora had for baking bread and rolls even with Dora standing right beside her. Her breads would raise way up out of the bread pans before baking and nobody could wait for a piece of fresh, hot baked bread and butter. My Mom was always known for Her pies and cookies.
When we were living our summers in North Dakota, our house was the one in Calumet City and was always where everyone seemed to be for whatever. We cooked on an old wood stove which now resides in my brother Mike's place in Missouri. I want you to know I chopped wood and used a buck saw on many occasions for that stove. It always seemed to me when Dora was baking my pile of wood went quickly. Many of the wonderful people/friends in North Dakota were always looking for some of Dora's baking feats. During the threshing times we had a big old table Mom and Dora found at some auction that sat in the North Dakota living room. We always had it full on Saturday and Sundays. George Wright use to come calling one summer to court Grandma I guess--- what a wonderful man he was. You know as five small children we always had the big St. Denis eyes and the Croak ears!!! I don't ever remember ever ever having a bad day when living in North Dakota. Water had to be hauled from the barn and wood to be chopped before I was allowed to go to the field, The smell of Kerosene lamps, slop jar to emptied every morning. Playing in the old barn or out buildings and the pets we kids had. Ah! life was much more simpler back then. The summer my Mom, Dora and us five kids spent in North Dakota alone will be one I shall always remember. My wife Norma today says my mind is always stays in North Dakota!!
==========
Also from Bob Croak:
Sometime after Thomas married Dora C. MacLeod the second time, she came down with breast cancer and had one breast removed. They were living in Arizona at that time and Thomas soon sent her packing back to their son Robert, My Father. Dora then lived with us and Dad and Mom took very good care of his Mother. I was only 13 or 14 years old at that time and don't remember when Grandma Croak came to live with us. Dora Croak always had, as long as I can remember, beautiful silver gray hair always done up nicely. She also had a good sense of humor and was always very good to us kids.
Dora Croak was admitted to Oak Forest Hospital, Oak Forest, Cook County, Illinois, 25 April 1960 until the day Dora passed away, 20 July 1962. The Medical Certificate, cause was Arteriescleretic Heart Disease.
==========
Dora is buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana. The address of the cemtery is: 6445 Hohman Ave, Hammond, Lake County, Indiana 46324-1078
Phone: 219-932-0206. Her headstone reads:
Mother
Dora C. Croak
1887- 1962
(Dora is reportedly buried next to her father Angus N. Macleod and near to her oldest son Angus P. Croak.- RW)
=============
From Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015:
Name: Dora C Croak
Birth Date: 25 Feb 1887
Claim Date: 20 Jul 1955
Type of Claim: Life Claim
From the 1900 Federal Census of Hammond City, North Township, Lake County, Indiana, district 36, sheet 20A, taken June 16, 1900, household 271; from ancestry.com, image 39 of 71. Catherine is listed in the household of her parents:
------ Catherine M.; daughter, female, born- February 1887, age- 13, born- Indiana, parents born- Canada, at school, r/w's
It is clear from other records that Catherine must have been born in North Dakota. Her parents didn't move to Indiana until 1896-1898.
===============
From Ancestry.com. Indiana Marriage Records Index, 1845-1920. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original Data: Works Progress Administration. Index to Marriage Records Indiana: Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.:
Name: Dora C. MacLood
Spouse Name: Thomas Croak
Marriage Date: 20 Mar 1906
Marriage County: Lake
Source Title 1: Lake County, Indiana
Source Title 2: Index to Marriage Record 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vol
Source Title 3: W. P. A. Original Record Located: County Clerk's O
Book: L
OS Page: 342
===============
From Robert Croak ([email protected]):
My sister Judy has Dora's marriage certificate hanging on the wall in her home.
It says Thomas Croak of Sparta, Illinois married Dora Catherine MacLeod of Hammond, Indiana
20 March 1906 signed by, N.E. Sinninger
Pastor Congregational Church.
===============
Also from Bob Croak:
I came upon some more information regarding my Grandmother Dora C. Croak in some papers I was going through.
Thomas J.Croak married Dora MacLeod, 20 March 1906, marriage Record Book L. Page 342,..Hammond, Indiana, Lake County.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from Dora Croak, Hammond, Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 5932 16 December 1910.
