Martin Schamel, a promising young farmer of Bois Brule Township, Perry Co., Mo., was born in Bollinger County in 1852.

His parents, Michael and Catherine (Shane) Schamel, were born, reared and married in Germany, and immigrated to America about 1842, settling near Sedgewickville, Bollinger Co., Mo. Here Michael Schamel entered land which he afterward improved and upon which he resided until his death in 1882, respected by all who knew him. His widow, now about seventy years of age, still resides on the old mansion farm.

They were the parents of five children: Nicholas, who married Lot Ruth, Michael, now the husband of Martha Dickinson,; Martin; John, who married Catherine Zahner, and Catherine, Mrs. Joseoph Underriner. Martin was educated in Bollinger County after which he came to Perry County and engaged in farming.

During his first year in the county he met Martha A. Layton, who became his wife in the autumn of 1883. She is a daughter of Leo Layton and a member of one of the oldest and best families in the county.

In the fall of 1886, Mr. Schamel purchased a nice farm on which he located and to the which he is still adding valuable improvements. Since coming to the county he has proved himself in every way worthy of the esteem of its citizens. Having a good education he was chosen school director in his district, and upon him the choice of teachers largely depends. He is also serving his fourth term as road supervisor and in March 1888 was elected treasurer of Sereno Farmers Alliance.

To him and wife has been born one child, a daughter, Julia A.

The Goodspeed Publishing Company compiled a series of histories of various counties in the U.S. in the late 19th century. The information in the History of Southeast Missouri, published in 1888, was provided by the contemporary residents of Perry County and her neighboring counties. The biographies are a valuable source of genealogical information, despite a few minor inaccuracies. We are glad to present the transcribed biographies here for anyone researching Perry County's history.