Title
ADOLPH AND WILHELMINA SCHUHRKE
Creator
Mrs. Pearl Schuhrke Pfeiffer
Coverage
TOWNSHIP 139N RANGE 99W
Text
ADOLPH AND WILHELMINA SCHUHRKE
Adolph Schuhrke, Esquire, was born in Breslau, Germany in 1853 and came to America in 1867.
Wilhemina Solomon (Minnie) was born in Bramen, Germany in 1867, and came to America in 1881.
They were married in Chicago in 1881. Early in the spring of 1883 they settled on a homestead one and one-half miles west of Belfield, starting out with a few cows, horses, and mules, raised a garden and some feed crops which were threshed by flail.
After moving westward they learned that his former property was now in the fast growing Chicago Loop. His cabin, later preserved between two skyscrapers, was the property upon which the famous outlaw, John Dillinger, was killed.
A family of nine children were born to the Schuhrkes: Karl (died in infancy); Minnie, June 1, 1885; Kate Feb. 5, 1887; Fred, Nov. 6, 1888; Ann, Dec. 4, 1890; Adolph, Sept. 18, 1891; George, Jan. 3, 1895 and twins Dewey and Schley Nov. 8, 1901. The only surviving member, Schley resides in Belfield. All married, except Adolph who remained on the family farm.
In the severe winter of 1886, they lost most of their cattle which perished three deep in the storm area. Many times with a double barrel shotgun and homemade shells they sat in the cellar by a hole in the wall to watch for thieves which were rampant in the early days. Mr. Schuhrke had a large barn, a portion of which had been scraped out of the side of a hill, the roof was covered with logs, brush and prairie hay. One midnight awakened by a bright light, they discovered someone had set the barn on fire, destroying the harness, saddles, etc. along with the valuable livestock.
They never turned a transient away. Cowboys, tramps, Indians and Gypsies were given shelter and food; the Gypsies often cunningly helping themselves to extra rations. While Mr. Schuhrke was out on the range, his wife often carried a six-shooter for protection. Thieves killed the only milk cow the Schuhrkes had and depended upon for food, taking only the best meat. A kind neighbor, Joe Shepp, replaced the family cow.
Times were hard those days, especially for women. One day when Mrs. Schuhrke went after the cow, an enraged Hereford bull came at her. She used her apron to flag at him as she stepped backward until she reached the safety of the barn.
During the time of the Indian uprising they banked their house as high as possible in case of an attack. To alleviate the fears of the settlers, the government sent soldiers to quell the uprising.
Several miles from home, Mr. Schuhrke had a range camp where he camped out occasionally and welcomed other cattlemen to stop, eat and rest. It wasn’t uncommon to see a harmless bullsnake curled up in the frying pan.
Adolph Schuhrke Sr. also had a homestead in the Badlands across the Missouri River where later his sons Adolph Jr., George and Fred homesteaded nearby. They were not far from Theodore Roosevelt's ranch and many times while riding Adolph Sr. and Teddy met in friendly conversation.
In spite of what seemed like insurmountable hardships in a harsh new land, family ties remained strong and a large German Bible provided guidelines for endurance during North Dakota's growing pains. The descendants of this family remain proud of this heritage.
Minnie Schuhrke passed away at the age of 77 on Nov. 2, 1944; Adolph Schuhrke at the age of 93 yrs. On April 18, 1946.
By a granddaughter as related to me by the Schuhrke family.
Mrs. Pearl Schuhrke Pfeiffer
Adolph Schuhrke, Esquire, was born in Breslau, Germany in 1853 and came to America in 1867.
Wilhemina Solomon (Minnie) was born in Bramen, Germany in 1867, and came to America in 1881.
They were married in Chicago in 1881. Early in the spring of 1883 they settled on a homestead one and one-half miles west of Belfield, starting out with a few cows, horses, and mules, raised a garden and some feed crops which were threshed by flail.
After moving westward they learned that his former property was now in the fast growing Chicago Loop. His cabin, later preserved between two skyscrapers, was the property upon which the famous outlaw, John Dillinger, was killed.
A family of nine children were born to the Schuhrkes: Karl (died in infancy); Minnie, June 1, 1885; Kate Feb. 5, 1887; Fred, Nov. 6, 1888; Ann, Dec. 4, 1890; Adolph, Sept. 18, 1891; George, Jan. 3, 1895 and twins Dewey and Schley Nov. 8, 1901. The only surviving member, Schley resides in Belfield. All married, except Adolph who remained on the family farm.
In the severe winter of 1886, they lost most of their cattle which perished three deep in the storm area. Many times with a double barrel shotgun and homemade shells they sat in the cellar by a hole in the wall to watch for thieves which were rampant in the early days. Mr. Schuhrke had a large barn, a portion of which had been scraped out of the side of a hill, the roof was covered with logs, brush and prairie hay. One midnight awakened by a bright light, they discovered someone had set the barn on fire, destroying the harness, saddles, etc. along with the valuable livestock.
They never turned a transient away. Cowboys, tramps, Indians and Gypsies were given shelter and food; the Gypsies often cunningly helping themselves to extra rations. While Mr. Schuhrke was out on the range, his wife often carried a six-shooter for protection. Thieves killed the only milk cow the Schuhrkes had and depended upon for food, taking only the best meat. A kind neighbor, Joe Shepp, replaced the family cow.
Times were hard those days, especially for women. One day when Mrs. Schuhrke went after the cow, an enraged Hereford bull came at her. She used her apron to flag at him as she stepped backward until she reached the safety of the barn.
During the time of the Indian uprising they banked their house as high as possible in case of an attack. To alleviate the fears of the settlers, the government sent soldiers to quell the uprising.
Several miles from home, Mr. Schuhrke had a range camp where he camped out occasionally and welcomed other cattlemen to stop, eat and rest. It wasn’t uncommon to see a harmless bullsnake curled up in the frying pan.
Adolph Schuhrke Sr. also had a homestead in the Badlands across the Missouri River where later his sons Adolph Jr., George and Fred homesteaded nearby. They were not far from Theodore Roosevelt's ranch and many times while riding Adolph Sr. and Teddy met in friendly conversation.
In spite of what seemed like insurmountable hardships in a harsh new land, family ties remained strong and a large German Bible provided guidelines for endurance during North Dakota's growing pains. The descendants of this family remain proud of this heritage.
Minnie Schuhrke passed away at the age of 77 on Nov. 2, 1944; Adolph Schuhrke at the age of 93 yrs. On April 18, 1946.
By a granddaughter as related to me by the Schuhrke family.
Mrs. Pearl Schuhrke Pfeiffer