Thomas Married Edna 16 January 1911.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from a Edna Croak, Hammond Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 19695, 6 May 1921.
Thomas Married Gertrude June 1925.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from Gertrude Croak, Hammond, Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 40607 1 February 1931.
Thomas J. Croak remarried Dora Croak on 15 December 1953. The 2 witness were Floyd and Salle Barr. I don't know who they were. They married in Phoenix Arizona.
===============
From the 1910 Federal Census of Bruce Township, LaSalle County, Illinois, district 76, sheet 9a, taken May 5, 1910, household 178; from ancestry.com, image 17 of 17:
Dora is listed apparently in the home of a John Newell and family, listed as a dairy farmer.
Croak, Dora M.; head of household, female, age- 23, married (1st) 4 years, mother of 3 children/ 2 children living, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- hired girl/ private family, r/w's
----- Angus P.; son, male, age- 2, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
----- Thomas R.; son, male, age- 10/12, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
(I was unable to locate Dora's husband Thomas in this census.-RW)
===============
From the 1915 Census of North Dakota; Sergius, Bottineau County, household 19; from ancestry.com, image 2 of 5. Dora and children are listed in the household of her uncle:
Tuskie, Simon; male 20 to 40 years
Gran, John; male 20 to 40 years
Dutch, John; male 20 to 40 years
Croak, Angus; male child under 5 years
Croak, Robert; male 5 to 20 years
Croak, Dora; female 20 to 40 years
Croak, Margaret; female child under 5 years
Simon was the brother of Dora's mother, Mary Ann Schefkowski. According to Bill Beckman, Simon apparently changed his name when he came to the U.S. from Canada.
===============
From the 1920 Federal Census of Sergius Township, Bottineau County, North Dakota, district 55, sheet 1b, taken January 19-21, 1920, household 17; from ancestry.com, image 2 of 6:
Tuskie, Simon; head of household, owns home with mortgage, male, age- 46, single, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, Naturalized citizen in 1905, r/w's, born- Canada, parents born- Germany, occupation- farmer/ general farming
Croak, Dora; niece, female, age- 32, widowed, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- servant/ private family
----- Angus B.; grand nephew, male, age- 12, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
----- Robert T.; grand nephew, male, age- 10, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
------ Margaret V.; grand niece, age- 8, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
===============
From the 1925 Census of North Dakota; Sergius, Bottineau County, household 36; from ancestry.com, image 4 of 6. Dora is again listed with two of her children in the household of her uncle:
Tuskie, Simon; age- 52
Croak, Dora C.; age- 38
Croak, Robert; age- 15
Croak, Marger; age- 14
===============
From the 1930 Federal Census of Sergius Township, Bottineau County, North Dakota, district 1, sheet 2a, taken April 30, 1930, household 31; from ancestry.com, image 3 of 6:
Tuskie, Simon; head of household, rents home, male, age- 57, single, r/w's, born- Canada, parents born- Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, naturalized citizen, occupation- farmer/ general, employer, currently employed, not a veteran
Croak, Dora; niece, female, age- 43, married, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- housekeeper/ farm, wage worker, currently employed
------ Margaret; niece, female, age- 19, single, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota, occupation- none
===============
From Bill Beckman ([email protected]):
'Dora' is Catherine. I don't know how she got Dora as a nickname. Dora and Tom split, remarried and split again. He had a plumbing business in Hammond, IN., When my adoptive dad, Bill Beckman, was paralyzed in bed with a stroke and my mom, Jess, was incapacitated with liver cancer, Dora came into our home to take care of them. Mom died in my junior year, Dad in my senior. When I graduated, the apartment was split up and I moved into the YMCA. Dora moved in with her daughter in south Chicago.
The community in ND is/was Westhope. Simon had a farm just east of town. Some of the older residents remember Simon. Bob Croak, who I just found in Alabama, is part of the family that still has ties in Westhope. I'm still in the dark as to why Simon ended up in Westhope and Angus in Thompson. The only thing I can figure is perhaps Angus had a job offer in Thompson.
