Frank Skerbeck, for nearly 40 years a resident of dorchester, Clark County, Wis., died of heart trouble while riding on his merry-go-round at Oshkosh, June 15, 1921, his 74th birthday.

During wedding festivities of his granddaughter, Tillie Sebold, he in his usual genial way, suggested a ride to add to their joy and during the ride he quietly slipped away into the land where trouble never follows.

Frank Skerbeck was born in Austic, Austria, on June 15, 1847, and at the age of twelve mastered the feat of swallowing swords and entered the circus ring. Mr. Skerbeck has always laid claim to the fact that he was the first man to preform this feat, which has never been disputed. On Feb. 22, 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tillie and 16 children were born to them, eight of who are dead and eight living; three sons, Joe, Gust and Frank, and five daughters, Antonette, Annie, Clara, Amanda and Pearl.

They resided in the village of Dorchester during the winter and were on the road with their amusement company in the summer.

Frank Skerbeck, for nearly 40 years a resident of dorchester, Clark County, Wis., died of heart trouble while riding on his merry-go-round at Oshkosh, June 15, 1921, his 74th birthday.

During wedding festivities of his granddaughter, Tillie Sebold, he in his usual genial way, suggested a ride to add to their joy and during the ride he quietly slipped away into the land where trouble never follows.

Frank Skerbeck was born in Austic, Austria, on June 15, 1847, and at the age of twelve mastered the feat of swallowing swords and entered the circus ring. Mr. Skerbeck has always laid claim to the fact that he was the first man to preform this feat, which has never been disputed. On Feb. 22, 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tillie and 16 children were born to them, eight of who are dead and eight living; three sons, Joe, Gust and Frank, and five daughters, Antonette, Annie, Clara, Amanda and Pearl.

They resided in the village of Dorchester during the winter and were on the road with their amusement company in the summer.