Mr. and Mrs. John H. Schaeffer and small son Edward arrived in Ashley on March 5, 1890. They drove up from Menno, S. D., in an open wagon, bringing with them such clothing and household furnishings as could be loaded in the wagon box. Ashley at that time was in its infancy, having been established less than two years. The Schaeffers had no friends or relatives here and were at a loss to know where to go. One of the townsmen approached Mr. Schaeffer, asking his name and trade. When told that he was a blacksmith by trade the homeseeker was welcomed with open arms. "That is just what we need," said his new found friend and a house was soon located for the family. Mr. Schaeffer established his blacksmith shop and worked early and late at his trade through the next several years. The people here were all more or less in straightened circumstances financially so pay for his work was sometimes slow in reaching him. New members to the family arrived thus making his need for additional sustenance ever keener. Mrs. Schaeffer was a true helpmate during their hard years. She cared for his home and children and was ever ready at his side to offer words of sympathy and encouragement when it seemed that he could not go on. Perseverance had its reward and success came to them and they prospered in their business.

In 1902 Mr. Schaeffer took up a homestead two and one-half miles north of Ashley but still continued to operate the blacksmith shop. He also conducted a general merchandise and grocery store for about 8 years. In 1917 he relinquished his blacksmith shop to his sons John and Christ and took up residence on the homestead. Work here was strenuous and ill health came upon him forcing him to retire. In the fall of 1926 he moved to Ashley again. Death came to him May 27, 1928. Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer were devout christians, belonging to the Evangelical church in the later years, where he served as a deacon and was also Sunday school superintendent for many years.

Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer were the parents of a large family of fine boys and girls, namely: Edward, born October 6, 1888, died May 7, 1935. He served as County Judge of McIntosh County for ten years; John, born Nov. 30, 1890, blacksmith, Eureka, S. D.; Lydia, born January 28, 1892 married to E. J. Ensslen, Wishek, N. D.; Hulda born March 8, 1894, died December 15, 1928, married to Rev. J. J. Lippert; Christian born July 21, 1896, formerly blacksmith, Ashley, N. D.; Katharina born March 10, 1900, married to Christ F. Fischer, Eureka, 5. D.; Jacob born August 30, 1901, Minister of Gospel, West Salem, Ill.; Edwin, born January 12, 1904, mechanic, Linton, N. D.; Arthur, born May 8, 1906, carpenter, Odessa, Wash.; Martin, born March 18, 1898, Pollock, S. D. Two children Emmanual and August died in infancy.

Mr. Schaeffer was a native of Neudorf, South Russia, having been born there September 30, 1859. His wife was Katharina Weber and they were united in marriage by the Boneakemper. Mrs. Schaeffer at this writing is with her son John in Eureka, S. D.

During the last couple years of his life, which he spent in town, Mr. Schaeffer related many interesting incidents regarding Ashley at the time he settled here. His first home he said was a sort of shack on rollers and had but one room. This of course furnished ample room for him and his wife and one child, but as others came the little place was outgrown and a new and larger place had to be provided. His blacksmith equipment was meager, just a few tools that he brought with him. At the time of his arrival he also possessed two horses and a wagon with about $2.50 in cash.

The Indian scare which so many tell of happened during the first year the Schaeffers were here. Mr. Schaeffer started on a trip to Eureka, S. D., to procure some necessary supplies, unaware of the impending score. When a few miles on his journey he met excited farmers hurrying toward Ashley. They were accompanied by their families and many had household goods and food supplies. They shouted to Mr. Schaeffer, saying, "Go back, go back, the Indians are coming." Mr. Schaeffer replied, "You go back and protect your homes. Don’t run away." continued his journey toward Eureka and they continued their flight toward Ashley. Upon his return home Mr. Schaeffer found his family and everyone else was unharmed. About the only damage done was not by the Indians but by the frightened people themselves. Many threw meat and other things in open wells so that the Indians could not get them. Others in haste to get away before being scalped left the doors of their homes open and upon returning found them occupied by wandering farm animals and poultry.

May 10 th , 1868, is the birth date of another of the pioneers of McIntosh County, John Schauer by name. He was born of German parentage in South Russia. There he grew to manhood and when he was twenty years old, he decided to come to America to seek his fortune. He arrived in New York and went to Marion, Dakota Territory and from there to Eureka. Being practically penniless and unable to find work, he walked to Ashley. He was fortunate to find work and was employed by a man by the name of Hieb at Jewell. He worked for this man one year and in 1889, he came to Ashley and filed on a homestead in Section 34, Township 129, Range 70.