===========
From Robert Croak ([email protected]):
Just a note to say one or two more things about my Grandmother, Dora Croak. She got the name "Suit Case Annie" because when she traveled around she always was going with two shopping bags coming or going to visit. I remember seeing her several times waiting for a bus standing on a corner in Hammond or Calumet City. She was a wonderful Grandma and dearly loved by all us kids. My Father and Mother were strict disciplarians and when Grandma came we were under her wing.
I remember one time I was caught doing something very bad and my Father caught me on his way home from work and told me to get home fast. When I arrived I hit the big time in getting a trouncing!! The only thing I can say was Dora was there hanging on my Father's arm trying to save me from certain permanent disabilities!!
Another time back in the early 50's television was introduced and my Mom and Dad just didn't have the funds to buy one. Grandma Croak one day came to visit and a T.V. man was with her. It was a 12 inch Raythehon T.V. The day I shall never forget was the first T.V. broadcast of the Lone Ranger at 6:30 p.m. As a kid I was always glued to a radio and to all the great radio programs and visualizations a young boy had my imagination. Needless to say my Dad being a very very proud man was not a Happy Camper so to speak as I remembered. The T.V. did stay though.
Grandma Croak always liked Wrestling from Rainbow Arena in Chicago in those days. When she came to visit we always sat and watched wrestling on Saturday night. Back in the early days of T.V. there was only a couple channels and they didn't turn on sometimes to around 4 p.m. The Friday Night Fights by Gillett was the other big thing my Dad enjoyed watching. You always didn't have the big selection on programming you have today. Grandma would sit in the rocker watching Wrestling and the rest of us would all hoping she would fall asleep early so we could turn the channel to watch anything beside wrestling. She would go to sleep and we would go to turn the channel , She would wake up and say--"I was watching that"....
Grandma Dora Croak was also know to be one of the Home baked Finest bread and Roll makers anywhere. I remember many many times Dora baking bread and rolls. We kids use to stand in line waiting for a piece of fresh bread dough. My Mom tried often but never duplicated the touch Dora had for baking bread and rolls even with Dora standing right beside her. Her breads would raise way up out of the bread pans before baking and nobody could wait for a piece of fresh, hot baked bread and butter. My Mom was always known for Her pies and cookies.
When we were living our summers in North Dakota, our house was the one in Calumet City and was always where everyone seemed to be for whatever. We cooked on an old wood stove which now resides in my brother Mike's place in Missouri. I want you to know I chopped wood and used a buck saw on many occasions for that stove. It always seemed to me when Dora was baking my pile of wood went quickly. Many of the wonderful people/friends in North Dakota were always looking for some of Dora's baking feats. During the threshing times we had a big old table Mom and Dora found at some auction that sat in the North Dakota living room. We always had it full on Saturday and Sundays. George Wright use to come calling one summer to court Grandma I guess--- what a wonderful man he was. You know as five small children we always had the big St. Denis eyes and the Croak ears!!! I don't ever remember ever ever having a bad day when living in North Dakota. Water had to be hauled from the barn and wood to be chopped before I was allowed to go to the field, The smell of Kerosene lamps, slop jar to emptied every morning. Playing in the old barn or out buildings and the pets we kids had. Ah! life was much more simpler back then. The summer my Mom, Dora and us five kids spent in North Dakota alone will be one I shall always remember. My wife Norma today says my mind is always stays in North Dakota!!
==========
Also from Bob Croak:
Sometime after Thomas married Dora C. MacLeod the second time, she came down with breast cancer and had one breast removed. They were living in Arizona at that time and Thomas soon sent her packing back to their son Robert, My Father. Dora then lived with us and Dad and Mom took very good care of his Mother. I was only 13 or 14 years old at that time and don't remember when Grandma Croak came to live with us. Dora Croak always had, as long as I can remember, beautiful silver gray hair always done up nicely. She also had a good sense of humor and was always very good to us kids.
Dora Croak was admitted to Oak Forest Hospital, Oak Forest, Cook County, Illinois, 25 April 1960 until the day Dora passed away, 20 July 1962. The Medical Certificate, cause was Arteriescleretic Heart Disease.
