Imperial-San Diego County CA Archives Biographies.....Schaniel, Nicholas 1865 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 21, 2006, 7:02 pm Author: F. C. Farr (editor, 1918) NICHOLAS SCHANIEL.—One of the model ranches of Imperial County which shows by its appearance that an experienced and skillful agriculturist is carrying on the operations is that belonging to Nicholas Schaniel. He is one of the pioneers of this county, and he has displayed characteristics of energy and perseverance in overcoming many obstacles. He has been a resident of the county since 1901, and was born in Illinois, February 3, 1865, a son of Peter and Anna (Willcome) Schaniel. His father and mother were natives of Germany, both coming to America early in life. They were married in the United States. There were nine children born in the parents' family. Nicholas acquired his education in the country schools. Leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1888 he came to California and located in San Diego. Here he became associated with his brother, who was a contractor. The brothers formed a partnership and carried on contracting and building for twenty-five years. In 1901 Mr. Schaniel took up three hundred and twenty acres in Imperial County, which he improved. The Colorado flood of 1905 totally destroyed the place. His loss was estimated at eleven thousand dollars and four years' work. He abandoned the claim and traded San Diego property for his present eighty acres, which has been brought up to a high grade of cultivation. After the flood of 1905 Air. Schaniel planted cotton exclusively. During the flood Air. Schaniel walked the levees night and day and worked with a wheelbarrow repairing the banks. During this period as many as ten men would stop overnight with him, and Mr. Schaniel would take them across the river and they would walk to Calexico for supplies. Mr. Schaniel built the only ferryboat in his section, and it was large enough to take five head of horses across. The first crop put in by Mr. Schaniel was irrigated with water from New River. His brother, Peter, has a finely improved ranch near Brawley. Fraternally Mr. Schaniel is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and is a member of the Catholic church of El Centre lie leveled his eighty, planted all the trees and erected substantial buildings. Mr. Schaniel has unbounded faith in the Valley and is numbered among the substantial and respected citizens of his locality. Additional Comments: From: THE HISTORY OF IMPERIAL COUNTY CALIFORNIA EDITED BY F. C. FARR IN ONE VOLUME ILLUSTRATED Published by ELMS AND FRANKS BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1918 Printed by Taylor & Taylor, San Francisco File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/imperial/bios/schaniel615bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/ File size: 3.1 Kb