In 1890, Mr. Schauer was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bertsch, the ceremony being performed by Rev. George Engelman. After going to their homestead, the first thing they did was to build a house. It was not very large so did not take long to build it. They constructed it of sod. That summer, a prairie fire swept through the country, taking everything in its path and John Schauer’s claim shack was one of the many houses that were burned. With undaunted courage, they started to build another house, this also was of sod. The furniture was home made and when they were established again, they were ready to face what ever might come their way. Their lot was no harder than that of their neighbor and surely better times would come. Mr. Schauer did not have any farm implements but the neighbors come to his assistance and helped put in his crop. They had "faith in this country" and when Mother Nature responded, she did so bountifully. While they did not receive a very good price for their grain, they were satisfied and were able to save and buy more land and better equipment.

There were thirteen in their family, eight children are living and are:

Magdalena, now Mrs. Gruenich, Underwood, N. D.; Lydia, now Mrs. J. C. Fischer, Ashley; Mathilda, now Mrs. John Albrecht, Ashley; Andrew, living on farm, southwest of Ashley; Emma, now Mrs. John Fischer, Ashley; August, Karl and Edward, living on farms near Ashley. One of the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Schauer, Andrew by name served in the World War and was honorably discharged.

Mr. and Mrs. Schauer are members of the Baptist Church and are: Magdalena, now Mrs. Gruenich, Underwood, N. D.; November, 1932, they retired and moved to Ashley. Mr. Schauer passed away on April 29 th , 1933. His widow resides in Ashley.

A familiar figure formerly seen an the streets of Ashley was Johann Schmidt, Jr., son of Johann Schmidt, Sr., a fellow townsman. He was born at Borodino, Bessarabia, South Russia, on February 26, 1885.

In March 1894, he and his parents with other members of the family left their home in Russia on their way to Leipzig and from there on their way to America. They had been told by relatives already living in McIntosh County that this was the paradise, that the government was giving away land to the heads of families.

Arriving at Ellendale in May, 1894, they persuaded someone to take them to the John Bendewald farm about nine miles northeast of Ashley where they spent the summer working and building living quarters.

Mr. Schmidt lived with his parents working and helping until he was twenty-two years old when he acquired land of his own and was married to Rosina Maertz on February 21, 1907, by Rev. A. G. Winninger, Lutheran Pastor in Jacobus Church southwest of Ashley. Mrs. Schmidt was born January 14, 1886, the daughter of Thomas and Carolina Maertz. To this union two children were born, Gottlieb Rudolf, born January 17, 1908, and Christiana, born June 27, 1909, both living and married. On November 30, 1912, Mrs. Schmidt passed to the Great Beyond.

On February 6, 1913, Mr. Schmidt was again wed, this time to Carolina Maertz, a sister of his first wife, she was born November 3, 1895. They were married in the same church by Rev. C. H. W. Schulz, and to this union were born nine children, namely, Otto, born January 17, 1917; Reinhold, born February 26, 1919, now serving in the U. S. Navy at Bremerton, Washington; Paulina, born April 30, 1923; Anna, born June 17, 1924; Pearl Emma, born August 2, 1925; Ella Lorrine, born November 10, 1926; Alma Villet, born October 12, 1928; Theodore, born October 31, 1930; Emilie Elsa, born February 28, 1933. All the family are living at home three miles south of Sidney, Montana, except Reinhold and the two married children.

Mr. Schmidt spent his early days in McIntosh County on a farm. In 1919 he moved to Ashley and engaged in the grain business until 1927, when he disposed of his belongings here and moved to Montana, where he now has an irrigation farm. During 1923 and 1924 Mr. Schmidt served as a member of the Town Board of Ashley.

Johann Schmidt, Sr., was born February 25, 1863, in Borodino, South Russia. He was married to Margaretha Bendewald by Rev. Peters.

After several years farming in Russia, Mr. Schmidt decided it was impossible to acquire a home of their own if they remained in Russia, and after receiving glowing accounts from John Bendewald, a brother of Mrs. Schmidt, already living in McIntosh County, who told them that in America they would be happy, that the government was giving every head of a family land free of charge, the Schmidt family sold their belongings and in March 1894, started for the land of promise. In the party leaving the old home, were Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt and four children. At Leipzig they were joined by ten other families all headed for America. The journey. which lasted thirty days, was not without incident, on the third day on board ship a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt.