==========
Dora is buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana. The address of the cemtery is: 6445 Hohman Ave, Hammond, Lake County, Indiana 46324-1078
Phone: 219-932-0206. Her headstone reads:
Mother
Dora C. Croak
1887- 1962
(Dora is reportedly buried next to her father Angus N. Macleod and near to her oldest son Angus P. Croak.- RW)
=============
From Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015:
Name: Dora C Croak
Birth Date: 25 Feb 1887
Claim Date: 20 Jul 1955
Type of Claim: Life Claim
Here are my note for Catherine, from her entry in my family tree file- Rick Waggener:
From the 1900 Federal Census of Hammond City, North Township, Lake County, Indiana, district 36, sheet 20A, taken June 16, 1900, household 271; from ancestry.com, image 39 of 71. Catherine is listed in the household of her parents:
------ Catherine M.; daughter, female, born- February 1887, age- 13, born- Indiana, parents born- Canada, at school, r/w's
It is clear from other records that Catherine must have been born in North Dakota. Her parents didn't move to Indiana until 1896-1898.
===============
From Ancestry.com. Indiana Marriage Records Index, 1845-1920. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original Data: Works Progress Administration. Index to Marriage Records Indiana: Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.:
Name: Dora C. MacLood
Spouse Name: Thomas Croak
Marriage Date: 20 Mar 1906
Marriage County: Lake
Source Title 1: Lake County, Indiana
Source Title 2: Index to Marriage Record 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vol
Source Title 3: W. P. A. Original Record Located: County Clerk's O
Book: L
OS Page: 342
===============
From Robert Croak ([email protected]):
My sister Judy has Dora's marriage certificate hanging on the wall in her home.
It says Thomas Croak of Sparta, Illinois married Dora Catherine MacLeod of Hammond, Indiana
20 March 1906 signed by, N.E. Sinninger
Pastor Congregational Church.
===============
Also from Bob Croak:
I came upon some more information regarding my Grandmother Dora C. Croak in some papers I was going through.
Thomas J.Croak married Dora MacLeod, 20 March 1906, marriage Record Book L. Page 342,..Hammond, Indiana, Lake County.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from Dora Croak, Hammond, Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 5932 16 December 1910.
Thomas Married Edna 16 January 1911.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from a Edna Croak, Hammond Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 19695, 6 May 1921.
Thomas Married Gertrude June 1925.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from Gertrude Croak, Hammond, Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 40607 1 February 1931.
Thomas J. Croak remarried Dora Croak on 15 December 1953. The 2 witness were Floyd and Salle Barr. I don't know who they were. They married in Phoenix Arizona.
===============
From the 1910 Federal Census of Bruce Township, LaSalle County, Illinois, district 76, sheet 9a, taken May 5, 1910, household 178; from ancestry.com, image 17 of 17:
Dora is listed apparently in the home of a John Newell and family, listed as a dairy farmer.
Croak, Dora M.; head of household, female, age- 23, married (1st) 4 years, mother of 3 children/ 2 children living, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- hired girl/ private family, r/w's
----- Angus P.; son, male, age- 2, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
----- Thomas R.; son, male, age- 10/12, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
(I was unable to locate Dora's husband Thomas in this census.-RW)
===============
From the 1915 Census of North Dakota; Sergius, Bottineau County, household 19; from ancestry.com, image 2 of 5. Dora and children are listed in the household of her uncle:
Tuskie, Simon; male 20 to 40 years
Gran, John; male 20 to 40 years
Dutch, John; male 20 to 40 years
Croak, Angus; male child under 5 years
Croak, Robert; male 5 to 20 years
Croak, Dora; female 20 to 40 years
Croak, Margaret; female child under 5 years
Simon was the brother of Dora's mother, Mary Ann Schefkowski. According to Bill Beckman, Simon apparently changed his name when he came to the U.S. from Canada.
