Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Schell, Honorable Peter 
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Author: History of Bedford & Somerset Counties, Pa., Vol. I

Among the useful men of his day and generation was Hon. Peter Schell. He 
represented Bedford county in the state legislaute and was twice appointed 
associate judge. 

He was the second son of John Schell (2), and was born in Montgomery county, 
Pennsylvania, August 1, 1784. On May 1, 1800, he settled at Schellsburg, 
Bedford county, having come to that place with his father and mother and the 
family, consisting of eight children. He was about sixteen years of age at the 
time he came to Schellsburg. His early education was obtained at Phildelphia. 
On September 9, 1806, he was married to Eleanor Statler, by whom were born 
eleven children: 1, Elizabeth, died at the age of five years; 2, Maria 
Katharine, wife of Dr. Henry V. Bramwell, and died in 1861; 3, Samuel, died in 
infancy; 4, John S., a merchant, died at Schellsburg, 1890; 5, Charlotte, wife 
of Dr. William H. Watson; she died in 1860; 6, Ellen, wife of Colonel Michael 
C. Garber; 7, Ann Rebecca, wife of David M. Loy; 8, William P. Schell, of 
Bedford; 9, Abraham, E., a lieutenant in the Mexican war; 10, Elmira M, who 
married Colonel William P. Ankeney, who became a famous mill owner at 
Minneapolis, Minnesota; 11, Louis J., died in 1857. 

The father of this family and the subject of this memoir died October 28, 1862, 
aged seventy-eight years. His wife died March 26, 1859, aged seventy-one years. 
They are both buried in the cemetery at Schellsburg. 

Mr. Schell begain his career as a merchant in Schellsburg in 1810, and was 
there actively engaged for a number of years. He built the first brick house in 
the town. He had a natural inclination toward surveying land, and his knowledge 
in this line proved most useful in this county. He served as a worthy justice 
of the peace in his township many years. In 1822, he was elected to represent 
Bedford county in the state legislature. In 1827, he removed to Bedford 
borough, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for about ten years. April 
18, 1830, he was appointed associate judge of Bedford county, by Governor 
Wolfe, and in 1832 served as burgess of Bedford borough. In 1837, he returned 
to Schellsburg, where he resided on his farm during the remainder of his life. 
March 8, 1842, he was again commissioned associate judge by Governor Porter, 
for a five year term. His mercantile career extended over a long period at 
Schellsburg and Bedford. He always had a large farming interest as well as 
being a merchant. His father, John Schell; his eldest brother, John Schell, and 
he were the chief factors in building the Bedford and Stoystown turnpike 
through Bedford county, in 1814, it forming one of the links on the route 
between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. 

Mr. Schell early took an interest in temperance work, and was fearless and 
zealous in trying to suppress the drink habit. He was endowed with a judicial 
mind, and was ever thoughful and deliberate in his judgment. He never wronged 
or knowingly oppressed the weak; his nature was frank and open. He passed from 
earthly scenes in the golden month of October, the highest ype of a devout 
Christian and highly honored citizen. 


History of Bedford and Somerset Counties Pennsylvania with Genealogical and 
Personal Histories; Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by 
William H Welfley.
Under the Editorial Supervision of the Honorable William H Koontz; The Lewis 
Publishing Company, New York :: Chicago 1906.  Volume I; page 424


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