Schisler, John bio

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Illustrated 1908, and the History of Fulton County, by Newton Bateman, LL.D. and Paul Selby, A.M., Edited by Jesse Hevlin, page 1089
John Schisler - Fulton County is indebted for some of its best citizenship to the descendants of the early Dutch settlers who have brought order and resource and splendid development to the State of Pa. From this Eastern community of settled conditions and ideals have journeyed many whose names stand for sterling worth in this community, and among them none are more typical than John Schisler, an arrival of 1853. Mr. Schisler owns a beautiful residence in Astoria, where he has lived in retirement since 1893, and he also is the possessor of a tract of 260 acres in Woodland Township, which, in its splendid cultivation, represents the labor of practically his entire active life.
Mr. Schisler spent the first twenty years of his life in York County, Pa., where his parents were born in the Quaker State, and accompanied their son to Illinois in 1853. The elder Schisler was a hard-working, industrious man, and in Pa. accumulated a small property, which, however, he disposed of upon locating in Astoria. He was high minded and public spirited, and his straightforward manner and invariable sincerity won him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he was associated. He was a very devout man, and one of his largest activities was the German Baptist Church, of which he was a member from early youth until the end of his life. Into his family came ten children, eight of whom survive him.
After the death of Louis Schisler, in the fall of 1853, his son, John, assumed control of his business, and remained at home with his mother until his marriage in 1856 at the age of twenty-three. In 1850 they moved with her parents to Fulton County. Shortly after the ceremony the young people located on eighty acres of land in Woodland Township, and engaged in general farming and stock-raising until the death of Mrs. Schisler.
Mr. Schisler bought his present residence in Astoria in 1888. To his original farm he added until he owned 260 acres in one tract, well improved, and equipped with substantial residences and outbuildings. During the war he gained quite a start in an agricultural way, disposing of his wheat for $2.25 a bushel, and other products in proportion. The grain he hauled to Sharp's Landing, on the Illinois River, and thence it was taken in barges down to St. Louis. This farm has supplied the market with many head of fine cattle, high grade horses and Poland China hogs.
Mr. Schisler is a member of the German Baptist Church, and for many years has been active in promoting its religious, social and financial interests. In politics he is a Republican. The upright and public-spirited life of Mr. Schisler has attracted to him the confidence and esteem of the community, as well as the warm friendship of many whom, like himself, have developed with the forces within rather than without.
Note: John Benjamin Schisler was born on 12-4-1833, York County, Pennsylvania, and died 4-10-1912, and was buried in South Fulton Cemetery. submitted by Sara Hemp