===============
From the 1920 Federal Census of Sergius Township, Bottineau County, North Dakota, district 55, sheet 1b, taken January 19-21, 1920, household 17; from ancestry.com, image 2 of 6:
Tuskie, Simon; head of household, owns home with mortgage, male, age- 46, single, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, Naturalized citizen in 1905, r/w's, born- Canada, parents born- Germany, occupation- farmer/ general farming
Croak, Dora; niece, female, age- 32, widowed, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- servant/ private family
----- Angus B.; grand nephew, male, age- 12, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
----- Robert T.; grand nephew, male, age- 10, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
------ Margaret V.; grand niece, age- 8, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
===============
From the 1925 Census of North Dakota; Sergius, Bottineau County, household 36; from ancestry.com, image 4 of 6. Dora is again listed with two of her children in the household of her uncle:
Tuskie, Simon; age- 52
Croak, Dora C.; age- 38
Croak, Robert; age- 15
Croak, Marger; age- 14
===============
From the 1930 Federal Census of Sergius Township, Bottineau County, North Dakota, district 1, sheet 2a, taken April 30, 1930, household 31; from ancestry.com, image 3 of 6:
Tuskie, Simon; head of household, rents home, male, age- 57, single, r/w's, born- Canada, parents born- Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, naturalized citizen, occupation- farmer/ general, employer, currently employed, not a veteran
Croak, Dora; niece, female, age- 43, married, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- housekeeper/ farm, wage worker, currently employed
------ Margaret; niece, female, age- 19, single, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota, occupation- none
===============
From Bill Beckman ([email protected]):
'Dora' is Catherine. I don't know how she got Dora as a nickname. Dora and Tom split, remarried and split again. He had a plumbing business in Hammond, IN., When my adoptive dad, Bill Beckman, was paralyzed in bed with a stroke and my mom, Jess, was incapacitated with liver cancer, Dora came into our home to take care of them. Mom died in my junior year, Dad in my senior. When I graduated, the apartment was split up and I moved into the YMCA. Dora moved in with her daughter in south Chicago.
The community in ND is/was Westhope. Simon had a farm just east of town. Some of the older residents remember Simon. Bob Croak, who I just found in Alabama, is part of the family that still has ties in Westhope. I'm still in the dark as to why Simon ended up in Westhope and Angus in Thompson. The only thing I can figure is perhaps Angus had a job offer in Thompson.
===========
From Robert Croak ([email protected]):
Just a note to say one or two more things about my Grandmother, Dora Croak. She got the name "Suit Case Annie" because when she traveled around she always was going with two shopping bags coming or going to visit. I remember seeing her several times waiting for a bus standing on a corner in Hammond or Calumet City. She was a wonderful Grandma and dearly loved by all us kids. My Father and Mother were strict disciplarians and when Grandma came we were under her wing.
I remember one time I was caught doing something very bad and my Father caught me on his way home from work and told me to get home fast. When I arrived I hit the big time in getting a trouncing!! The only thing I can say was Dora was there hanging on my Father's arm trying to save me from certain permanent disabilities!!
Another time back in the early 50's television was introduced and my Mom and Dad just didn't have the funds to buy one. Grandma Croak one day came to visit and a T.V. man was with her. It was a 12 inch Raythehon T.V. The day I shall never forget was the first T.V. broadcast of the Lone Ranger at 6:30 p.m. As a kid I was always glued to a radio and to all the great radio programs and visualizations a young boy had my imagination. Needless to say my Dad being a very very proud man was not a Happy Camper so to speak as I remembered. The T.V. did stay though.
Grandma Croak always liked Wrestling from Rainbow Arena in Chicago in those days. When she came to visit we always sat and watched wrestling on Saturday night. Back in the early days of T.V. there was only a couple channels and they didn't turn on sometimes to around 4 p.m. The Friday Night Fights by Gillett was the other big thing my Dad enjoyed watching. You always didn't have the big selection on programming you have today. Grandma would sit in the rocker watching Wrestling and the rest of us would all hoping she would fall asleep early so we could turn the channel to watch anything beside wrestling. She would go to sleep and we would go to turn the channel , She would wake up and say--"I was watching that"....
Grandma Dora Croak was also know to be one of the Home baked Finest bread and Roll makers anywhere. I remember many many times Dora baking bread and rolls. We kids use to stand in line waiting for a piece of fresh bread dough. My Mom tried often but never duplicated the touch Dora had for baking bread and rolls even with Dora standing right beside her. Her breads would raise way up out of the bread pans before baking and nobody could wait for a piece of fresh, hot baked bread and butter. My Mom was always known for Her pies and cookies.
