Ventura County Biographies

Luther Skellenger

Submitted by Sandy Neder

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
Luther Skellenger, of Santa Paula, is a native of New Jersey, born in the town 
of Decker, Sussex County, March 20, 1825. He followed the contractor and 
builders' trade until in April, 1861, when President Lincoln made his first call 
for volunteers to put down the Rebellion, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 
First New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. At the expiration of six months he 
re-enlisted in Company C, Seventh New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and was 
detailed on recruiting service. He raised a company, of which he was elected 
First Lieutenant.
    When he returned for the service he bought a small flour-mill and was 
engaged in the milling business several years. Mr. Skellenger came to California 
in 1887, on account of his wife's health, and in San Buenaventura started a 
large furniture store. Mrs. Skellenger did not recover her health, and died soon 
after coming here. He sold his furniture store in 1889, and bought a ranch in 
Wheeler Canon, consisted of 800 acres, on which his son, Fred, is in charge. 
They removed to Santa Paula, where he bought property and built a home and 
furniture store. The business is under the first name of Skellenger Brothers. 
They are doing the principal business in their line of goods in the city. Mr. 
Skellenger has retired from active life, and his sons are conducting the ranch 
and store; the store is in charge of Walter H. Skellenger. They are enterprising 
men of high character.
    The ancestors of the family came from Amsterdam, Holland, and settled on 
Long Island. At one time most of the island was owned by the family, and some of 
it is still in the family, which was obtained in 1842. W. H. Skellenger's son, 
Frank Herbert, is the last of an unbroken line of eight generations, as follows: 
Jacob Skellenger was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1825, and came to America in 
1653. His son was Jacob (second); his son was Daniel, born on Long Island; his 
son was Daniel (second), and was also born on Long Island; his son, Elisha P., 
was born in Morris County, New Jersey, and was a shoemaker; he died in 1839, at 
seventy-two years of age; his son, Elisha, was born in Sussex County, New 
Jersey, November 24, 1800. He was the father of Luther, the subject of this 
sketch, who was the father of Walter H., the father of Herbert Frank. 
    Mr. Skellenger, our subject, is a member of the G. A. R. and of the I. O. O. 
F. In the East the family were Congregationalists; but in Santa Paula, as there 
is no church of that denomination, they have united with the Presbyterian 
Church. Walter H. is a member of the choir, and also superintendent of the 
Sunday-school. He is a member of the K. of p., the K. of H., the S. of V. and 
the I. O. F. Since the death of his wife Mr. Skellenger makes his home with his 
son in Santa Paula.
    Mr. Skellenger was married in 1847, to Miss Maria Vaness. They have had 
three children, all of whom are deceased. After six years of wedded life Mrs. 
Skellenger died, of consumption. In 1855 he was again married, to Miss Ada C. 
Kelsey, a native of New Jersey, born June 30, 1837, and daughter of J. B. 
Kelsey, also a native of New Jersey. They have four children, two boys and two 
girls, viz.: Walter H., born in Newark, New Jersey, May 31, 1856, and was 
married in 1879 to Miss Maggie A. Nichols, a native of New Jersey, born in 1860. 
They have three children: Frank H., born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1882, 
Luther J., born in Newark, in 1886, and Marion Ethel, born June 6, 1890, at 
Santa Paula, California. Fred, born October 17, 1859; Mary Ida, April 15, 1862, 
and Clara K., March 6, 1864.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS 
OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 310