Schissel, John 1839 -

SCHISSEL, HUBER, GAERTNER, GEISING, KOCH, HAUBER, BROGHAMMER, KRUMM, ETTLEDORF, LASSANCE, STORTZ, EINWALTER, MEYER, DONALD

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 11/2/2004 at 19:07:29

History of Winneshiek County Vol. II

The pioneer history of Winneshiek county contains the record of no more useful, honorable and worthy life than that of John Schissel, who during his forty-five years of residence here made many tangible and substantial contributions to its agricultural development and whose death deprived this section of one of her earliest settlers and most valued and represntative citizens. Mr. Schissel was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 2, 1839, and is a son of Peter and Mary Schissel, who crossed the Atlantic to America in 1844 and settled in Pennsylvania, where they continued to reside for thirteen years. They came to Winneshiek county in 1856, settling near Festina, where the father engaged in farming until his death. His wife passed away in 1863. To their union were born five children: Barbara, George and Peter, who have passed away; John of this review; and Joseph, a farmer near Ossian.

John Schissel accompanied his parents to America in 1844 and came with them to Winneshiek county in 1856, remaining with his parents for some time thereafter and assisting his father with the work of the homestead. At the age of twenty-five he began his independent career, turning his attention naturally to farming, which he understood thoroughly, having learned the details of that occupation through early and long continued experience. From that time until his death he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Washington township, operating also a threshing machine, and his well directed labors through the years were rewarded by a success which placed him in high position among progressive farmers in this locality.

On the 9th of June, 1864, Mr. Schissel was united in marriage to Miss Philomena Huber, a daughter of Frank Joseph and Mary Ann (Gaertner) Huber, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of France. The parents came to America about 1833 and after spending some time in Indiana came to Winneshiek county, locating here in the latter part of March, 1849. They made their home in what is known as Old Mission, Iowa, and the father afterward devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on November 23, 1888. His wife has also passed away, dying in 1901. To their union were born fourteen children: Philomena, the wife of the subject of this review: Phillip, deceased; George Henry, of Calmar; Caroline, the wife of Antone Koch, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Rose, who married George Haubner, of Calmar; Louisa, the wife of Charles Broghammer, of Decorah; Frank, of Old Mission, Iowa; Josephine, the wife of Charles Krumm, of Fort Atkinson; and Rosina, who married Henry Ettledorf, of Ossian. Mr. and Mrs. Schissel became the parents of seventeen children: Julia, deceased; Clara, the wife of George Broghammer, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; Joseph, of Calmar; Philip, who has passed away; John P., of Adams, Minnesota; Eugenia, the wife of J. Lassance, of Dubuque; Louisa, who married Charles Stortz, of Decorah, Rose, who became the wife of Fred Einwalter, of Fort Atkinson; William, of Alberta, Canada; Wilhelmine, twin to William, who married L. Meyer, of Fort Atkinson; Charles, a druggist in Gilmore City, Iowa; Matilda, who lives at home; George, a resident of Vincent; Felicita, the wife of William Donald, of Burr Oak, Iowa; Alphonse and Raymond, who reside in Fort Atkinson; and Bertram, now engaged in farming on the Schissel homestead. Of these Eugenia, now Mrs. Lassance, has give children, Ethel, Raymond, Ralph, Mildred and Mary Dorothy.

John Schissel was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. The cause of education found in him a stanch supporter and for many years he did able and effective work as a school director. He passed away upon his farm March 14, 1901, having spent the best and forceful years of his life in Winneshiek county, where his many excellent qualities of mind and character won for him the kindly regard of all who knew him.