JOHN SCHELL

 

John Schell, a Sutter Township farmer, was born in Christiana, the capital of Norway, April 15, 1852, the son of John and Jennie Schell, in whose family were two sons and four daughters. Four of these came to America, namely: Jacob, who is now residing in this county; Carrie, residing in Jamestown, Dakota; Antonia, in St. Peters, Minnesota, and John, our subject. At the age of twenty years, in 1872, Mr. Schell, after having learned the trade of blacksmith, came to the United States, landing at Portland, Maine. He worked at his trade nearly three years in Chicago, and then came to California; stopped six months in San Francisco; then four years was engaged at his trade at New Hope, San Joaquin County, on the Mokelumne River, and since then has followed agricultural pursuits. Renting a piece of land near the same locality, he worked into farming and out of blacksmithing gradually. After raising eight crops there, in the fall of 1883 he purchased his present place on the upper Stockton road, five miles from the Capitol building. The 230 acres he has here are devoted to fruit and grain. The orchard consists principally of peaches. The vines are mostly of wine grapes. Half the peach-trees are bearing, and all the vineyard. The residence is on a high knoll, giving a fine, commanding view of a large extent of country. Shade and ornamental trees are gracefully set around, among them a few orange and lemon trees. The soil is a reddish, sandy loam, peculiarly well adapted to fruit. Mr. Schell began in California with almost nothing, and the present comfortable home attests his industry, economy and good judgment. In San Joaquin County, his farm was among the tules, and the high waters caused him a loss of $5,000 one year and $3,000 another; and it is indeed wonderful how well he has succeeded in getting ahead. He used to raise a good deal of live-stock. He is a member of Industrial Lodge, No. 157, of Sacramento, I.O.O.F. He was married in 1872 to Laura Hansen, a native of Norway, who came to this country about the same time that he did.