When we were living our summers in North Dakota, our house was the one in Calumet City and was always where everyone seemed to be for whatever. We cooked on an old wood stove which now resides in my brother Mike's place in Missouri. I want you to know I chopped wood and used a buck saw on many occasions for that stove. It always seemed to me when Dora was baking my pile of wood went quickly. Many of the wonderful people/friends in North Dakota were always looking for some of Dora's baking feats. During the threshing times we had a big old table Mom and Dora found at some auction that sat in the North Dakota living room. We always had it full on Saturday and Sundays. George Wright use to come calling one summer to court Grandma I guess--- what a wonderful man he was. You know as five small children we always had the big St. Denis eyes and the Croak ears!!! I don't ever remember ever ever having a bad day when living in North Dakota. Water had to be hauled from the barn and wood to be chopped before I was allowed to go to the field, The smell of Kerosene lamps, slop jar to emptied every morning. Playing in the old barn or out buildings and the pets we kids had. Ah! life was much more simpler back then. The summer my Mom, Dora and us five kids spent in North Dakota alone will be one I shall always remember. My wife Norma today says my mind is always stays in North Dakota!!
==========
Also from Bob Croak:
Sometime after Thomas married Dora C. MacLeod the second time, she came down with breast cancer and had one breast removed. They were living in Arizona at that time and Thomas soon sent her packing back to their son Robert, My Father. Dora then lived with us and Dad and Mom took very good care of his Mother. I was only 13 or 14 years old at that time and don't remember when Grandma Croak came to live with us. Dora Croak always had, as long as I can remember, beautiful silver gray hair always done up nicely. She also had a good sense of humor and was always very good to us kids.
Dora Croak was admitted to Oak Forest Hospital, Oak Forest, Cook County, Illinois, 25 April 1960 until the day Dora passed away, 20 July 1962. The Medical Certificate, cause was Arteriescleretic Heart Disease.
==========
Dora is buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana. The address of the cemtery is: 6445 Hohman Ave, Hammond, Lake County, Indiana 46324-1078
Phone: 219-932-0206. Her headstone reads:
Mother
Dora C. Croak
1887- 1962
(Dora is reportedly buried next to her father Angus N. Macleod and near to her oldest son Angus P. Croak.- RW)
=============
From Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015:
Name: Dora C Croak
Birth Date: 25 Feb 1887
Claim Date: 20 Jul 1955
Type of Claim: Life Claim
From the 1900 Federal Census of Hammond City, North Township, Lake County, Indiana, district 36, sheet 20A, taken June 16, 1900, household 271; from ancestry.com, image 39 of 71. Catherine is listed in the household of her parents:
------ Catherine M.; daughter, female, born- February 1887, age- 13, born- Indiana, parents born- Canada, at school, r/w's
It is clear from other records that Catherine must have been born in North Dakota. Her parents didn't move to Indiana until 1896-1898.
===============
From Ancestry.com. Indiana Marriage Records Index, 1845-1920. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original Data: Works Progress Administration. Index to Marriage Records Indiana: Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.:
Name: Dora C. MacLood
Spouse Name: Thomas Croak
Marriage Date: 20 Mar 1906
Marriage County: Lake
Source Title 1: Lake County, Indiana
Source Title 2: Index to Marriage Record 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vol
Source Title 3: W. P. A. Original Record Located: County Clerk's O
Book: L
OS Page: 342
===============
From Robert Croak ([email protected]):
My sister Judy has Dora's marriage certificate hanging on the wall in her home.
It says Thomas Croak of Sparta, Illinois married Dora Catherine MacLeod of Hammond, Indiana
20 March 1906 signed by, N.E. Sinninger
Pastor Congregational Church.
===============
Also from Bob Croak:
I came upon some more information regarding my Grandmother Dora C. Croak in some papers I was going through.
Thomas J.Croak married Dora MacLeod, 20 March 1906, marriage Record Book L. Page 342,..Hammond, Indiana, Lake County.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from Dora Croak, Hammond, Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 5932 16 December 1910.
Thomas Married Edna 16 January 1911.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from a Edna Croak, Hammond Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 19695, 6 May 1921.
Thomas Married Gertrude June 1925.
Thomas J. Croak was divorced from Gertrude Croak, Hammond, Indiana, Superior Court, Cause 40607 1 February 1931.
Thomas J. Croak remarried Dora Croak on 15 December 1953. The 2 witness were Floyd and Salle Barr. I don't know who they were. They married in Phoenix Arizona.
