Podcast-Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy

Just wanted to make you aware of my Podcast that I put up last week.
It's right along the side, right underneath the blog archive.

It tells of the story of Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy's parade float that he made in 1904, shortly after he came back from being the Scandinavian Mission President.
After looking through the newspapers for Skanchy's in the Logan area, I kept happening upon an ad that always went a little like this:

Logan Republican, 1904-06-25, Local News

After searching a little deeper, I finally found what little house he kept referring to:

Logan Republican, 1904-06-08, The Final End of June First-Parade

As my podcast explains, he made a small custom house to put on his float for the parade, and it was apparently a crowd favorite. Hope you enjoy it!

Clara Caroline Skanchy (1896-1901)

This week is focused on Clara Caroline Skanchy.

          Clara Caroline Skanchy was the daughter of Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy and Sigrid Langaard, his third wife. 

Basic Sketch of her Life: 

Clara was born August 14th, 1896 in Logan to Sigrid Langaard. Her brother "Fritz" was only two years older than her, and were raised together with the rest of the Skanchy family on the main street of Logan.  Clara sadly did not live long; she passes away five years later on November 13th, 1901, a few months after her birthday. Her passing was mourned by the community and she was then buried a few days later on the 17th in the Logan Cemetery.
Clara, along with Minnie (see the previous blog post), were the two daughters that passed away while Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy was the mission president of the Scandinavian Mission. This would, no doubt, be extremely difficult to imagine coping with the loss of two of his daughters during his absence. But Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy fulfilled his calling, and returned to Logan on December 6th, 1904, a few months after the death of his daughter Mina Christina Skanchy.

Logan Nation, 1901-11-20, Local Briefs

Tombstone of Clara Carolina Skanchy, Logan Cemetery, Logan, Utah

Other Sources found on Clara Caroline Skanchy: 

1900;Click for full-res image

1900 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan City, p. 257 (stamped), ED 78, sheet 15B, dwelling 276, family 295, Clara C. Skanchy; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12049-22556-36?cc=1325221 : accessed Oct 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T623.

Tune in later this week for another Skanchy!

-Kirstin Skankey

Mina Christina Skanchy (1877-1904)

This week is focused on Mina Christina Skanchy.

        Mina "Minnie" Christina Skanchy was the only daughter of Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy and Caroline Flygare, his second wife. 

Basic Sketch of her Life:

Mina was born on December 1st, 1877 in Logan, Utah. She grew up with her brothers, Lorenzo and Willard, and all of the other half-brothers in the house on South Main Street. Her and her brothers got along very well, and Minnie was well liked by much of the Logan community where she lived her entire life. She remained with the her parent's at their home until she was around 24. Around that time she had met and started courting Charles Larsen, a Swedish immigrant who was living in Fort. Bridger. They were soon receiving their marriage licenses to be married on April 16th, 1903:

Logan Nation, 1903-04-18- Marriage Licenses

After they were married, the couple moved out into another home in Logan. Soon Minnie was expecting a child. The delivery date came, but tragedy struck. Minnie passed away a few hours after giving birth to a healthy daughter on September 6th, 1904; leaving her husband Charles with their newborn child. The baby girl, named Minnie after her mother, was eventually raised by Charles's new wife, Laura Rebecca Walton. Her tragic passing was announced in the newspaper and she was laid to rest in the Logan Cemetery. She is eventually buried September 11th. Eventually, her husband and her mother, Caroline, join her on each side.

Logan Republican, 1904-09-10, Minnie Skanchy-Larsen

Death Certificate for Minnie Skanchy Larsen (1 Dec 1877- 6 Sept 1904)

Tombstone of Minna S. Larson, Logan Cemetery, Logan, Utah

Other Sources found on Mina Christina Skanchy Larson:

1880; Click for full-res image

 1880 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan Precinct, p. 153C (stamped), dwelling 341, family 386, Minnie Skankey; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11060-9252-87?cc=1417683 : accessed Oct 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T9.

1900; Click for full-res image

1900 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan City, p. 257 (stamped), ED 78, sheet 15B, dwelling 276, family 295, Minnie Skanchy; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12049-22556-36?cc=1325221 : accessed Oct 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T623.

Tune in next week for another Skanchy!

-Kirstin Skankey

Fritjof Nansen Skanchy (1894-1920)

This week is focused on Fritjof Nansen Skanchy.

              Fritjof "Fritz" Nansen Skanchy was the son of Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy and Sigrid Langaard, his third wife. 

