Hector Schiller and Donelda Sourdif Schiller


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Parents

Dophis Von Schiller/Josephine Goulet      Louis Sourdif/Denise Forget

 

Charles, Hector Schiller, Peter Dolphis,

Armeline (Loranger), Cecila (Belland), Donalda , Laura (Myerchin)

Children

Charles Schiller, Peter (Dolphis) Schiller

Armeline Schiller Loranger, Cecile Schiller Belland, Laura Schiller Myerchin

 

Hector Schiller, born April 11, 1861, in St Maurice, Champlain Quebec, Canada, and died December 23, 1932 in Arygle, MN.

Donalda Sourdif Schiller, born December 12, 1866, in St Ligouri, Quebec, and died August 23, 1945 in Argyle, MN

 

Children

Armeline Schiller, born 1/09/1894 in Argyle, MN

Albert Schiller, born 4/1/1995, died 1904 in Argyle, MN

Charles Schiller, born August 22, 1897 in Argyle, MN

Cecile Schiller, born January 17, 1899 in Argyle, MN; died April 19, 1983 in Thief River Falls.

Laura Schiller, born November 21, 1904; died July 27, 1970.

Leon Schiller, born August 23, 1906, died shortly after birth

Peter Schiller, born January 09, 1908, died ?

Notes for Albert Schiller:
Albert Schiller died at the age of 9 years of a ruptured appendix. The doctors performed the operation at home at the kitchen table, but the infection had already spread throughout his body.

Notes for Donalda Sourdif:
Donalda Sourdif had a fair complexion, greenish-blue eyes, brown hair, 5' tall, weighing about 180 pounds. She was ambitious, could read and write the French language learned at the convent in Canada, as well as education in English in the US. She was played the accordion, a lively dancer, good at drawing. She was shy, good natured, kind, generous, and loved to help those in need. She was a very good mother. She died of a heart attack.

....Cecile Schiller Belland

 

Hector Schiller Family-Early (Left to Right) Hector, Cecile, Laura, Donalda, Charles, Peter, Armeline

My father, Hector Schiller was the sixth child of Dolphis and Josephine Schiller, born on April 11, 1861, the day the Civil War was declared. He was married at the age of 31 on January 9, 1893 to Donalda Sourdiff. As I remember my father from early childhood, he was good looking, fine features, blue eyes, brown hair and very light skin. Was of medium structure, perhaps 5'7" or 5'8". Always neat, even in his work clothes. He was a well informed man. A great reader. Could read both French and English well. Had attention when he spoke and could talk with eloquence. Knew how to express his thoughts vividly, well and clear. Was virtuous in honesty. Could master anything he undertook. It had to be without defect or blemish. Perfection was his his goal. He was not meant to be a farmer. Perhaps a scientist or lawyer would have been more his profession. He could talk of people some day going to the Moon, and many other things that are now happening which were never heard of in those days. If his education had been more complete, he would have contributed great things to mankind.

He was a man quick to anger and spoke with a loud voice. Sometimes almost too quick to speak his mind. Could hurt one's feeling with cruel and sarcastic remarks but no sooner had he given way to his irritations he was sorry. He died in his 72nd year on December 23, 1932 of Cerebral Hemorrhage and to this day 65 descendants proceed.

My father and mother, Donalda Sourdiff, were married at High Noon on January 9, 1893 in the Catholic Church in Argyle, Minnesota. My father being 31 years of age and my mother 27. My mother's attire was a black corded taffeta dress, tight waist, pleated long ankle skirt with sequin trim, white plush hat with pink ostrich plume, black button shoes and dark plush coat. My father's attire was grey stripe trousers, black swallow tail coat, button-back white stiff front shirt with attached starched cuffs and collar and black bow tie. In the evening a reception was held at the farm home of the Grandparents, Dolphis and Josephine Schiller for a huge gather of relatives and friends. As is still customary, dancing, good food, wine and songs were the feature of the event. Mr Sanai Mayatte, now my Charles' father-in-law, provided music with the violin for entertainment. gifts were given to the bride and groom such as silverware, dishes and linens. To this day, 75 years later, I have a gift my mother Donalda received at her wedding; a glass cake stand which I have passed on to my eldest son, Mark and his wife Lillian. It is my wish that it will stay in the family. I want their oldest daughter Kathleen to be the recipient of this heirloom.