May 1894 found the family at Ellendale, and before long, Mr. Schmidt found a farmer who would haul them to the John Bendewald farm. Mr. Schmidt’s first impressions of the country were not very good and after he had worked hard and put in long hours trying to clear some land of rocks, the results could hardly be seen. All this tended to make him more and more dissatisfied with the country and if he would have had the necessary money he would have taken his family and returned to his fatherland, but the family wealth consisted of two oxen and a cow, with no income in sight, the flour which had been bought with the last money, would be gone in a few days. Credit---Red Cross and relief were not known at that time.

With such discouraged feelings Mr. Schmidt carried on, built himself a home on land he had filed on in section 7, township 130, range 68. Mr. Bendewald gave him 40 bushels of wheat in payment of work Mr. Schmidt had done for him, and toward the end of October he started for Ellendale with the wheat to exchange for flour and other necessities. About half way to Ellendale they stopped for lunch and when they wanted to continue found that one of the oxen had injured his foot slightly. After bandaging the injured foot with an empty sack they proceeded and were able to reach their destination. The return trip was begun a bit discouragingly on account of the condition of the oxen’s foot, but after again bandaging the foot he left Ellendale at about 3 o’clock P. M. The evening and night were cold and Mr. Schmidt walked ahead of the team in order to keep warm, every half hour the bandage had to be changed. At dawn they had traveled about half way and after breakfast at the home of John Kosel proceeded. Suddenly he was surprised to see bare black hills before him a prairie fire had swept over the country the first night he was away from home. It had started about 30 miles north of his home. Some people lost cattle and feed. Even though he had a fire break around his place, Mr. Schmidt became alarmed and worried. At five that evening he reached home to find that the fire had left his yard untouched.

Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt raised a family of nine children, namely: Johann Schmidt, Jr.; Christina, married to August Raile; Kate, married to Emanuel C. Schock; Maggie, wife of Christian Reuther; Godfrey, Rudolph, Jacob, and Edward; and Emilie, wife of Karl Kramer.

Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt after several successful years on the farm retired and moved to Ashley where they still reside.

Among other earlier pioneers settling in McIntosh County is Peter P. Schnabel, the son of Peter Schnabel and Elizabeth Schnabel---nee Hausauer.

Mr. Schnabel was born in Glueckstal, South Russia, on November 17, 1869. He together with his parents and others left their native land for America. Arriving at Eureka, South Dakota, oxen were purchased and the family set forth to find their new home. The father took up land about eleven miles north west of Venturia in Section 23, Township 130, Range 72. This was in May 1889 and far several years Mr. Schnabel assisted his parents in trying to make a living. The Schnabel family was not blessed with very much in the way of worldly goods and the oxen and other equipment owned by them were purchased on time. Mr. Schnabel tells of no early day hardships except that it was very hard to make ends meet, crops were poor and work was hard to find.

On March 15, 1897, at Ashley, North Dakota, Mr. Schnabel was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Sattler by County Judge, Christian Becker and to this union six children were born, namely: Ella, born December 15, 1897, the wife of Jacob Ernst, living in Venturia; Jacob P. Schnabel, born May 14, 1899, a farmer living near Venturia; Theresa, born December 18, 1901, married to Emil T. Schrenk, Ashley, North Dakota; Arthur, born December 10, 1903, died in the fall of 1934: Ray Schnabel, born October 10, 1906, a farmer living near Venturia;

Margaret, born September 5, 1910, the wife of Art Strobel, a farmer living near Venturia, North Dakota.

After several years spent an his farm, Mr. Schnabel retired and moved to Venturia where he now lives. He is a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. Schnabel has during the time he lived in Venturia been a Trustee of the Village for seven years, he has also been an officer on the School Board for sixteen years.

Mr. and Mrs. Christian Schock came as early pioneers to this section of the county in 1884. Both Mr. Schock and his wife Christina, born Eisman, were natives of Bergdorf, South Russia, where they were married in 1881.

This young couple decided to join the throng of German Russian immigration and come to America, hoping to find opportunities and advantages for themselves and their children. They came directly to McIntosh County and filed on land in Jewell Township about ten miles southeast of Ashley. All they brought with them from the old country was their bedding and clothing.

Their resources were very low but it did not bother them as they were more concerned about getting a sod house and barn built; tilling the soil, planting, reaping and harvesting the crop. Neighbors, few though they were, came to their assistance and lent a helping hand. The first years were very lean ones and never to be forgotten. They did not have a cow and with the crop failures they did not have the money to buy one. Credit was unknown in the early days. They gathered buffalo bones and either sold or exchanged them for groceries. This was their only means of subsistence for a year or so.

Ellendale was their nearest town, a distance of thirty-five miles. Three of four trips were made there a year. It took from three to five days to make a trip as traveling by oxen was most tedious and slow. There were no roads, fences, telephone lines or section lines to follow, so they drove across the prairie, many times becoming lost.