Basic Sketch of his Life: 

Fritjof was born on March 27th, 1894 in the Skanchy house on South Main St., Logan, Utah. He was the only son born of Sigrid, and his older siblings all died before he was born. While growing up many people found his caring character worth mentioning, and it led to him gaining a lot of respect within the Logan community. Shortly after his 19th birthday, his father Anthon Lorenzo died, leaving Fritz to care for his mother, Sigrid. Shortly after his father's death, Fritz was able to attend Brigham Young College within Logan and graduated with a degree in teaching. While he was studying at Brigham Young College World War I broke out, and Fritz had to claim exemption from the draft since he was the sole provider for his mother and sister.
After he graduated, he worked at the North Cache High School in Logan. He was very driven in his academic pursuits; to the point that a former professor to Fritz, Professor Hickman, had asked that he "assist in teaching both at the A. C. and B. Y. C.". Fritz taught for only a few years before his sudden death on November 9th, 1920 due to a ruptured appendix. Fritz never married, but was considered prominent enough in the community that they had two separate articles relating to his death and burial, where many people attended to respect his achievements in his life.

Logan Republican, 1920-11-11, Mr.Fritz Skanchy Passes Away

Logan Republican, 1920-11-13, Fritz Skanchy Buried Yesterday

Death Certificate for Fritjof Nansen Skanchy (27 Mar 1894- 9 Nov 1920)

Tombstone of Fritjof Nansen Skanchy, Logan Cemetery, Logan, Utah

 Other Sources Found on Fritjof Nansen Skanchy:

1900; Click for full-res image

1900 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan City, p. 257 (stamped), ED 78, sheet 15B, dwelling 273, family 292, Fritjof N. Skanchy; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12049-22556-36?cc=1325221 : accessed Oct 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T623.

1910; Click for full-res image

 1910 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan City, p. 36 (stamped), ED 17, sheet 7B, dwelling 125, family 120, Fritjof Skanchy; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159310-48806-89?cc=1727033 : accessed Oct 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T624.

1920; Click for full-res image

1920 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan City, p. 115 (stamped), ED 27, sheet 7A, dwelling 135, family 142, Fritz Skanchy; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11023-54998-64?cc=1488411 : accessed Oct 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T625.

WWI Draft Registration; Click for full-res image

"U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards. 1917-1918", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-26284-13453-48?cc=1968530 : accessed Oct 2014) card for Fritz N. Skanchy, serial no. 40, Cache County, Utah.

-Tune in next week for another Skanchy!

-Kirstin Skankey

Anthon Skanchy (1869-1880)

This week is focused on Anthon Skanchy.

              Anthon Skanchy was the son of Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy and Anne Kristine Jacobsen, his first wife. 

Basic Sketch of his Life: 

Anthon was born on the 17th of March, 1869, shortly after his father and mother arrived in Utah from Norway. While his life only spanned 11 years, Anthon was the only child from Anne Kristine Jacobsen to survive past infancy. Being the oldest child as well, he lived through all of deaths of his full-blood siblings. His younger brothers and sister, Orson (1871-1871) and twins Emelia and Elias (1874-1874) died within the first month of life. 

He never was entirely alone, however; within the house of Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy the young Anthon found his two half-siblings- Lorenzo Oliver and Willard Richard- to grow up with. 

While not much can be said about him and what went on in his life, it is clear that he was loved by his family. He passed away in November 17th, 1880, a couple months after his eleventh birthday. 

Sources Found on Anthon Skanchy (And siblings):

 

1880: Click for full-res image

1880 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan Precinct, p. 153C (stamped), dwelling 341, family 386, Anthon Skankey; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11060-9252-87?cc=1417683 : accessed Sept 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T9.

Tombstone of Anthon Skanchy, Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Utah 

Tombstone of Orson Skanchy, Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Utah

Tombstone of Elias Skanchy, Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Utah

Tombstone of Emelia Skanchy, Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Utah

-Tune in next week for another Skanchy!

-Kirstin Skankey

Willard Richard Skanchy (1875-1936)

This week is focused on Willard Richard Skanchy.

   

    Willard Richard Skanchy was the son of Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy and Caroline Flygare, Anthon's second wife. 

Basic Sketch of his Life:

      Willard R. Skanchy was born November 11th, 1875 in Logan, Cache County, Utah Territory.

He was the second son of Anthon and Caroline, and grew up helping Anthon with the carpentry business that his father had created. His father, being the bishop of the sixth ward in Logan, also kept his family involved within the church as well as the 'Scandinavians of Cache Valley', a support group for their ethnic heritage. By 1900, Willard had met and began to court Alice Wray (1880-1968), who also lived within the same county. According to the newspaper clipping from the Logan Nation, Willard and Alice received their marriage licence to be married on 30 August, 1900, only a few days before Willard left for his 'mission to Scandinavia':

Logan Nation, Aug 28th, 1900 (Local Briefs)

        Willard became one of the 99 elders that were sent to the Scandinavian mission late in the year 1900. In April 29, 1901, Willard's father, Anthon L. Skanchy, became the president of the Scandinavian Mission. While Willard was there he was able to witness his father gather enough funds to create a mission home and the Copenhagen meeting hall for the saints within that city. (Andrew Jenson, History of the Scandinavian Mission, (Salt Lake City, Deseret News Press, 1927), 381-390.)

