"An Illustrated History of the Big Bend Country; Embracing Lincoln, Douglas, 
Adams  and Franklin Counties; State of Washington". Spokane, Western Historical
Publishing  Company, Publishers, 1904. p. 850.

JACOB SCHOESSLER, a member of the Adams county board of county commissioners,
and a prominent farmer residing on a tract of eleven hundred and twenty acres of
land five miles northwest from Ritzville, was born March 18, 1855, at Seradow,
Russia, the son of Jacob and Katherine (Benner) Schoessler. The parents were
natives of Russia. Our subject came to America in 1876 in order to escape
military duty in the Russian army. The family came originally from Germany with
a colony with the understanding that the members thereof were forever to be
exempt from the Russian military law, but the promise made by the Russian
government was broken, hence their leaving the country. The parents both died in
Russia.
     Upon coming to the United States Mr. Schoessler located on a farm in
Nebraska, where he remained five years. he came to Adams county for the first
time in 1883, having spent the intervening time in the middle western states,
Oregon and Walla Walla. During his first trip to Adams county he merely  looked
over the land then returned to Walla Walla. In 1886 he came again, located his
present homestead, and the following year began to make it his permanent home.
For a number of years he saw hard times in plenty, but by his persistent and
well-directed efforts he succeeded in his business and from time to time
purchased more land until he now owns a tract in extent as stated above. All of
his land is well improved and well cultivated.
     In the year 1874 Mr. Schoessler was married to Elizabeth Walter, daughter
of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Butherus) Walter, of German lineage but of  Russian
birth. They came to America in 1892, remained one and one-half years then
returned to Russia, where both are now living. They are the parents of seven
children, George, Conrad, Jacob, Christian, Elizabeth, Mary M., and Lizzie.
     The brothers and sisters of Mr. Schoessler are as follows, John, Anna,
Elizabeth, Lena, Katherine, and Lizzie.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Schoessler have been born four children: Jacob, Adams
county; Henry and John, both also of the vicinity of Ritzville; and Katie, wife
of Fred Thiel, a prosperous Adams county farmer.
     Mr. Schoessler is a Democrat and takes an active interest in party affairs.
He was elected to his present office in 1901, and he has repeatedly held school
offices. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church.
     Mr. Schoessler has very recently completed a fine eight-room residence in
Ritzville, which is now the family home, instead of the farm, as heretofore.


Submitted by: Georgia Harter Williams, georgiahw@earthlink.net