The farm equipment consisted of a plow and a mower. The seed was sown by hand, cut with a scythe or the mower. It was left on the ground to dry and then threshed by hand. After a few years conditions improved, and they bought more and better farm implements. They acquired mare land and were able to save enough to retire and enjoy the later years of their life.

Mr. and Mrs. Schock were members of the Baptist Church. In the early days, churches and schools were not organized but these people held their church services in the homes. On Sunday they would gather, some coming from quite a distance, either by oxen or on foot, to worship their Maker. Mr. Schock always took an active part in the church.

There were five children born to this couple. They are: Christian, living on the homestead southeast of Ashley; Lydia, now Mrs. Jacob Goehring, living southeast of Ashley; Christina now Mrs. B. Arlt, living southwest of Ashley; Katie, now Mrs. Zimmerman, living in Ashley and Adolph, living in Chicago, Ill.

In 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Schock retired from farm life and built a home in Ashley. Upon the completion of it, they moved to town where they enjoyed the later years of their life.

They had the pleasure and distinction of observing their Golden Anniversary. Friends, relatives and members of the church called and wished them many mare years of happiness.

Mr. Schock died in August, 1936, being 77 years of age. Since his death Mrs. Schock has made her home with her daughters and at the present time is living with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Goehring, who live southwest of Ashley.

Back in 1889, when the tide of immigration was at its crest many families decided to turn their backs on the "old country" and came to the new land of plenty. Friends and relatives wrote almost unbelievable tales of the opportunities which might be taken advantage of by any one who so desired.

A group of friends and neighbors in South Russia joined the throng crossing the Atlantic. Those in the party were the families of Immanual Schock, Gottlieb Rau, John Rau, Jacob Merkel, Christ Goehring, Sam Hoffman, Fred Hoffman, John Goehring, Mr. Flemmer and Mr. Lechner. Their destination was McIntosh County via Eureka, S. D.

The subject of this story is our townsman known as Immanual Schock, Sr. He came with his father and mother, Immanual and Elizabetha Schock (nee Wolf), and two brothers and two sisters, born in South Russia. The boy Immanual of whom we write was born December 19, 1867, in Marienberg, South Russia.

When the family arrived at Eureka, S. D., they were somewhat bewildered with all the things, which were different from their home land. They had little money, but spent it carefully, buying the articles they thought most necessary for their home on the prairie. George Wolf hauled them and their few belongings with a team of horses to McIntosh County. This being in November it was too late to build a house. They spent the winter with Heinrich Wolf, a brother of Mrs. Schock. When spring came a sod house was erected and farming carried on as best it could be. For about two and a half years Immanual lived at home. His services were not always needed there so he often worked for neighbors. When no work was to be found near home he journeyed out in search of it. In the fall of 1890, he walked to LaMoure and found labor at seventy-five cents a day. Work was hard to get and when one job was finished he walked on until he found another.

June 19, 1892, he was married to Elizabeth Dollinger. The service was in Jewell with the Rev. Zapp officiating. A new home was set up southeast of Ashley in a sod shanty. They had a breaker plow, a wagon, two oxen, and a couple of ponies. Household furnishings were very scarce. The beds were made of boards and no springs were to be had, but straw was placed in the ticks and provided a resting place when the days labor was over. Some bedding had been brought with them across the ocean. The first few years were years of toil and hardship but the reward came when a bountiful harvest was gleaned. A mower was added to the farm equipment and then the grain gathered by hand after mowing. Mr. Wolf had a threshing machine and helped them out after the harvesting was complete. Market prices were not very high. Cream was not sold then, but butter sometimes brought three or four cents a pound and eggs five or six cents a dozen.

Children came to bless the home and were brought up in the Lutheran faith as were Mr. and Mrs. Schock. Three children passed away in infancy. The living ones are Elizabeth, born April 1893, now the wife of Gottlieb Heinrich, Ashley;

John, born July, 1894, farming near Ashley; Carolina, born April, 1896, wife of Ernest Spiedel of McLaughlin, S. D.; Magdalina, born February, 1899, wife of August Goehring, Ashley; Emanuel, born January, 1902, now operating grocery and furniture business, Ashley; Gottlieb, born February, 1904, now operating hardware store, Ashley.

Mr. Schock was interested in civic affairs and served as a member of the school board at one time. His son Emanuel is now President of the Ashley School Board, and has served as Clerk of District Court, McIntosh County for two terms.

