Barton County KS Archives Biographies.....Schneck, Paul Francis 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com November 13, 2005, 12:37 pm

Author: Great Bend Tribune

PAUL FRANCIS AND MELISSA ANN SCHNECK

THE subjects of this sketch, Paul Francis and Melissa Ann Schneck, were members
of the first party of emigrants to arrive on the townsite of Great Bend, and
they possibly erected the first house. This little frame structure is shown as
the "L" in the picture of their residence taken in 1871, and it first stood on a
lot in the town. It has, however, quite a history, as it has  made several
journeys between the village and their homestead before becoming a part of its
permanent structure. These first settlers suffered many hardships and were
persecuted continuously by bands of roving Indians, and those who attempted to
work the land on claims only a short distance from the town experienced great
fear. For this reason, Mr. Schneck for a long time kept a truck that conformed
to the size of his little shack, and the rumor of a massacre in another part of
Western Kansas often drove the family and their house on wheels back to the
settlement. The mules which brought this party from Illinois were the main
dependence of the family, and when not engaged breaking and cultivating the land
helped to haul the material to build the present court house, the old Southern
Hotel and the first Santa Fe depot. Mr. Schneck was lured by the game so
plentiful at that period and made his pleasure a source of profit by hunting
buffalo, deer, antelope, prairie chickens, etc., and selling the meat and pelts.
He often made trips extending over weeks, leaving his wife as the protector of
the home and little ones, and this she remembers as one of her greatest trials;
for it was during an absence of this kind that the death of little William
Francis occurred on January 4th, 1872. He was encased in a coffin made by a
willing carpenter and laid to rest by loving neighbors.

[photo] Early Home of Paul Francis and Melissa Ann Schneck

[photo] Present Home of Melissa Ann Schneck

   Paul Francis Schneck served during the civil war as a private in Co. H, 2nd
Illinois artillery. He died in Great Bend, Kansas, February 26th, 1911, and was
laid to rest in the cemetery at Great Bend by sorrowing but loving friends. He
was a noble comrade, faithful soldier and pathfinder and his good deeds redeem
his few faults.

[photo] Harvesting Scene  On  the Schneck Farm

   Melissa Ann Fowler Schneck was born October 27, 1842, on a canal boat on the
Millionville river, Ohio, and is the daughter of William and Mary Fowler of
Perryburg, Ohio. The father was a miller and owner of a canal boat, but both
parents died before Melissa was six years of age and she grew to womanhood in
the home of an aunt at Florence, Michigan.

On December 26,1866, at the age of twenty-two she married Paul Francis Schneck,
at Florence, Michigan. She is the mother of nine children, six of whom are
living: Mrs. James McDonald, six miles south of Stafford; Mrs. Lizzie Ruble,
Great Bend; Mrs. Rosa Belle Land, Great Bend; Frank Schnuek, farmer of near
Larned; Bertie Lotigee Schneck, farmer on home place and Miss Emma J. Schneck.
Early in 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Schneck left Michigan for Quincy, Illinois, where
they made their home for five years, or until August, 1871 when they came to the
newly located town of Great Bend. They came overland in a wagon drawn by mules,
and were accompanied by their three children, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis P. Frey and
Thompson Frey. The homestead located by them is four miles northwest of the
court house, is a part of their present well tilled farm, and is very fertile.



Additional Comments:
From:

Biographical History Of Barton County

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