Frank Ressler Family

From "Living Pioneers of Griggs County"

Frank's early days were covered in the John Ressler Story.  However in 1880, he came to Dakota Territory and worked for the Langer Brothers at Casselton for 2 years, when he went back to Casselton in 1886, he married Theresia Fiebiger.

After taking up land in Tyrol, he worked for R. C. Cooper - driving 4 mule teams, taking grain to Sansborn and hauling back lumber.

"Transportation wasn't always the best either.  One day in the spring of 1883, Frank's father needed some repairs for the mower.  They drove to Cooperstown with horses.  From there Frank walked to Hannaford and intended to take the train to Sanborn.  After it got dark and the train still didn't show up, Frank got tired of waiting and walked the ties the rest of the trip.

Snowstorms were always a hazard to the early pioneers.  Resslers had their experience with them too.  In the winter of '82, Frank and his father were caught in a snowstorm while in the barn and were unable to get out.

Another time, in 1887, Frank and his neighbor, Ed Zimprich, made a trip to Cooperstown.  By the time they were ready to start for home, it was dark and storming.  Lucy Ruggles, another neighbor, rode with them.  The roads weren't bad until they got out a few miles.  After they let Ruggles off, it began to get worse.  When they got to Section 19, Tyrol Township, the road angled across the Section and was not traveled much.  Ressler got out and walked in front of the team.  Zimprich was sure they were going the wrong direction and wanted to turn the other way.  Ressler had his wits with him and responded, "I'm not going to Cooperstown.  You never saw the wind change from the northwest in a snowstorm in North Dakota, did you?"  In a short time, they reached John Ressler's place safely and stayed the night.

Another snowstorm experience proved exciting too.  In the early days the settlers plowed around their building to protect against prairie fires.  But even in the winter this proved a lifesaver to Mr. and Mrs. Ressler.  When they were coming home from his father's house, a storm broke.  Probably by chance, their mules ran across the breaking.  By following that up, they were able to go toward the house although they could not see it.

They lived on the farm until 1911 when they rented out the farm and moved to Jessie.  Here Mr. Ressler ran a feed mill for Robert Thorn.  They moved to Waterville for almost ten years, and then moved back to Jessie."

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 460