In the fall of 1907, Mrs. Schock became ill and passed away. Many lonely days followed for the father and his family of little children. In February, 1909, Mr. Schock was married to Mrs. Fredericka Opp Walz. The family continued their work on the farm until 1919, when they moved to Ashley. The following year Mr. Schock became associated with Joe Schulz in the implement business. In 1923, he established with others a hardware store which was later operated by Emanuel and Gottlieb. In 1937 Gottlieb bought out Emanuel and now operates the hardware store, Mr. Schock taking no active part in the work at the present writing.

In 1936 his wife passed away after a long illness. For a time he made his home with the children, but in May, 1937, he established his own home again with Mrs. Christina Rott as his wife. They now reside in Ashley.

Mr. Schock tells of an experience which he had in 1890. With his wife he had been visiting at Hosmer, S. D., with her brother. They drove in a buggy with a team of horses. At about 2 o’clock in the afternoon they left Eureka for home. There was no snow at Hosmer or Eureka, but as they traveled on they encountered much snow and a rising wind. Before long they realized they were wandering in the storm. They had no sense of direction and thus were making no progress. The horses finally came to a growth of thick high weeds which served as a sort of land mark. Taking direction from this spot the Christian Schock home was soon found and the night spent there. The journey on home the following day was none too easy as snow drifts were several feet high.

A native born pioneer of McIntosh County is our present County Commissioner of the Third District, Jacob P. Schrenk, son of Peter Schrenk, Jr.

Mr. Jacob P. Schrenk was born January 25, 1893, on his father’s farm five and one half miles southwest of Venturia, N. D., and has the distinction of being the first County Commissioner that was born and raised in McIntosh County. He was elected as commissioner at the general election held in November, 1936.

Mr. Schrenk grew to manhood on his father’s farm, and on December 9, 1913, was united in marriage to Christina Bender, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Bender. The marriage service was read by Rev. Schaffer. To this union were born three children, namely: Ephriam, born October 2, 1914, teacher in the public school Venturia, N. D.; Milton, born July 10, 1916, a student at the State Normal and Industrial School, Ellendale, N. D., and Viola Frieda, born September 25, 1917, manager of Schrenk Meat Market, Venturia, N. D.

After Mr. and Mrs. Schrenk were married they settled on a farm about six miles west of Venturia, remaining there until 1916, when they moved to Zeeland, and Mr. Schrenk was employed by Henne and Boschee in what was known as the "Farmers Store", later he was employed by Andrew Odenbacher in the "Leader Store". In 1918 they moved back to the farm where they remained until 1936. It was during the years of depression and poor crops that Mrs. Schrenk became a Rawleigh Dealer in Ashley, Wishek and Ellendale, and has continued as such up to the present time.

Mr. Schrenk prior to the time he become County Commissioner held other elected offices, having served as School Director of Berlin School District from 1926-1928. In 1931 he was elected Assessor for the Third Commissioners District and served for two terms. He was also Treasurer of McIntosh County Wheat Control Association for two and a half years.

Peter Schrenk, Jr., was born in South Russia, in 1869, and at the age of 19 years accompanied his parents, Peter and Margaretha Schrenk, Sr., to America. The family settled in McPherson County, S. D., where Mr. Schrenk grew to manhood. In 1892 he was united in marriage to Elizabetha Fischer, the ceremony being performed by Rev. A. Bencka, pastor of the Baptist Church.

After his marriage Mr. Schrenk filed on land about five and one half miles southwest of Venturia, N. D. His early start in life was handicapped by the lack of farm equipment and cash, but by hard work, perseverance and careful saving he was able to provide for his family.

In 1930 Mrs. Schrenk was called to the Great Beyond, and in 1931 Mr. Schrenk retired, leaving the farm and moving to Venturia, N. D., where he now resides. After the death of his wife, Mr. Schrenk was married to Mrs. Rosina Grenz, a sister of his first wife.

Margaretha Schrenk, mother of Peter Schrenk, Jr., now 92 years of age lives at Venturia, N. D.

To Mr. Schrenk and his first wife were born eight children, all now living, as follows: Jacob P. Schrenk, present County Commissioner, Venturia, N. D.;

Magdalena, wife of Theodore Dockter, and Rose, wife of John Krein, both living at Trail City, S. D.; Richard, living at Venturia, N. D.; Helen, living in California; Eranstina, living at Mound City, S. D.; Ernest, living on the homestead five and a half miles southwest of Venturia, and Martha Quensert, living at Mound City, S. D.

