Roch Tybushewsky - "The Hermit" of Suttons Bay

Roch Tybushewsky

"The Hermit" of Suttons Bay

The life of Roch Tybushewsky has long been shrouded in myth and mystery. Due to the continued digitization of genealogical records, more and more of his past has been uncovered, but much is still speculative. This is Roch’s story – it is by no means complete or authoritative but it is based on research and oral tradition.

Roch is most commonly known as “The Hermit" of Suttons Bay. Merriam-Webster defines a hermit as “one that retires from society and lives in solitude, especially for religious reasons.” Although Roch loosely fits within its definition, he was by no means reclusive. Roch would regularly pose for pictures that eventually were produced as postcards. Traveling to the village of Suttons Bay was an adventure for Roch, during which time he would interact with the people he met on his journey. It was also common for people to visit him at his home where he was unperturbed by their presence. Based on those anecdotes, it’s interesting that over the years he has come to be known as a hermit when he was just a unique man making his own way in life.

Roch Tybushewsky was born on December 29, 1846, in Poland, Russia. An article written in 1918 by the Traverse City Record-Eagle gives the place of his birth as Plock, near Warsaw. During that time in history, much of the eastern side of Poland (including Plock) was integrated into the Russian Empire to become what was informally known as Congress Poland. Little is known about Roch’s childhood other than the names of his parents Bartholemew and Constancia Dumanska. Oral tradition has passed down that Roch was politically involved while living in Congress Poland. As a native, it’s possible that Roch, at the age of 17, could have been involved with the January uprising of young Polish men against conscription into the Imperial Russian Army. From 1863 to 1864, the insurrectionists were outnumbered and failed to win any major victories. When Russia finally regained control the retaliation was severe: executions and deportations to Siberia.

The next appearance of Roch in historical records appears in the Cheboygan City Directory of 1884. He is listed as living in Duncan City and working as a laborer for Thompson Smith. The majority of Duncan City was owned by Thompson Smith, a kind but strict businessman who operated a large wooding and sawmill operation that at its height employed 500 men. Thompson Smith died in 1884, marking the beginning of the decline for Duncan City as a major center of business in Cheboygan County.

On January 15, 1889, Roch Tybushewsky became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Roch first filed his declaration of intention to become a citizen on October 12, 1880, in Presque Isle County. At the time that Roch signed his naturalization oath, he was living in Otsego County. A man by the name of Albert M. Hilton vouched that Roch had been living in Otsego County for more than one year and that he behaved as a man of “good moral character” who upheld the Constitution.

In 1891, Roch sold 40 acres of property in Otsego County to Valentine Koronka for $600. A record showing when Roch acquired this property could not be located. After that sale, Roch does not appear in any historical documents for almost ten years, until he shows up in the 1900 census. It’s interesting to note that Roch missed inclusion in the 1880 census. The 1890 census was destroyed by a fire in 1921.

Roch immigrated to America in 1874 at the age of 28. Oral histories have given Roch’s reasons for leaving Europe as a need to escape his home country. It’s unknown whether this is because of his possible political activism or another rumor that seems to surface in every history written about Roch. That rumor is that Roch, while working as a school teacher, punished a student too severely and the student died. Some of the tales say this occurred in Europe and others say here in Michigan. These stories go on to state that Roch’s lifestyle was a form of self-inflicted penance. It is well documented that Roch was a man of the Catholic faith, most likely raised from a young age in the church. Both stories are plausible, but they could also be exaggerated speculation about a man whose peculiarity needed explanation.

Census documents consistently give the year of Roch’s arrival in America as 1874, but it is unknown at which port he arrived or where he lived before appearing in a city directory in 1884. A Marcellus Tybuschewsky was listed as working as a servant at St. Mary’s School in Detroit in 1878 when there were about 1200 students enrolled at the school. Could this be Roch, using a different name? Could this job be the source of the rumor that Roch unintentionally killed a school child? Although it may never be known for sure if this historical record relates to Roch, it does seem possible that it may have been him. What is certain is that Roch was Catholic, he was living in America at that time (some tales of Roch even mentioned Detroit as a place he may have lived), and Tybushewsky is a very uncommon family name.

While Roch resided in Leelanau County he lived a simple life of self-sufficiency. Roch’s clothing and possessions were things that people of Suttons Bay no longer wanted or needed. His clothing was often just rags, and he would even wear blankets. Shoes must have been hard to come by, or Roch may have not liked them, as he is often photographed barefoot. Roch farmed the land surrounding his home and even raised cattle. He usually had three at a time: a cow for milking, a bull for breeding, tilling and eating, and a calf. The cattle are often referred to as “Roch’s family” because he took such good care of them. He had a few different names for the animals including “my girl,” or “my boy” as well as “Star” (milking cow) and “Starina” (female calf). The male calves would be raised until butchering age. It was observed that Roch’s diet consisted mostly of fairy and beed. He would make a special type of butter from sour cream. When Roch went into Suttons Bay for supplies or to scavenge he would bring his entire family. It would take a full day’s time, which would include a few stops along the way to have some fresh milk right from his cow. The bill was not castrated and many citizens were often amazed by how well Roch could keep him under control.

