|
a.
|
Note: From the Mapleton, Minnesota Enterprise
Casper Schimmele, Pioneer, Patriot, Friend Answers Last Role Call
The old soldiers of Sam Louden Post, G.A.R. were in hopes that the year might bring around Memorial Day without the loss in their ranks, but such is not the case. On Tuesday morning, April 24, 1917 shortly after the hour of nine, Casper Schimmele, who has been seriously ill for weeks, answered the last roll call. The summons was expected, yet all were reluctant to part with the grand old man, who with his optimism has made life happy for all with whom he ame in contact. Casper Schimmele was born in Bavaria, Germany on the 2nd of May 1830, and it must have been under a happy star, as all through his long life he has been scattering sunshine all the way. There was no occasion when he could not smile and during his long illness, whenever his grandchildren called he was ready to greet them pleasantly. Only a few hours before his death he spoke to his youngest son, Joe, and while he realized the end was near he faced it with the same loyalty he faced Rebel bullets in the dark days of the rebellion. Like his friend, L. Troendle, who departed this life a few hours prior to that of the deceased, Mr. Schimmele was left early in life an orphan, his mother passing away when he was but two days old and his father, five years later. As the architect of his own fortunes he worked his way through life following agricultural lines and at the age of 18 when examined for military service in his native country, Germany, was excused because of an infirmity. At the age of 23, a small legacy left by his father was turned over for his use and he immediately decided to try his fortune in America, which at that time was receiving considerable publicity because of the advantages offered to the poor man. On reaching this country in 1853 Mr. Schimmele proceeded to Cook County, Illinois. Chicago was at that time but a small place and not finding the employment sought he proceeded to Joliet, Illinois, where he obtained employment clearing up a tract of 80 acres of timber. So successfully was the work performed that a larger contract of clearing up a quarter section was immediately forthcoming. On the 6th day of October 1855, Mr. Schimmele was married to Kathryn Beidenkopf in Chicago, and for a few years made his home at what is now called Blue Island, a suburb of that great city. With the gold excitement of 1859 Mr. Schimmele made one of a party of eight who started on a pilgrimage over land to "Pikes Peak or Bust". They were amply provisioned and with six yoke of oxen started on the long trip and on reaching their destination found that the stories told of the fortunes to be made were far more enticing than the facts and that it was difficult to make a living. The party accordingly turned their faces eastward and on reaching Kansas went to work in the hayfields on what seemed to be a profitable contract, but in this, they recompense for the hay. Mr. Schimmle then returned to Chicago and in 1861 again turned his face toward the west with Minnesota as the point of destination. Arriving in Blue Earth Country, Mr. Schimmele selected for home steading the farm on which Herman Schutte resides just west of Mapleton. Before filing upon the place he was constrained to look elsewhere by an offer of $5 in gold, which was given him by a young man who had accompanied the Mapleton colony in its pilgrimage westward and who was being chaperoned by William Wilde, secretary of the company. Mr. Schimmele then turned his eyes to the east and homesteaded the farm on which his son William now resides. A year after locating here the whole country was placed in an uproar by the Indian excitement of 1862. Through it all the new settler remained on his new home although in speaking of the matter to an Enterprise reporter a few years ago said, "We were compelled to use every precaution even to taking the bells off our cows, so that they would not attract the red man and to keep close watch to prevent any unexpected attack." The Indian trouble over, Mr. Schimmele enlisted in the service of the land of his adoption as a member of the Co. F Minnesota Heavy Artillery and was assigned to service near Chattanooga, Tennessee. His wife and family remained on the frontier and during the troublesome terms tiled the soil. As one of the first homes in this section, it was a sort of rendezvous for the early settlers and for those traveling through the country, and its hospitality became far famed. The deceased was a member of the Catholic Church, being faithful to his God in living an upright, honest life. He also was an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in both of which organizations he was held high in regard because of his universal kindness. He always had a kind word and took his greatest pleasure in life making others happy. He was a man of integrity and enjoyed the confidence of all whom he dealt. Mr. Schimmele is survived by five sons and four daughters. The funeral was held from the Catholic Church Thursday morning with the internment in Calvary Cemetery. A good man has gone to rest and an old soldier has answered the last roll call and another of the pioneers has been gathered to his fathers.
SCHIMMELE, CASPER Land Office: WINNEBAGO CITY Sequence #: Document Number: 375 Total Acres: 160 Misc. Doc. Nr.: 911 Signature: Yes Canceled Document: Yes Issue Date: September 01, 1869 Mineral Rights Reserved: No Metes and Bounds: No Survey Date: Statutory Reference: 12 Stat. 392 Multiple Warantee Names: No Act or Treaty: May 20, 1862 Multiple Patentee Names: No Entry Classification: Homestead Entry Original Remarks: CANCELED DOCUMENT
Legal Land Description: # Aliquot Parts Block # Base Line Fractional Section Township Range Section # 1 SW 5TH PM No 105 N 26 W 2
SCHIMMELE, CASPER Land Office: JACKSON Sequence #: Document Number: 375 Total Acres: 160 Misc. Doc. Nr.: 911 Signature: Yes Canceled Document: No Issue Date: August 01, 1872 Mineral Rights Reserved: No Metes and Bounds: No Survey Date: Statutory Reference: 12 Stat. 392 Multiple Warantee Names: No Act or Treaty: May 20, 1862 Multiple Patentee Names: No Entry Classification: Homestead Entry Original
Legal Land Description: # Aliquot Parts Block # Base Line Fractional Section Township Range Section # 1 SW 5TH PM No 105 N 26 W 3
Listed in 1860 census as Martin Caspar
|
