After enjoying delicious fish cakes at the Cook County Historical Society fish cake dinner, attendees enjoyed a talk by Professor Phillip Anderson about early Cook County resident Olli Skratthult. Diners also enjoyed a lively Cook County trivia competition.
Another wonderful fish cake dinner for those who are interested in our county’s history was held at St. John’s Fellowship Hall on June 19. After dinner, Carrie McHugh, Historical Society director, introduced the guest speaker Professor Phillip Anderson, a former staff member at North Park University in the Chicago area.
His interesting talk featured an early Cook County resident and performer
Ollie Skratthult, whose Swedish name was Karl Johann Pederson. On entering the United States, his name was changed. Skratthult passed away in 1960 and was buried as Ollie Skratthult.
His family and then Skratthult himself owned a cabin in West Hovland, on the lakeside of Highway 61, where you may have seen the sign for Skratthult Trail.
Being of Swedish descent, all performances were done in Swedish language and music. When his Loafer’s Band performed in the county he was always amazed to find the first row was usually filled with Ojibway folk, who seemed to enjoy the three-part show of theater, comedy (which he did himself), music and dance. Entrance fees were 50 cents for the show and $1 with the dance. Skratthult and his group were so popular that he declared to all that he was a rich man, and always carried his money around in a suitcase. That came in handy at times for them. The troupe even performed at Max Hertig’s Hotel, just across the river in Canada, by walking across the Old Border Crossing’s “Outlaw Bridge.”
Check out the enjoyable, interesting Ollie’s “rest of the story,” with pictures, posters and a recorded video of the Swedish music of the type Skratthult and his band played. It’s all offered in the local musical display of the Cook County museum.
The event had a record-breaking 128 attendees and several people took home nice prizes. Lucky winners were Virginia Hah, Ed Hedstrom, Millie Gestel, Philis Anderson, Harriet Quarles, Lois Johnson, Donna Hambleton, Jeanne Hedstrom, Andrea Peterson, Evelyn McDonald, and Mike Reilly. They each took home a nice door prize. Prizes included items such as a Bally’s Blacksmith Shop mug; Chippewa City Church magnet and mug; historical card sets; an Isle Royale print; the book Fearless John, The America book, set of fishing flies, a copy of a neat advertising poster for Skratthult Loafer’s Band’s program and dance.
Following prizes a round of trivia was played, with questions provided by former Historical Society Director Pat Zankman. Questions asked were what year was the last service held at the Old Chippewa City church? What year was it built? What year was it saved by a water bucket brigade? Attendees were asked to name the blacksmiths who worked there.
Of Bally’s Blacksmith Shop there were trivia questions asking what year was the shop opened, what other businesses or industries did the blacksmith shop support and more.
Back to music, there were questions about the Lyght brothers’ band, such as what were the names of the brothers who were in the band. Attendees were asked to remember where Frank Gillis performed and to name other older musically talented families of Cook County. How many do you know?
It was another great evening for those who are interested in our wonderful county’s history.
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