In December 1918, like many other people in Leelanau County, Roch caught Spanish Influenza. Without any family to care for him it is said that the Belanger Family who lived nearby took him in for a time, but he was eventually committed to the Traverse City State Hospital at the age of 72. The petition for admission to the State Hospital stated that he “wanders away and has hallucinations.” According to protocol, Roch was examined by two doctors: Dr. William Payne and Dr. Joseph Slepicka. Both physicians came to the conclusion that Roch was suffering from senile dementia. Roch was escorted by Sheriff John Kinnucan to Traverse City where he was admitted on December 17, 1918. That same month the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that Roch had died from influenza. However, Roch actually lived for another twelve years under the skilled care of doctors and nurses at the Traverse City State Hospital. He passed away on March 3, 1931 of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) at the age of 84. According to the Suttons Bay Courrier, Roch is buried in Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church Cemetery in Peshawbestown.

Over the years many stories have been written about Roch’s life, some purely based on rumor and others more grounded in fact. Some of these articles make assumptions about his lot in life, calling him pathetic, reclusive, bitter, and broken. What is known is that Roch was self-sufficient with a roof over his head, livestock and food to eat. And while he was considered eccentric, he had friends. While still a mystery, it is hoped that this version of his story redefines Roch as a resilient man who, for weather reason, chose a life of simplicity.

His second home was said to be around here: along the railroad track at the end of Stallman Road north of Belanger Mill.

This is around where Roch's first home in the area was said to be: a mile and a half north of Suttons Bay and near the Anderson Farm.

In 1900, Roch was 53 and living in the Suttons Bay area working as a farm laborer. He could read, write, and speak English. It is marked that he rented a house, which may lead credit to the assertion that Roch lived in two different areas north of Suttons Bay. According to the Suttons Bay Bi-Centennial Handbook. Roch’s first home was a mile and a half north of Suttons Bay near the Albert Anderson farm. His second home was along the railroad track at the end of Stallman Road north of Belanger Mill. At that site, Roch constructed three sod-roofed buildings partially dug into the railroad bank. Inside one of the buildings, there was a bunk up against the dirt where he slept, and on the other side, he kept his clothes. It is unclear who owned the property where Roch built his three dugouts. Some articles say he did, but some say it was state property, and others say private property (the owners not caring that Roch lived there). In 1910, Roch again did not appear in the census.

While Roch resided in Leelanau County he lived a simple life of self-sufficiency. Roch’s clothing and possessions were things that the people of Suttons Bay no longer wanted or needed. His clothing was often just rags, and he would even wear blankets. Shoes must have been hard to come by, or Roch may have not liked them, as he is often photographed barefoot. Roch farmed the land surrounding his home and even raised cattle. He usually had three at a time: a cow for milking, a bull for breeding, tilling and eating, and a calf.

The cattle are often referred to as “Roch’s family” because he took such good care of them. He had a few different names for the animals including “my girl,” or “my boy” as well as “Star” (milking cow) and “Starina” (female calf). The male calves would be raised until butchering age. It was observed that Roch’s diet consisted mostly of dairy and beef. He would make a special type of butter from sour cream. When Roch went into Suttons Bay for supplies or to scavenge he would bring his entire family. It would take a full day’s time, which would include a few stops along the way to have some fresh milk right from his cow. The bull was not castrated and many citizens were often amazed by how well Roch could keep him under control.

Roch was a very devout man who regularly attended mass at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Suttons Bay. It is said that he sang with a perfect baritone voice. As a young boy, Rudolph Rafshol recalls that Roch used to argue with the priest about biblical interpretation. An article published in 1983 recounts this story from Rick Steimel:

“The Hermit never sat with the congregation at church but preferred the sacristy of the loft. One Sunday, Roch was in splendid voice and was watched closely by a small boy. Leaving the church the lad nudged his mother and somberly remarked ‘Did you see Mother, Christ was in the church this morning!’”

This is a photograph of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Suttons Bay.

Other tales of Roch's life in Europe state that he worked in a mine in either France or Germany. Low wages and an injury on the job caused him to seek a better life in America. When he arrived in America he wished to become a priest so he attended the seminary.

Some say he had a sweetheart in Europe. When Roch had found a bit of success he wrote asking her to join him only to discover she had married another man. Roch was heartbroken.

Visitors who came to see Roch would meet a kind, gentle, trusting, and intelligent man. Some folks even recall that the school teachers in Suttons Bay would take their classes on field trips to see Roch. Stories passed down said that he knew many languages and was considered an expert on eastern European history. Roch has been described as a man with a lot of knowledge that he didn’t often share or express.

This photograph is of the Union School in Suttons Bay.

In December 1918, like many other people in Leelanau County, Roch caught Spanish Influenza. Without any family to care for him it is said that the Belanger Family who lived nearby took him in for a time, but he was eventually committed to the Traverse City State Hospital at the age of 72. The petition for admission to the State Hospital stated that he “wanders away and has hallucinations.” According to protocol, Roch was examined by two doctors: Dr. William Payne and Dr. Joseph Slepicka. Both physicians came to the conclusion that Roch was suffering from senile dementia. Roch was escorted by Sheriff John Kinnucan to Traverse City where he was admitted on December 17, 1918. That same month the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that Roch had died from influenza. However, Roch actually lived for another twelve years under the skilled care of doctors and nurses at the Traverse City State Hospital. He passed away on March 2, 1931, of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and pneumonia at the age of 84. According to the Suttons Bay Courier, Roch is buried in Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church Cemetery in Peshawbestown.

Over the years many stories have been written about Roch’s life, some purely based on rumor and others more grounded in fact. Some of these articles make assumptions about his lot in life, calling him pathetic, reclusive, bitter, and broken. What is known is that Roch was self-sufficient with a roof over his head, livestock, and food to eat. And while he was considered eccentric, he had friends. While still a mystery, it is hoped that this version of his story redefines Roch as a resilient man who, for whatever reason, chose a life of simplicity.