CHARLES SCHIELE

Charles Schiele, one of Iowa’s native sons, is descended from families which have long been represented in this state. Born in Farmington township, Cedar county, on the 16th of May, 1870, he is a son of Charles L. and Elizabeth (Bernick) Schiele, both natives of Saxony, Germany, the former born in Wittenberg, December 16, 1840, and the latter in Rhodensia on the 28th of May, 1849. The father was a son of Carl and Wilhelmina (Wattenberg) Schiele, who came to America at an early day, locating in Iowa where they passed away. Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Mortz and Augusta Bernick, who also passed away in Muscatine county, Iowa. In their family were three sons and two daughters.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Schiele, the parents of our subject, came to the new world in early youth, the former at the age of thirteen years and the latter at the age of eleven, the families locating in Montpelier, Muscatine county, and Walcott, Scott county, respectively. They were united in marriage in Muscatine county. Mr. Schiele, however, had previously resided in Cedar county for several years, and after his marriage continued to make his home in this county for some time, actively engaged in the occupation of farming in Farmington township. He was very successful and at one time owned nine hundred and forty acres of land, all of which he acquired entirely through his own well directed efforts. Upon his retirement from active life, which occurred in 1903, he was the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres. In the latter year he removed with his wife to Davenport, where they now make their home, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of their former toil. In their family were five children, as follows: Charles, of this review; Gustave, residing in Durant, Farmington township; Mortz, of Chicago, Illinois; Rudolph, a resident of Downey; and Clara, at home.

On the old homestead in Farmington township, Charles Schiele spent the period of his boyhood, acquiring his early education in the country schools near his father’s home and later graduating from the Wilton Academy at Wilton, Iowa. When not busily engaged with his text-books, he assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with all the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. He remained at home until 1900, when he removed to his present farm, where he has since continuously resided. The place, which is located on section 18, Iowa township, consists of three hundred and twenty acres of land, all highly improved and yielding good harvest in return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Schiele has made a careful study of agriculture, and that his early training was most thorough and comprehensive and his later methods progressive and up-to-date, is indicated by the substantial success which has crowned his efforts in this direction. He has also given much attention to stock-raising, specializing in high grades of all kinds, and this branch of his business is also proving most remunerative.

It was in the year 1899 that Mr. Schiele was united in marriage to Miss Emma Miller, who was born in Farmington township on the 28th of March, 1875, a daughter of William and Lena (Leith) Miller, natives of Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schiele have been born two children, Carl and Helen.

In politics Mr. Schiele has been a stanch democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he has been active and helpful in promoting the interests of that organization in the community in which he has resided. A warm champion of the cause of education, he has served for several years as school director, five years in Farmington township and eight years in Iowa township, and in the summer of 1910 was the democratic nominee for the office of county supervisor. Progressive and public-spirited in his citizenship, he has ever supported those measures which have had for their object the upbuilding and growth of the community in which he has resided, and his many excellent traits of character have constituted him a most valued citizen.