Charles W. Scheller

CHARLES W. SCHELLER. - One of the most prominent real estate dealers in Kansas City, Kansas, and a citizen who has contributed in generous measure to all projects advanced for the well being of this section of the state, Charles W. Scheller is everywhere accorded the unalloyed confidence and esteem of his fellow men. He was born, in Oneida county, New York, on the 21st of January, 1856, and is a son of Carl and Magdalene (Heissel) Scheller, both of whom were born and reared in the great Empire of Germany and both of whom immigrated to the United States at an early age. The father was born in 1826 and he is now living, at the venerable age of eighty-five years, in Kansas City, Kansas. After a long and tedious voyage across the Atlantic ocean in a sailing ship Carl Scheller disembarked at New York city, where he was engaged for a short time at the work of his trade, that of cabinet maker. Later he removed to Oneida county, New York, and there he continued to be identified with the work of his trade until 1899, in which year he followed the tide of westward immigration and removed to Kansas City, whither his son, the subject of this review, had preceded him, in 1878. He is now living virtually retired from participation in active business affairs, and although he has reached an advanced age his mental and physical faculties remain practically unimpaired. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Magdalene Heissel, became the parents of two children: Charles W., the immediate subject of this sketch; and Harry, who is engaged at the city water department and who maintains his home at Kansas City Kansas. Mrs. Scheller was summoned to the life eternal in 1897, at seventy-two years of age.

After availing himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native place, Charles W. Scheller initiated his active career as a bootblack. In 1878 he severed the ties which bound him to home and responding to the call of the west he immigrated to Wyandotte county, Kansas, where he entered the employ of the great Armour Packing Company as a common laborer. Subsequently he was promoted to the position of timekeeper for that company and after eleven years of faithful service in that capacity he was placed in charge of the loading and packing of export meats. In connection with the latter position he was manager of the North house up to 1903, when he resigned from further service with the packing concern. For fully a quarter of a century Mr. Scheller was in the employ of the Armour company and that fact alone is ample evidence of his eminently satisfactory service. In 1903 he became interested in the real estate business, and he is now one of the most prominent men in that line of enterprise in Kansas City, Kansas. He is the owner of considerable valuable property himself and he has successfully engineered some of the biggest land deals ever transacted in this place. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the cause of the Republican party and he has been honored by his fellow citizens with election to membership in the city council, having served for two terms as an alderman from the Second ward.

At Kansas City, on the 25th of April, 1883, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Scheller to Miss Mary A. Lugibihl, who was born and reared in Wyandotte county, Kansas, and who is a daughter of Peter and Sabilla Lugibihl, both natives of Germany and both now deceased. Mrs. Scheller was the first born in a family of three daughters. The father came to America as a young man and he first engaged in the shoe business and later he conducted a general mercantile establishment at Kansas City. He was deeply and sincerely interested in community affairs and during the last ten years of his life he gave most efficient service as a member of the city board of alderman. He died in 1893 and his cherished and devoted wife passed away in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Scheller have two children, Karl P., who is an electrical engineer by profession and who resides in the city of Chicago, Illinois; and Edith, who is the wife of John S. Winters, of this city.

In a fraternal way Mr. Scheller is a valued and appreciative member of Wyandotte Lodge, No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Germania Lodge, No. 41, Knights of Pythias; and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Scheller is a man of fine mentality and broad human sympathy. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally accord him the highest esteem. His life has been exemplary in all respects and he has ever contributed generously to all charitable and benevolent institutions in this city.