Biography - John Scheef
JOHN SCHEEF, who is one of the most substantial farmers in Prairie
Township, Shelby County, dates his residence in the county, from December,
1877. His thorough-going German characteristics of thrift, industry and
steadfastness have been a help not only to himself, but also to the
community where he has lived and labored for so many years, and these traits
are worthy of the study and emulation of the young, who are apt to be led
astray by the flash and brilliancy of less worthy but more showy qualities.
For this reason we are pleased to present a record of such a life as we have
here before us.
John Scheef was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, February 13, 1853, and
is a son of Henry and Dora Scheef, who brought up to man's and woman's
estate eighl children, five of whom came to the United States, while three
remained in their native land. The following is the record of the offspring
of this worthy couple: Anna, who married Henry Froham and resides in
Chicago; Amelia and Hannah, who remained in Germany; Fred and William who
reside in Chicago; John, our subject; Dora, who is still in the Fatherland
and Christian, who died in Chicago, leaving one child. It was in 1884 when
the parents of this family came to America and they have both now passed
away, the mother being called home while Chicago was the family residence,
and the father died in this county.
Our subject was a lad of sixteen when he came to this country and his first
home was in Chicago, where his brother Fred was living. He there worked as a
laborer, following various lines of business until he came to Shelby County
which was not until after the great Chicago fire, through the tragic
experiences of which he passed. After that tremendous disaster the young man
thought best to get out into the country, where there would he a better
opportunity for him to do well for himself, and leaving the city he came to
this county and for five years worked upon a tract of eighty acres which he
rented. Thrift and economy supplemented the untiring energy and zeal with
which he worked, and being now able to purchase the land upon which he had
been living, he decided to give the rest of his life to agricultural
pursuits. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land and upon it he
has erected good substantial farm buildings.
The union in marriage of two true hearts and two honest hands is an event
which deserves not only congratulation, but the most serious consideration
of the biographer, for it is the great event in the lives of those who are
thus united, telling upon their future more practically and efficiently than
it is possible for any other event to do. This important union which joined
our subject to Elizabeth Falk, took place December 5, 1875, the bride being
the daughter of John and Anna (Frank) Falk of whom more is told at length in
the sketch of their son, Mr. John W. Falk, of Herborn. Mrs. Scheef was born
in Germany, December 11, 1853. She is the happy mother of six children,
namely: Anna, born October 10, 1876; Maggie, January 29, 1879; John, January
24, 1881; Lena, March 21, 1883; Henry, September 27, 1887, and August,
October 18, 1889. The religious views of this family are in accordance with
the doctrines and practices of the Lutheran Church with which they are
connected and in it they are esteemed highly, as faithful helpers in the
vineyard of the Lord. The political preferences of Mr. Scheef have led him
to affiliate with the Democratic party, and he believes that in its
declarations is found the true wisdom of political economy. While residing
in Chicago, Mr. Scheef was for one year a partner in a grocery business, but
he did not continue long in this line of work as his training and his
preferences inclined him to a farmer's life.
Extracted 16 Feb 2019 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 617-618.