After my parent's marriage they lived with the Grandparents Schiller for 3 years. They then made arrangements to move into their own home; a farm owned by John Laramie, my father's brother-in-law scarcely 2 miles from the home of their Grandparents. The house was a 2 room dwelling with on bedroom upstairs and the kitchen, living room and one bedroom combined in one room downstairs. They had the essentials in furniture to maintain their home, although many items were hand-made such as tables, cupboards, shelves, wardrobe, etc. My father was quite handy with the saw and hammer. It was his ambition that his wife and family have a respectable home.

 

Hector Schiller Farm, about 1903 Notice the farmhouse and out-buildings, including the barn. Hector is running a "threshing operation". A steam tractor is located near the farmhouse and the threshing machine is creating a hay stack.

 

They were like the pioneers of that particular period of time, struggling, hard work and long hours to buy the necessary things to maintain their lives. Their farm produce sold cheap and there was not too much market for it. As things went on, everything got better. John Laramie, the owner of the land, built a new frame house of 5 rooms: two bedrooms upstairs and three rooms downstairs including a large kitchen with glass doors, built-in cupboards and a nice living room and 1 bedroom. Also a new barn and grainery. Things were on the prosperous side. My father had good horses, perhaps 10 or 12, good machinery, cows, pigs, etc. Our Family was one of the better secured in the community.

 

Hector Schiller plowing his field on his farm at Argyle, MN. His oldest son, Charles, may be leading the horse.


His horses and cattle contracted a deadly disease called swamp fever that the vet could not cure. The horses were dying as well as the cattle. New ones were bought to replace their loss but the expense was to great and eventually everything was lost. He had to leave the farm and home he had worked and lived for 15 years

By this time the family were quite grown up and it was resolved they should make their home on their own land (160 acres) which was not built up. A six room house was build as well as a barn and other buildings. As the money had dwindled almost to nothing, Dad (Hector) had to mortgage his land for a new start.

World War I was declared during that period of time. Things started to skyrocket in price. Wheat was selling for $2.50 per bushel, oats went as high as $2.25, and flax $10 to $12 per bushel. The people were prosperous. My father had a good foresight and sensed that prices could not stay so high. He sold his land for $16,000 in cash in the fall, and as he had foreseen, by spring prices had dropped down to half. This was the beginning of the depression of 1929.

Hector dancing with his daughter Armeline while Donalda looks on.

 

Hector Schiller FarmHouse in September ,1919 shortly before they moved from the farm. Donalda and Cecile are on the front porch.

After the farm was sold my parents, Laura, Peter and myself moved into the small village of Argyle, Minnesota where my father died several years later in 1932. My mother lived until the age of 79 and died on August 23, 1945.

My forefather were of Catholic origin and held fast to the teachings of their faith. consequently our parents too taught us the belief of their faith. We children were educated in religion and were taught the commandments of God and prayers, especially the creed. Devotion at Mass and never to omit the Holy Sacrifice and the Sacraments.

My father and mother were staunch believers of their faith. They saw it fit that their laws were enforced in our home. My father was chief in matters of religion and did not take excuses from the children in matters of duty to God. During Lent the Rosary was recited in a family group, and meat was omitted on days prescribed as it was customary in those times. Also a firm believer in paying his just dues to the church. As I was taught in my youth I too passed on religious beliefs to my seven children and gave them all a good Catholic education by the Benedictine Nuns. We as their parents felt it a matter of duty and conscience to teach our family reverence and obedience to God's Laws-to know and serve him.

...Cecile Schiller Belland, 1970

 

* ID: I329
* Name: Hector SCHILLER
* Sex: M
* Birth: 11 APR 1861
* Death: 23 DEC 1932
* Change Date: 7 JAN 2002

Father: Dolphis Von SCHILLER b: 11 MAY 1827 in Maskinonge, Quebec
Mother: Josephine GOULET b: 14 SEP 1829

Marriage 1 Donalda SOURDIFF

* Married: 9 JAN 1893
Children

1. Armeline SCHILLER b: 9 JAN 1894

Source: www.ancestry.com

 

SCHILLER FAMILY TREE.PDF of Dolphis and Josephine Schiller complied by Rosemary Schiller, Argyle , MN

 

"The Von Schillers" by Delores Schiller LaFond

Large New France Map 1610-1791.pdf

The 1666 Census of Montreal

Brief History of Montreal

Historic Dates for Quebec/Montreal

BENJAMIN SCHEILLER 1757-1835 Posted by Paul A. Plante, 3/31/2000

RIVARD dit Loranger Family Line

My Immigrant Ancestor-Benjamin Schiller
by Robert P. Schiller

Descendance de Thomas Goulet

"The Family Tree of Cecile Schiller Belland"

 

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