Parents: Jacob and Mary (Reiter) Milbocker.

Full-Siblings, in birth order: Peter, John, Clement, Mary (all born in New York - See Jacob's memorial for their dates/places of birth/death)

Half-Siblings, in birth order: Anton, Maria, Julia, Regina, Vincent, Michael, Joseph, Frank, Mathias, George (all born in Austria - See Jacob's memorial for their dates/places of birth/death. Only Julia, Frank and George lived past age 3.)

Spouse: Elizabeth Kaufman (married 11-7-1881)

Children: Esidore (died of whooping-cough at 8 months), Caroline, Cecilia, Ambrose, Margaret, Clara, Veronica, Patrick, Loretta, Agnes

"North Branch Gazette" Jan. 1915:
"Joseph Milbocker, the well-known and prosperous Burnside farmer who was so badly jammed by being caught between his heavy sleighs and the building, while marketing a load of beans at the Harper Elevator Company's plant, in this village, Wednesday afternoon of last week, as related in the Gazette, died from the effects of his injuries at a few minutes after one o'clock Tuesday morning.
Immediately after the accident the unfortunate man was taken to his home and it was first thought that the mishap would not prove of serious consequence, but instead of the hoped for improvement his condition rapidly grew more alarming, and Dr. Traphagen, who was in attendance, advised an operation, which was performed Thursday night by Dr. H. E. Randall, of Flint, assisted by Drs. Traphagen and Thomas, but all that surgical and medical skill could do proved unavailing.
Throughout his intense suffering the patient was in complete control of his mental faculties. Conscious that his days were numbered, he dictated to his attorney the terms of his last will and testament and gave directions as to the settlement of other business affairs.
Born in Lewis County, N.Y., February 26, 1856, Joseph Milbocker was consequently nearly 59 years of age. In the spring of 1875 he came with his parents to Michigan. On November 7, 1881, he took as his bride Miss Elizabeth Kaufman, of Burnside Township, and took up his home at Marlette, where he resided for seven years, then removed to his late home.
He was a man of sterling qualities, universally esteemed by all who knew him, and his loss from the community is sincerely regretted.
Besides the sadly bereaved widow, his shocking and untimely death is mourned by a family of nine children - Mrs. John Schumacher, of Detroit, Mrs. Frank Houck and Mrs. George Houck, of North Branch Township, Ambrose Milbocker, of Imlay City, Mrs. John Roach, of Lapeer, Veronica, Patrick, Loretta and Agnes, at home. He also leaves four brothers - Frank, of Tyre, Sanilac County, John and George, of North Branch, and Clement, of Gaylord.
The funeral services were held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock at St. Mary's Catholic Church, the pastor, Rev. Fr. Gaffney, officiating, and interment was made in St. Mary's Cemetery."
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During the winter, Joseph subsidized his farm income by traveling to Saginaw, Michigan, where he worked at "Vurdries Lumber Camp" (see photo).
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Daughter, Clara, recalled that, "Dad always ordered a crate of limburger cheese to eat during the meatless days of Lent."
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Joseph loved frisky horses, but one horse, "Toby", proved to be too frisky. After dragging Joseph across a field, while plowing one day, Joseph sold him to the "Lapeer Winery". Toby's new owner soon regretted the purchase. One day, while pulling the wine wagon through the city, he broke into a fast gallop, leaving broken kegs and wine everywhere!
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Accident details (that led to Joseph's death): It was probably Dec. 31, 1914. Joseph usually took his wife (to hold his horses' reins) with him to the elevator, but went alone, with a load of beans, this time. Upon arriving, the elevator's noon whistle blew, scaring his horses. When they reared, he was thrown between the building, and pinned there by another farmer's sleigh and horses, causing severe interior bleeding and injury.

Joseph's surgery was done on the family's dining-room table, his daughter, Loretta, related. Later, when it was apparent he wouldn't live, each child went to his bedside, one by one, to shake hands and say goodbye. When asked, "What did he say to you?" she tearfully replied, "He said, 'Take good care of your mother'." (No hugging or kissing in this German family, but Loretta's tears, as she spoke, indicated there still was love.)

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His "love" was misguided, however, because he sometimes lacked compassion. "When Ma had the dentist pull all her teeth, with nothing but whiskey for pain," recalled daughter, Loretta, "Ma began crying, when riding home with Dad, who promptly told her to 'quit your whining!'"
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After school, one afternoon, Loretta and younger sister, Agnes, were in their yard; throwing their syrup-can lunch pails into the air. Agnes' hit Loretta on the head; then Loretta's hit Agnes. "Agnes ran to Dad," Loretta said. "Oh boy! Did I ever get it! He took me behind the woodshed! I couldn't sit for weeks!"
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Loretta continued, "Our family and neighbors were helping my sister, Maggie, and husband, George, build their home and, as was customary, the men and boys ate lunch first; then the women and girls. When Dad had eaten, he told Ma to get in the buggy, as he was leaving for home. Hungry, she refused, so he angrily left without her. He lived in his barn for several days, still angry. Ma just left him there."

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From Joseph's funeral "Memorial Record"
Death: January 5th, 1:05am. Age: 58 years, 10 months, 14 days. Officiating Clergyman: Rev. Fr L.P. Gaffney. Song Selections: "Nearer, My God, to Thee", rendered by Elizabeth, Mary, Louise and Christopher Swoish, Anthony Esper & John Scharf. Pall-Bearers: Adam Kreiner, Martin Radell, Frank Kreiner, Peter Linck, Gregory Kreiner and James Martus. Floral Offerings were presented by the "Harper Elevator Company", North Branch. Mass Offerings: Albert Hodgkinson, Frank Roach, Mrs John Roach, Mrs John Schumacher, Mrs Joseph Milbocker, Veronica Milbocker

"WE LOVED HIM IN LIFE; LET US NOT FORGET HIM IN DEATH."