Notes:

Biography of Andrew Schiffli, pages 808/809/810. History
of DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.,
Indianapolis, 1914.



DeKalb county, Indiana, is characterized by her full share
of enterprising and progressive farmers, who have been the
mainstay and backbone of the wonderful development which
has marked this section of the state during the past few
decades, and today among this class stands Andrew Schiffli,
whose finely improved and cultivated farm lies in
Smithfield township, where he enjoys a high standing among
his fellow citizens. Andrew Schiffli was born on January
25, 1874, in Alsace, Germany, which formerly, however,
belonged to France, and is one of nine children born to
John and Victoria (Hahn) Schiffli, both also natives of
Alsace, the father born in 1837 and the mother in 1844, the
latter being a daughter of George Hahn. John Schiffli and
Victoria Hahn were married in their native country, and in
1881 they and their children came to the United States, at
which time the subject of this sketch was but seven years
of age. Andrew well remembers a stormy day on shipboard
during their voyage when, because of the high waves which
broke over the ship, the passengers were not allowed on
deck. However, he disregarded orders and went out to the
end of the deck, where he ran great danger of being washed
overboard. He was found by a sailor, who gave him a liberal
spanking and sent him to the safer spot. Upon their arrival
in the United States, the Schiffli family came at once to
DeKalb county, where the father bought twenty acres of land
in the northern part of Smithfield township, about one-half
mile south of the county line. After remaining there four
years he sold that place and bought forty acres of land in
section 11, on which only about seven acres had been
cleared and on which was a big house. The greater part of
the land was covered with swamp water and brush, and so bad
was condition that the cows mired in the barn lot. In the
hope of improving the condition they moved the house, log
at a time, to a better location, and gave their attention
to the ditching and draining of the soil. At the beginning
it was necessary to go through water waist deep to get the
cows. Eventually by tireless effort, conditions were
improved, and when, about fifteen years ago, the big ditch
was put through their land, the soil rapidly became more
cultivable, and now the farm is one of the best in the
locality. From the time they came to this land until 1900,
it took about all the efforts of the family, including the
help given by the boys who worked in the shops, to pay off
eight hundred dollars owning on the purchase of the farm.
In 1900 Mr. Schiffli built a good bank barn; in 1902 a
splendid house, and in 1903, a hog house. They are now
prospering and reaping the result of their former years of
strenuous endeavor. The farm is well supplied with all the
implements necessary for intelligent labor and, under the
wise direction of Mr. Schiffli, the farm is one of the best
in the township. To John and Victoria Schiffli were born
nine children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Bapst, of
Garrett; Matthias, who owns ninety-two and one-half acres
in the eastern part of Smithfield township; Andrew, the
immediate subject of this sketch; Emil, who owns a farm
north of Barker?s church; August, who lives on the home
farm; Ada, the wife of Louis Steinkohl, of South Bend,
Indiana; Theresa, Mary and Louise, who are unmarried;
Theresa at home; Mary and Louise, residing at South Bend,
and one child a boy, who died in Alsace in early infancy.
The father of these children died in 1908, and his widow is
still residing on the home farm. Andrew Schiffli lived at
home until attaining his majority, having ably assisted his
father in the efforts to reclaim the farm and he secured
what education was possible in the district schools. After
arriving at legal age he started work on his own account in
the railroad shops at Garrett, where he remained nine years
and then during the following four years he engaged in farm
work by the month. After his marriage in 1908 he began
farming on the Taylor farm in Franklin township, but two
years later moved to the George Shoner farm in section 13,
Smithfield township, where he is now engaged in the
operation of one hundred and forty-three acres of land. His
early farming efforts under his father?s direction were
strenuous years, but they well qualified him for the later
duties of life, and now he is achieving a splendid success
under favorable conditions. He keeps his farm up-to-date in
all particulars, using none but the best of farming
implements, keeping high grade live stock and giving his
personal attention to every detail of the farm work.
Steady, industrious and exercising sound discretion in his
labors, he so maintains the fertility of the soil as to
realize abundant crops, and among his fellow agriculturists
he is held in esteem of the splendid success he has
achieved. In 1908 Mr. Schiffli married Katie Shoudel, the
daughter of Michael Shoudel, and to them have been born two
children, Agnes and Wilfred. Mr. and Mrs. Schiffli and
their children are members of the St. Michael?s Catholic
church, in the success of which they are interested and to
which they contribute of their means. Mr. Schiffli has
gained his success through his own efforts, is regarded as
a man of splendid character and is highly esteemed by all
who know him.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com

Andreas married Kathryn Shoudel on 16 Feb 1909 in DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. Kathryn (daughter of Michael L. Schaudel Shoudel and Johanna Reinig) was born on 17 Feb 1884 in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA; died on 12 Aug 1963 in Angola, Steuben County, Indiana, USA; was buried in Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Agnes married Arnold J. Lucke on 15 Jun 1932. Arnold was born on 29 Sep 1905 in Indiana, USA; died on 22 Jul 1982 in Ottawa, Putnam County, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wilfred married Lenora M. Warnecke on 9 May 1939 in Glandorf, Putnam County, Ohio, USA. Lenora was born on 13 Oct 1911 in Glandorf, Putnam County, Ohio, USA; died on 3 Dec 2011 in Auburn, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edward married Helen Lucille Balding on 9 Jun 1945 in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Julius married Viola M. Allen in 1968. Viola was born on 7 Aug 1919 in Steuben County, Indiana, USA; died on 1 Jul 2006 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA; was buried in Wright Cemetery, Hudson, Steuben County, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Conrad. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Langhals. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]