===============
From the 1910 Federal Census of Bruce Township, LaSalle County, Illinois, district 76, sheet 9a, taken May 5, 1910, household 178; from ancestry.com, image 17 of 17:
Dora is listed apparently in the home of a John Newell and family, listed as a dairy farmer.
Croak, Dora M.; head of household, female, age- 23, married (1st) 4 years, mother of 3 children/ 2 children living, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- hired girl/ private family, r/w's
----- Angus P.; son, male, age- 2, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
----- Thomas R.; son, male, age- 10/12, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
(I was unable to locate Dora's husband Thomas in this census.-RW)
===============
From the 1915 Census of North Dakota; Sergius, Bottineau County, household 19; from ancestry.com, image 2 of 5. Dora and children are listed in the household of her uncle:
Tuskie, Simon; male 20 to 40 years
Gran, John; male 20 to 40 years
Dutch, John; male 20 to 40 years
Croak, Angus; male child under 5 years
Croak, Robert; male 5 to 20 years
Croak, Dora; female 20 to 40 years
Croak, Margaret; female child under 5 years
Simon was the brother of Dora's mother, Mary Ann Schefkowski. According to Bill Beckman, Simon apparently changed his name when he came to the U.S. from Canada.
===============
From the 1920 Federal Census of Sergius Township, Bottineau County, North Dakota, district 55, sheet 1b, taken January 19-21, 1920, household 17; from ancestry.com, image 2 of 6:
Tuskie, Simon; head of household, owns home with mortgage, male, age- 46, single, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, Naturalized citizen in 1905, r/w's, born- Canada, parents born- Germany, occupation- farmer/ general farming
Croak, Dora; niece, female, age- 32, widowed, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- servant/ private family
----- Angus B.; grand nephew, male, age- 12, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
----- Robert T.; grand nephew, male, age- 10, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
------ Margaret V.; grand niece, age- 8, in school, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota
===============
From the 1925 Census of North Dakota; Sergius, Bottineau County, household 36; from ancestry.com, image 4 of 6. Dora is again listed with two of her children in the household of her uncle:
Tuskie, Simon; age- 52
Croak, Dora C.; age- 38
Croak, Robert; age- 15
Croak, Marger; age- 14
===============
From the 1930 Federal Census of Sergius Township, Bottineau County, North Dakota, district 1, sheet 2a, taken April 30, 1930, household 31; from ancestry.com, image 3 of 6:
Tuskie, Simon; head of household, rents home, male, age- 57, single, r/w's, born- Canada, parents born- Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891, naturalized citizen, occupation- farmer/ general, employer, currently employed, not a veteran
Croak, Dora; niece, female, age- 43, married, born- North Dakota, parents born- Canada, occupation- housekeeper/ farm, wage worker, currently employed
------ Margaret; niece, female, age- 19, single, r/w's, born- Indiana, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- North Dakota, occupation- none
===============
From Bill Beckman ([email protected]):
'Dora' is Catherine. I don't know how she got Dora as a nickname. Dora and Tom split, remarried and split again. He had a plumbing business in Hammond, IN., When my adoptive dad, Bill Beckman, was paralyzed in bed with a stroke and my mom, Jess, was incapacitated with liver cancer, Dora came into our home to take care of them. Mom died in my junior year, Dad in my senior. When I graduated, the apartment was split up and I moved into the YMCA. Dora moved in with her daughter in south Chicago.
The community in ND is/was Westhope. Simon had a farm just east of town. Some of the older residents remember Simon. Bob Croak, who I just found in Alabama, is part of the family that still has ties in Westhope. I'm still in the dark as to why Simon ended up in Westhope and Angus in Thompson. The only thing I can figure is perhaps Angus had a job offer in Thompson.
===========
From Robert Croak ([email protected]):
Just a note to say one or two more things about my Grandmother, Dora Croak. She got the name "Suit Case Annie" because when she traveled around she always was going with two shopping bags coming or going to visit. I remember seeing her several times waiting for a bus standing on a corner in Hammond or Calumet City. She was a wonderful Grandma and dearly loved by all us kids. My Father and Mother were strict disciplarians and when Grandma came we were under her wing.
