Roch Tabernshaski farming his land. Photo taken by Oscar Shugart In the late 1800’s. Courtesy of Leelanau Historical Society
It’s true! Omena once had a resident hermit. His name was Roch Tabernshaski and he lived somewhere between Suttons Bay and Omena in a “tiny house in the ground” near the railroad tracks with his “family”, a cow named Czarina, and bull named Czar, and an occasional calf. Roch wasn’t your usual hermit however. He spoke 7 languages and was an expert in eastern European History. He attended church regularly and had a “perfect baritone voice”. So why was he here?
Rosh Tabernshaski standing in front of his tiny house in the ground. Photo courtesy of Leelanau Historical Society
Roch was a was a kind, gentle, intelligent man who came to this country from Russia in about 1874. It is believed that he was a teacher there but had to give that up after he punished a student too severely and the student died. His life style was his way of doing penance. Roch had a sweetheart who he left behind with the intent of bringing her over when he had enough money. But when he wrote asking her to join him, he found she had married someone else. Roch was heartbroken.
Roch farmed the land and lived off what he grew and the beef he raised. He built a rail fence from wood he cut out of the woods to keep his “family” nearby, and collected junk, so basically he lived off things other people didn’t want. Sometimes he posed for photos which became postcards. This photo was taken by Oscar Shugart In the late 1800’s.
Roch died in 1918 at the age of 72 and is buried in Kateri Tekakawitha Catholic Church cemetery.
Courtesy of Leelanau Historical Society