Before there was any Ashley, even before there was any Eureka, a family by the name of Schulz settled somewhere between the present sites of these two towns. The father, Jacob Schulz with his wife Katie---nee Folk---and children sought a new home in a new country. Their former home was in South Russia and they had been told of a wonderful land across the sea where crops were abundant and land was free to all who would ask for it. They had not been told of the deep snows and driving winds of winter, of the scorching sun in summer, or the long distances between the homes of friends and neighbors. But they found out all these things for themselves. In their little sod house, burning hay for fuel, eating sparingly that the food might last longer, many were the times when they wished they had not ventured forth from their fatherland. There at least they had neighbors and a church close by. Here neighbors were miles away and churches few and far between. The closest town when they first came was sixty miles distant. What courage and fortitude these pioneers must have possessed.

One of their sons was Joseph Schulz, then a boy of 17. He was born in Bessarabia, South Russia, October 15, 1868. For a few years after their arrival in America Joseph stayed at home and assisted his father on the homestead. Later he married Juliana Renschler and they established their own home and raised a fine family of children, namely: Emile, wife of John Flaig, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Rose, wife of Fred Bietz; Martha, wife of Wm. Nagel;

Esther, wife of Thomas Holmes; Enoch, the latter four all living in Sacramento, California, and Henry, who is an implement dealer in Ashley. Six children passed away in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Schulz and their children worked hard on their farm. At first a hand plow, a home made harrow and a wagon were their farm equipment. They also owned a couple horses, four oxen and two cows. With butter at 3c per pound, beef 1 1/2c per pound and grain prices very low one can hardly understand how they could make a living and buy new machinery and house furnishings as the years went by. But they kept working and were successful.

In 1914, Mr. Schulz decided to give up farm life and conducted a general store in Danzig for two years. He then sold out and moved to Ashley where he and his wife reside at the present writing. Much of his time thru the next few years was spent as a successful cattle buyer and shipper. His mother passed away in 1909 and his father, who had moved to California in 1914 passed on in 1928.

Mr. Schulz is a public spirited citizen and ever ready to assist with any project for the advancement of Ashley. He served as member of the city council, being alderman in the first ward. His son Henry is following in his father’s footsteps and stands ready for civic work at any time. He has served the city as Mayor.

Among the many immigrants from Beresina, South Russia, who settled in or near Ashley, was Friedrich Skaley, his wife, Karolina, born Montai, and their children. Mr. Skaley was born on November 26 th , 1847, being 38 years of age when he came to this country.

Arriving in the United States, the Skaleys came direct to McIntosh County, reaching here on the 20 th day of May, 1885. They came as far as Ellendale by rail and it being the end of the railroad, they finished the trip by team. They brought their clothing, bedding, cow, hand plow, mower and rake and with these meager implements, they started to farm. Their house and barn were built of sod, lumber being hauled from Ellendale for the window frames and door. The stove or oven was made of clay and stones, and hay, weeds and chips were used as fuel. It was stoked in the morning and evening and kept the home very comfortable.

Crop conditions were poor the first three years and prices were low. Wheat sold for 40 cents per bushel, butter and eggs had no value, and if taken to town to sell, would probably have to be taken home again. The children picked buffalo bones which were hauled to Ellendale and exchanged for flour and other necessities. This was their only means of subsistence for a couple of years. The trips to Ellendale were long and hard, taking three or four days. Many times blizzards overtook their father while enroute, slowing the pace and adding another hardship to his experience. These people braved the weather conditions and with the coming of spring, they were high in spirit and hopes of a good crop. Soon things took a turn for the better, craps produced a good yield and conditions were an the uphill.

Mr. and Mrs. Skaley were the parents of seven children, namely: Friedrich, Gottlieb, Jacob, Mathias, Susanna, Maria and Gustave. They are members of the Lutheran Church.

Jakob Spitzer, the son of Johannes and Elizabetha Spitzer, was born in Bergdorf, South Russia, on March 24, 1874, and at the age of 15 emigrated with his parents to America, their destination being Eureka, S. D., where they arrived on October 6, 1889. They stayed at Eureka until the following spring, when Mr. Spitzer’s father filed on land near what is known as Long Lake, S. D. Here Mr. Spitzer remained with his parents helping them with the farm work until 1895, when he filed on land about 7 miles northwest of Ashley in Section 20, Township 130, Range 70.

On February 16, 1896, Mr. Spitzer was united in marriage to Mary Nitschke by Rev. A. Moriess of the Lutheran Church.

