John Schiele | Genealogy Lady

CLAY CITY

Mrs. C. E. Fesler accompanied her aunt Mrs. Mills to Brazil last Monday – F. A. Horner, Eli Coopridger, D.W. David and Mr. Sedgwick went to the Capital on court business last Monday – Counterfeit silver coins are said to be numerously circulated in this community – Mrs. Nellie Bagott accompanied by her little daughter went to Brazil Monday – Daniel Kambler, an old citizen and for many years a resident of this township, died last lweek at the home of his sone in Wayne county, Illinois – John Schiele, of Olney, Illinois, has been visiting his brother Michael Schiele – Will Schultz thinks of relocating on Eel river, having an eye to the Connely farm – Last Sunday, two youths of this locality found a stranger lying by the railroad tracks, supposed to have been drunk, who proceeded to rifle the helpless man’s pockets. It was a bold, dastardly trick, and the young men were recognized by a lady who will identify them when the occasion demands.

“Clay City,” Brazil Democrat (Brazil, Indiana), 24 October 1889, p. 8, col. 2.

“John Schiele, of Olney, Illinois, has been visiting his brother Michael Schiele.” – It is only one sentence but it finally confirmed a relationship that has long been suspected. Both men were born in Germany, and died before death certificates were mandatory. Two census enumerations gave evidence to a possible relationship, but not definitive proof. In 1860, John was living in Michael’s household in Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio. Since the early census records did not include relationships among household members, these relationships can only be inferred. Michael later moved to Clay County, Indiana, where he appeared on the 1870 census. John was no longer a member of Michael’s household, but he too had made the journey from Ohio and was living in the same Clay County township.

Now that it is known that John and Michael were in fact brothers, perhaps more evidence revealing their family origins in Germany may be not too far behind.