Arthur P. Schnell Biography


	This biography appears on pages 606-609 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ARTHUR P. SCHNELL. 

	Arthur P. Schnell, engaged in the practice of law at Sturgis, was 
horn in Yankton, South Dakota, January 16, 1882, a son of John and 
Katherine (Kepler) Schnell. The father was a native of Darmstadt, 
Hessen, Germany, born August 11, 1845, and when about eighteen years of 
age came to the new world, traveling by way of Chicago and Omaha to 
Yankton. There he conducted a barber shop and also became owner of a 
half section of land. He resided in Yankton until June, 1886, when he 
disposed of his holdings there and removed to Sturgis, where he 
continued in the same line of business. He is now- living retired. His 
wife, a native of Ashland, Pennsylvania, passed away in 1883. 

	Judge Schnell the third in a family of four children, attended 
the high school of Sturgis, the South Dakota State School of Mines at 
Rapid City and was graduated from Creighton University at Omaha in the 
class of 1906. In the meantime, however, he started upon his business 
career, being but fourteen years of age when he became a clerk in the 
hotel conducted by John Schollard at Sturgis, there remaining from 1896 
until he entered the School of Mines in 1899. He afterward went from 
Rapid City to Belle Fourche, where he became clerk in the hotel 
conducted by D. J. Arnold, spending a year in that connection and one 
year as a postoffice employee there. He then returned home and entered 
upon the study of law in the office of Wesley A. Stuart in the fall of 
1902, continuing there until July, 1903, when he was employed in 
operating the preliminary line on the Belle Fourche irrigation project 
for about four months. He then returned to Sturgis and was a law 
student in the office of Polk & McNinney until the fall of that year, 
after which he attended law school. Having completed his course, he 
made a trip to Shoshone, Wyoming, and then again returned to Sturgis. 
In 1907 he was called to the office of county auditor, which position 
he acceptably filled for four years, retiring from the office with a 
most creditable record. On the expiration of his term he began the 
practice of law, in which he has since continued. In 1911 he was 
elected to the office of county judge and remained upon the bench for a 
four years' term. In 1914 he was appointed city auditor of Sturgis for 
a term of two years and also served as city assessor in 1911. He has 
thus been very active in office, his ability leading to his selection 
again and again for positions of public honor and trust. He now devotes 
his entire time to his law practice and his official duties and his 
devotion to the interests of his clients is as proverbial as his 
loyalty to the public welfare in office. He is the owner of city 
property in Sturgis. 

	On the 12th of June, 1905, Mr. Schnell was united in marriage to 
Miss Fannie E. Williams, a native of Buena Vista county, Iowa, and a 
daughter of Willis P. and Emma J. (Winder) Williams, both of whom were 
natives of Ohio. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, held the 
office of postmaster at Alta, Iowa, for a number of years. In 1900 he 
took up his abode in Sturgis, South Dakota, becoming landowner and 
farmer of this state. His demise occurred in September, 1901, but his 
widow survives and makes her home in Sturgis. Mr. and Mrs. Schnell have 
three children, namely: John E., who was born November 21, 1907; Fred 
P., whose birth occurred on the 29th of January, 1909; and Willard A., 
whose natal day was June 12, 1911. 

	In his political views Judge Schnell has always been a stalwart 
democrat and upon the party ticket was elected to the office of state's 
attorney, assuming the duties of the position on the 1st of January, 
1915. His has been an active life and he deserves much credit for what 
he has accomplished since he started out independently at the early age 
of fourteen years and has since essentially formulated and determined 
his own character. He is today classed with the representative 
residents of Sturgis and is one whose course has reflected honor and 
credit upon the community that has honored him. His fraternal relations 
are with the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.