The early hardships of the Jakob Spitzer family are best related in the words of Mr. Spitzer. He says, "After my marriage I moved on my own place. I had about 10 acres under cultivation and was assisted in the building of my house by my father and brother. Like all the houses of those days it was constructed of sod with no door or window frames. A primitive home to take a young bride, but we were proud of it because it was our own. My father gave me 3 horses, a wagon, an old plow, a disc and enough food to last us for about a month. When we moved on the place we were hoping that my uncle, who had filed on land nearby would still be there. We thought he could lend us the necessary kitchen utensils so that we could prepare our meals. Imagine our consternation! When we arrived the good uncle had moved away. What should we do now? We could not take our car and drive back to Long Lake to my parents for the simple reason that there were no cars. We could not take the horses and drive back because they were too poor and tired to make that trip again. We remembered that a certain Mr. Wilbert was living about a mile west from our place. That good neighbor helped us in our predicament, even so far as to hitch up his own team and haul all the utensils we needed over to our shanty on which trip he had to cross a creek running about 5 feet high. An old stove and kettle which was standing in some corner came in very handy. Mrs. Spitzer cleaned the kettle and then cooked our first supper in it. The evening shadows were falling and darkness was creeping slowly in on us. There was no bed on which we could rest during the night, however, a way had to be found. There was some dry hay; I gathered a couple of arms full, spread it out in a corner of the new home, an old dog skin coat came in very well as a cover. On this hay and under the dog skin coat we spent our first night in our own home. After darkness had fallen we noticed that we were missing something else; we did not have a lamp. Again we had to be inventive. My wife looked for and actually found a piece of broken crockery, put some lard in it, stuck a piece of cloth in the lard and we had a lamp, not quite as bright as our present day electric lights but it served the purpose.

During the night a funny creeping feeling, which as time went on became very annoying, woke me up. I called my wife to light the lamp and look into my ear. She noticed a piece of hay, but with the primitive tool of surgery, which was a hairpin, she could not get it out. I stood this misery and noise, which at times would sound as loud as a threshing machine in my ear, for a number of days. Finally I went to Ashley to seek medical aid. I stopped at the store of Martin Erbele and after he had heard my complaint advised me not to go to a doctor, because he would charge me at least a dollar, but that he would take it out himself without any charge. He took a small plier and after a little while he pulled the disturber of my peace out of the ear.

These are the experiences of the first few days of my married life on my own homestead. The first 3 years were very difficult. I hardly harvested seed, but we were never discouraged. We took things as they came, hoping that some day it would be better. We had to endure many hardships, we had to undergo trials and privations, but now have the satisfaction of looking back to those pioneer days."

Mr. Spitzer farmed until 1902 when he moved to Ashley and opened up a woodworking shop which he operated until 1904, when he engaged in general merchandise business in Ashley, later branching out until he has branches in Merricourt and Berlin. Mr. Spitzer is actively engaged in business at Ashley assisted by his sons Edwin and Emil and his daughter Esther.

During the time Mr. Spitzer has lived in Ashley he has served as alderman on the Town Board.

Mr. and Mrs. Spitzer are the parents of 12 children, all living, namely:

Rosina, (now the wife of Jake Straud), born November 30, 1896, and living at Kulm, N. D.; Emma, the wife of Reinhold Humel, born December 14, 1898, and living at Lehr, N. D.; John, married to Bertha Sprattler, was born August 3, 1900, and lives at Merricourt, N. D.; Adolph, born July 3, 1902, married to Beatrice Van Dermis, and now living at Berlin, N. D.; Lydia, born December 12, 1904, married to Fred Gebhart, and living at Merricourt, N. D.; Elsie, wife of Albert Hiller, was born June 15, 1905; Edwin, born Jan. 30, 1907, married to Elsie Werre, living at Ashley; Lilly, born October 17, 1908, married to Robert McGogy, living at Ashley; Emil, born August 4, 1910, married to Ella Stube, living at Ashley; Oscar, born May 2, 1913, married to Leverne Westegard, and living at Kulm, N. D.,; Esther, born March 9, 1915, living at Ashley, N. D., and Vivian, born April 18, 1919, living at Ashley.

One of the oldest, if not the oldest, living pioneer of those who came to McIntosh County in the early eighties is Mr. Frederick Strobel. He was born in Gluckstal, South Russia, on October 3, 1850. He was married to Caroline Rempfer before leaving Russia.

