John Scheel (1808 - 1864)

Born 20 May 1808 in Rhenish Bavaria

Died 17 Jan 1864 at age 55 in St. Clair, Illinois, United States

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Biography

John Scheel, History of St. Clair Co., Ill., biography written in 1881.

One of the early German settlers of St. Clair Co. was John Scheel. He was born at Falkenstein in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, May 20th, 1808. He was educated for the Forrestry at the Academy of Aschaffenberg, in 1823; he emigrated to America, and in August of the same year, together with the Engelmanns, Koerners, and other German families came west and settled in St. Clair county, Illinois. Here he took up the profession of Civil Engineer. In 1836 he received an appointment as Civil Engineer under the so-called "Internal Improvement Law," which position he retained until 1839, when the system was abolished. He was afterwards elected County Assessor, for St. Clair county. In 1849 he become County Clerk, which office he held eight years, or for two full terms. In 1858, while absent on a visit to the country of his birth, he was elected a member of the Legislature. He served with distinction in that body. In 1860 he was unanimously nominated for the office of State Senator by the Republican party. Although he received a heavy majority in his own county, and reduced the Democratic majority in Monroe (which with St. Clair formed the Senatorial District), he was defeated, and his opponent, Judge W. H. Underwood, elected by a small majority. In 1862 he was appointed Assessor of Internal Revenue for what was then the 12th Congressional District of Illinois, and held that office until the time of his death, January 17th, 1864.

On the 17th of October, 1838, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Engelmann, who still survives him. Mr. Scheel, in his line, was a man of more than ordinary ability, and stood very high in the estimation of his fellow citizens. His death was universally lamented by all classes of people, and he was one among the many prominent Germans, who have left their impress upon the history of St. Clair county. As a public officer he was noted for strict integrity and probity in all of his official acts. Of a genial disposition and equitable temperament he endeared himself to all who knew him. Progressive and enterprising he was ever ready to aid in promoting and furthering all laudable undertakings which had for their object the moral, intellectual and material advancement of the State and county of his adoption.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127922665/john-scheel: accessed 17 September 2023), memorial page for John Scheel (20 May 1808–17 Jan 1864), Find A Grave: Memorial #127922665, citing Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Barb T. (contributor 48197628).