After Willard's mission was over, Willard and Alice stayed within Logan and had two children; Willard Leland (1903-1977) and Zelda Ella (1914-2003). Here in Logan, Willard continued to be an active part of the community and his church. Willard initially earned a living as a carpenter, but soon began to run and maintain a grocery store near the center of town by the 1930s.

Willard died on January 6th, 1936 within Logan, with the cause of death being related to Angina Pectoris, which is a side effect of having coronary heart disease. He was buried in the town he lived in his entire life- Logan. He was buried a few days later in the Logan City Cemetery, and thirty years later his wife Alice joined him. 

Death Certificate for Willard Richard Skanchy (11 Nov 1975-6 Jan 1936)

Tombstone of Willard R. Skanchy, Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Utah

A few more tidbits surrounding Willard's life:

While searching through the newspaper clippings from the Logan Republican, an article came up that mentioned Willard was a base singer in the "Sage Brush Glee Club" vocal group that began in 1904. This was also found within a Thanksgiving celebration in 1906, where Willard and 'his quartet' gave a musical number. Apparently singing was an enjoyable part of his earlier life. 

Logan Republican, October 5th, 1904 (Under Generalities)

Logan Republican, November 28th, 1906 (Thanksgiving Services)

Sources Found on Willard Richard Skanchy:

Censuses: 

1880; Click for the full-res image

1880 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan Precinct, p. 153C (stamped), dwelling 341, family 386, Willard Skankey; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11060-9252-87?cc=1417683 : accessed Sept 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T9.

1900; Click for the full-res image

1900 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan City, p. 257 (stamped), ED 78, sheet 15B, dwelling 276, family 297, Willard Skanchy; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12049-22556-36?cc=1325221 : accessed Sept 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T623.

1910; Click for the full-res image

1910 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan City, p. 32 (stamped), ED 17, sheet 3B, dwelling 48, family 48, Willard R. Skanchy; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159310-48806-89?cc=1727033 : accessed Sept 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T624.

1920; Click for the full-res image

1920 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan City, p. 115 (stamped), ED 27, sheet 7B, dwelling 138, family 146, Willard R. Skanchy; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11023-54998-64?cc=1488411 : accessed Sept 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T625.

1930; Click for the full-res image

1930 U.S. Census, Cache County, Utah, population schedule, Logan City, p. 85 (stamped), ED 3-13, sheet 5B, dwelling 97, family 103, Willard R. Skankey; digital image, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-10174-47536-72?cc=1810731 : accessed Sept 2014); citing NARA microfilm publication T625.

WWI Draft Registration:

WWI Draft Registration; Click for the full-res image

"U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards. 1917-1918", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-26284-13343-39?cc=1968530 : accessed Sept 2014) card for Willard Richard Skanchy, serial no. 2088, Cache County, Utah.

                                                                          -Tune in next week for another Skanchy!

                                                                                                       -Kirstin Skankey

A Legacy Worth Recording

          To start, I would like to introduce myself briefly and explain my purpose for this blog.
My name is Kirstin Skankey and I am currently in college studying history. With a last name like Skankey, I felt that my family's last name was the only one of it's kind. I was constantly asked where my name came from and I only was able to answer with the only answer that I had been told:

"It's Norwegian."

"It used to be Skanchy, but then they changed it since no one was able to pronounce it."

"Yes, it's really Skankey."

"No, we chose not to change it back."

"Yes, it's REALLY Skankey."

However, as I have pursued my family history over the years I have found that my Skankey family is only a part of the puzzle.

Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy, my Great-Great-Great Grandfather, was the first Skanchy to make it to Utah in September 1868. Having been baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints early in 1861, Anthon served a few church missions within Norway before heading to America. Anthon's life was well spent with his family and the LDS church that led him back to his homeland often to preach the gospel. By the end of his life in 1914, he ultimately had three wives; Anne Christine Jacobsen (1832-1892), Caroline Flygar (1846-1918), and Sigrid Langaard (1868-1958).

Between these wives there were dozens of Skanchys that remained in Utah. Many years have passed since Anthon, but his legacy still remains with the group of Skanchys (and Skankeys) that still reside within Utah and the United States.
The goal that I have for this blog is to focus on one Skanchy ancestor each week in order to expand my knowledge of our fascinating family.
I hope this will be a great aid to other people who are interested in the Skanchy line.
So feel free to watch for those updates, because this blog will start to fill up with photos, documents, and records of our ancestors who are ready to have their stories told.