Mr. and Mrs. Strobel, with three children, Katherina, Friedrick, Jr., and Carolina, with John George Rempfer, Mrs. Strobel’s father; a brother, George Rempfer and family and a sister Katherina Rempfer, left their native land in 1884, stopping first at Scotland, S. D., for the winter. The next spring he and others started looking for a location and went by rail to Ipswich, from there they started overland northwest. After finding what suited him he returned to Scotland for his family. Household goods and other belongings were loaded in box cars and transported as far as Ipswich, here Mr. Strobel purchased an ox team costing $120.00, a wagon for $70.00, a breaking plow for $18.00, and a cow far $37.00, some seed, a stove and other things for the house and finding that he had only $17.00 left of the $600.00 he started with. He bought food stuff with the balance. Starting out from Ipswich he landed in McIntosh County and settled on the North Half of Section 10, Township 129, Range 72.

The usual sod buildings were erected, a small tract of land was broken and seeded to flax which produced 20 bushels which Mr. Strobel sold for $ 1.00 a bushel.

The Strobel family had their share of early day hardships, among them being the terrible blizzards in winter and the terrifying and destructive prairie fires in the summer.

Mr. and Mrs. Strobel were the parents of nine children, namely: Mrs. Henry Bieber, who passed away about 3 years ago; Frederick Strobel Jr., row living in Venturia, N. D.; Mrs. William Dohn, now living at Fort Peck, Montana; Mrs. Henry Hagel, living at Venturia, N. D.; Mrs. Emanuel Vossler, Wishek, N. D.; Mrs. William Roemmich, Vido, Montana; Gustave G. Strobel, Venturia, N. D.; Mrs. Adam Roemmich, Vido, Montana, and Arthur G. Strobel, Venturia, N. D.

Mrs. Strobel passed away last year. Mr. Strobel a member of the Baptist church is still living on the home place.

In the year of 1885, Gottlieb Strobel and his wife, Fredericka, born Motz, joined a group of immigrants and came to America to take advantage of the opportunities being offered in this country. Mr. Strobel was born on December 28 th , 1851, and Mrs. Strobel on December 3 rd , 1856 in Beresina, South Russia. From New York they went to Scotland, then in Dakota Territory and were met by Johannes Schmidt, who took them to his home and cared for them until Mr. Strobel found a place for his family.

Mr. Strobel had a little cash when he came to this country so purchased two horses, a set of harness and a wagon and decided to haul cream. He put a barrel in his wagon and went from farm to farm, measuring the cream, pouring it in the barrel and on to the next place. These trips he made three times a week. Between these trips, he did carpenter work and realized a neat little income for his labors.

In October, with their few possessions and their five small children tucked securely in the wagon, Mr. and Mrs. Strobel started for McIntosh County. They came as far as the farm of Mathias Dobler, where they stayed until March of the next year. Mr. Strobel filed on a pre-emption a mile from the Dobler farm and built a small shed an it. This house was 12 x 12, small and cold but the family lived in it until the next year. Mr. Strobel filed on a homestead and then built a good sod house. They built the stove of home made bricks, and served as a heater and a cook stove.

The winter of 1888 was an exceptional long and severe one and not to be forgotten by the pioneers of this country, including Mr. Strobel. He and his neighbor, John Sterr had to make a trip to Ellendale for food and clothing. Everything went well until the trip home. The first night, they spent at the home of a friend living about nine miles from Strobels. The next morning it was storming and the wind was from the west. They had gone but two miles when the sled broke. It was repaired but in the meantime the storm was raging and they could not face it so turned south. They were stuck a couple of times and shoveled out but the last time, the team was stuck and they were unable to do anything. Leaving the team and sled; they took a few of their purchases and started to walk. They walked far twenty-four hours and finally struck a hay stack and they knew they were at some farm. They were well taken care of at this house, given food and rest and thawed out. Their faces, feet and hand were badly frozen and later Mr. Strobel had to have four toes on one foot amputated as a result of this trip. The people who took care of them were Mr. and Mrs. Kaul and Mr. Kaul took them home when the storm had abated. They were gone a week and the folks at home had given up hopes of their return. Mr. Strobel was unable to walk or work for some time and the spring work fell to Mrs. Strobel and her oldest son, Fred, who was eleven years old. They put in the crop and took care of the farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Strobel were the parents of nine children, four of them dying in infancy. The names and addresses of the living children are: Salome, Mrs. Christian Wagner, Circle, Mont.; Fred, and Gottlieb, farming near Marsh, Mont.;

John Strobel in Montana, and Jacob, farming east of Ashley.

In 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Strobel moved to Montana where two of their sons were living. Here they lived until May, 1925, when death took Mr. Strobel. Mrs. Strobel made her home with her son, Fred, but spent much of the time visiting the other children. She died in 1934, and was laid to rest beside her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Strobel were devout members of the Congregational Church.

© Tim Stowell 2001-2017