BIOGRAPHIES:  Captain Philip SCHECKEL, Durand, Pepin Co., WI

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Submitted by Nance Sampson, Pepin Co. Archives File Manager on 19 November 2004
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**Posted for informational purposes only - submitter is not related to the
subject of this biography and has no further information.

Captain Philip Scheckel, steamboat captain, P. O. Durand, was born in
Luxemburg, Germany, November 15, 1837.  His parents were Michael and
Anna (Wagener) Scheckel.  He attended school until he was fourteen
years old.  In 1855 he came to America, and after stopping a few months
in Iowa came to Eau Galle and began rafting for Carson & Eaton.  Six
months later he began piloting and contracting for C. C. Washburn.  In
1862 he built the boat "Golden Star," which he sold the following year
to Capt. Herman, who rebuilt and named it the "Chippewa."  In 1864 our
subject entered the employment of the Knapp, Stout Lumber Company as
captain of the "Pete Wilson," which boat he ran until 1880, when the
"Phil Scheckel" was built.  December 25, 1866, Capt. Scheckel married
Maggie Brinicht, who bore him the following children:  Mary (Mrs. H.
Manore), Maggie (Mrs. L. Schroeder), Charles, Anna, Jessie, Ida and
Kate.  In 1869 he purchased a farm of 350 acres in Waubeek township,
where he has since resided.  The farm is devoted chiefly to raising
Durham cattle and Clydesdale horses, together with other stock.  Capt.
Scheckel is a democrat, and has served both as town and county
treasurer.  He is a member of the Roman Catholic church.  His long
experience and careful attention to business have made his services
indispensable to his employers.  No man on the Chippewa river
understands its navigation better than he, as the channel is obstructed
by numerous sand bars, which are constantly changing, great care is
necessary to successfully navigate the stream in low water.  The
business he is engaged in being the towing of lumber, the captain has
made several useful improvements in the methods employed.  Brush dams
have been constructed for the purpose of keeping the current clear. 
About 1861, with others, he began using the "jimmy-pole," which is very
useful in manipulating rafts.  He has also made a few trips on the
Mississippi river.

-Transcribed from the "Historical & Biographical Album of the Chippewa
Valley Wisconsin, 1891-2," pages 692-693.


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