I remember one time I was caught doing something very bad and my Father caught me on his way home from work and told me to get home fast. When I arrived I hit the big time in getting a trouncing!! The only thing I can say was Dora was there hanging on my Father's arm trying to save me from certain permanent disabilities!!
Another time back in the early 50's television was introduced and my Mom and Dad just didn't have the funds to buy one. Grandma Croak one day came to visit and a T.V. man was with her. It was a 12 inch Raythehon T.V. The day I shall never forget was the first T.V. broadcast of the Lone Ranger at 6:30 p.m. As a kid I was always glued to a radio and to all the great radio programs and visualizations a young boy had my imagination. Needless to say my Dad being a very very proud man was not a Happy Camper so to speak as I remembered. The T.V. did stay though.
Grandma Croak always liked Wrestling from Rainbow Arena in Chicago in those days. When she came to visit we always sat and watched wrestling on Saturday night. Back in the early days of T.V. there was only a couple channels and they didn't turn on sometimes to around 4 p.m. The Friday Night Fights by Gillett was the other big thing my Dad enjoyed watching. You always didn't have the big selection on programming you have today. Grandma would sit in the rocker watching Wrestling and the rest of us would all hoping she would fall asleep early so we could turn the channel to watch anything beside wrestling. She would go to sleep and we would go to turn the channel , She would wake up and say--"I was watching that"....
Grandma Dora Croak was also know to be one of the Home baked Finest bread and Roll makers anywhere. I remember many many times Dora baking bread and rolls. We kids use to stand in line waiting for a piece of fresh bread dough. My Mom tried often but never duplicated the touch Dora had for baking bread and rolls even with Dora standing right beside her. Her breads would raise way up out of the bread pans before baking and nobody could wait for a piece of fresh, hot baked bread and butter. My Mom was always known for Her pies and cookies.
When we were living our summers in North Dakota, our house was the one in Calumet City and was always where everyone seemed to be for whatever. We cooked on an old wood stove which now resides in my brother Mike's place in Missouri. I want you to know I chopped wood and used a buck saw on many occasions for that stove. It always seemed to me when Dora was baking my pile of wood went quickly. Many of the wonderful people/friends in North Dakota were always looking for some of Dora's baking feats. During the threshing times we had a big old table Mom and Dora found at some auction that sat in the North Dakota living room. We always had it full on Saturday and Sundays. George Wright use to come calling one summer to court Grandma I guess--- what a wonderful man he was. You know as five small children we always had the big St. Denis eyes and the Croak ears!!! I don't ever remember ever ever having a bad day when living in North Dakota. Water had to be hauled from the barn and wood to be chopped before I was allowed to go to the field, The smell of Kerosene lamps, slop jar to emptied every morning. Playing in the old barn or out buildings and the pets we kids had. Ah! life was much more simpler back then. The summer my Mom, Dora and us five kids spent in North Dakota alone will be one I shall always remember. My wife Norma today says my mind is always stays in North Dakota!!
==========
Also from Bob Croak:
Sometime after Thomas married Dora C. MacLeod the second time, she came down with breast cancer and had one breast removed. They were living in Arizona at that time and Thomas soon sent her packing back to their son Robert, My Father. Dora then lived with us and Dad and Mom took very good care of his Mother. I was only 13 or 14 years old at that time and don't remember when Grandma Croak came to live with us. Dora Croak always had, as long as I can remember, beautiful silver gray hair always done up nicely. She also had a good sense of humor and was always very good to us kids.
Dora Croak was admitted to Oak Forest Hospital, Oak Forest, Cook County, Illinois, 25 April 1960 until the day Dora passed away, 20 July 1962. The Medical Certificate, cause was Arteriescleretic Heart Disease.
==========
Dora is buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana. The address of the cemtery is: 6445 Hohman Ave, Hammond, Lake County, Indiana 46324-1078
Phone: 219-932-0206. Her headstone reads:
Mother
Dora C. Croak
1887- 1962
(Dora is reportedly buried next to her father Angus N. Macleod and near to her oldest son Angus P. Croak.- RW)
=============
From Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015:
Name: Dora C Croak
Birth Date: 25 Feb 1887
Claim Date: 20 Jul 1955
Type of Claim: Life Claim
Inscription
MOTHER DORA C. CROAK 1887 - 1962
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