Schell Family - Pioneers of Missouri

Book excerpt: SCHELL FAMILY - PIONEERS OF MISSOURI - Descendants and Ancestors of Henry Schell and Elizabeth (Yocum) Schell. Henry Schell (1810-1863) and Elizabeth Yocum (1819-1900), were born in early Missouri Territory, married in 1835 and started a trading post at the base of a small hill or "knob" along the White River. The town of Shell Knob, Missouri grew from this early settlement and was named after them. About 1845 they moved further west, and built a mill and trading post along Big Sugar Creek in what is now McDonald County, Missouri. Henry and Elizabeth had twelve children that lived to adulthood. Their many descendants have spread across the United States and include many surnames. This family history helps the reader look beyond the names and dates and imagine their ancestors and their life experiences as they really were. This well-researched and documented family history traces the DESCENDANTS of Henry Schell and Elizabeth Yocum Schell, as well as providing the ANCESTORS of the Schell and Yocum families. The book is over 500 pages and includes more than 3,500 individuals. A name index assists with locating an individual or surname. Extensive source documents, such as probate, census, land records and patents, military records, church and family records, birth, marriage, death and obituary records, support this family history. A photo appendix includes many early day photos. The author, Gayle Foster, is a descendant of Henry Schell and Elizabeth (Yocum) Schell. As a child, she was fascinated by the family stories told by older family members. She recalls visiting the grave of Henry Schell at the old Schell home place in McDonald County, hearing the story of Henry Schell's murder during the Civil War by bushwhackers, and being fascinated by the legend of the Yocum Silver Dollars. These early experiences sparked her life-long interest in family and local history.