HENRY SCHELLING.- There are numerous fine farms in Ogle County which will compare favorably with any others in the state as regards production and also as to the improvements which have been made upon them. Many of these places are owned by men who have started out in the world with little more than an unlimited amount of energy and perseverance, and who have succeeded in an eminent degree in securing a comfortable home and competence. As a representative of this class of agriculturists, great pleasure is taken in presenting the name of the subject of this notice, who is living on section 26, Leaf River Township.
Mr. Schelling was born in Washington County, Maryland, December 16, 1837, a son of Joaquim and Francesca Catherine (Schafer) Shilling, who were born, reared and married in Germany. On coming to the new world they settled in Washington County, Maryland, where as a stonemason and plasterer the father carried on operations throughout his active business life. He died there in 1859, and his wife passed away some nine years previously. In their family were ten children, four sons and six daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, but one daughter is now deceased.
Henry Schelling grew to manhood in his native county, and in early life was provided with fair common school advantages. In the east he worked for his father as a plasterer and mason, but in 1859 came to Ogle County, Illinois, arriving on the 28th of February, and joining an elder brother, Andrew Schelling, who had located here about 1854. During the first two years spent here he worked as a farm hand. On the 12th of January, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Henan, also a native of Maryland, and a daughter of William Henan, a pioneer of Ogle County, where she was mostly reared. They began their domestic life upon rented land, which Mr. Schelling operated for six years, and then made his first purchase, consisting of a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of timber land. He at once began to clear and fence the land, and it was not long before he had transformed the wild tract into a well cultivated farm. Later he bought more land, and is now the owner of two good farms adjoining his other and aggregating four hundred and twenty-three acres, pleasantly situated in Leaf River township, only a half mile from the village of that name. He has recently purchased one additional tract of seventy acres. While opening up his farm he made his home for a number of years in a frame house, which had previously been erected thereon, but it has since been replaced by a large, neat and substantial residence, while two large barns, a granary, wind pump, water works, cribs, sheds, etc., have also been built, making it one of the best improved farms of the township.
Mr. and Mrs. Schelling are the parents of eleven children, namely: Frank and William Alfred, who are both married and are engaged in farming in Leaf River Township; Charles, who is married and assists in the operation of the home farm; Dallas, who is married and carries on farming near Waterloo, Iowa; Arthur, who is married and engaged in farming in Leaf River Township; Bert and John, both at home; Mary, wife of Homer Stanley, Irena, wife of Samuel Clevidence, a farmer near Polo, Ogle County; Lilly, who is engaged in teaching school and resides at home; and Jennie, also at home.
Mr. Schelling cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and continued to support the Republican party for some time, but believing the temperance question the most important issue before the people, he now gives his allegiance to the Prohibition party. He has never sought or desired public office, though he has acceptably served as highway commissioner and as a member of the school board in his district. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the United Brethren Church of Leaf River and enjoy the esteem and friendship of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. For almost forty years he has been a resident of the county, and during that time he has witnessed much of its growth and development and has given his support to every enterprise for its advancement, being one of its most public spirited and progressive citizens.