Dr. Adolph M. Scheel, 64 years old, one of the best known and oldest physicians in St. Clair County, died at his home on the Rock road, at Longfellow avenue, Belleville, shortly after noon Thursday.

His death occurred just six years after the death of his daughter, Mrs. Minnie Scheel Schuchardt, to the day and almost to the hour.

Dr. Scheel had been ill since last March. His ailment was due to heart trouble and he became bedfast on Thanksgiving day. From that day on dropsy developed and his lungs also became affected. He was unconscious when he passed away.

The death of the well-known physician was expected since last Sunday. On that day he began to sink rapidly, and it is considered remarkable that he lived until Thursday.

He was a close friend o Dr. F. C. Fairbrother, also one of the county's oldest physicians, who died Wednesday in East St. Louis.

Never Sent Out Bills.
Dr. Scheel was never, during his entire practice, known to have presented a bill or forwarded one through mail to any of his patients. On one occasion, Probate Judge Frank Perrin recalls, a bill was presented as a claim against an estate which was administered in the Probate Court. Judge Perrin later learned that the heirs to the estate prevailed upon Dr. Scheel until he issued a bill, and they themselves filed it in the Probate Court.

Dr. Scheel also was popular among the poor. He never refused treatment, no matter if he knew the person receiving it was not in a position to pay and never would pay for the services. He practiced medicine in Belleville 36 years and had an extensive practice.

Last Survivor of Class.
Dr. Scheel was the last survivor of the class of 1875 of the Washington University. Dr. Post of St. Louis, who died some time ago was a member, and Dr. Scheel attended the funeral, remarking that he was the only member of the class still alive.

Studied in Europe.
Dr. Scheel was born in Belleville, January 18, 1851, and was educated in the public schools. After graduating from the medical department of Washington University, St. Louis, he pursued his professional studies in the universities of Europe for four years.

On October 11, 1877, he was married to Elizabeth Voelker, also a native of Belleville. Four children were born; Frederick E. and Minnie M., both of whom are dead, and two who died in infancy.

The high standing of Dr. Scheel as a practitioner is attested to by his association with the American Medical Society, the American Academy of Medicine, the Southern Illinois Medical Society, the St. Clair County Medical Society and the Belleville Medical Society. Dr. Scheel was a Democrat. He was a member of the B. P. O. Elks.

Both Children Die in Prime.
Dr. Scheel's later years had been filled with sorrow because of the untimely end of both of his children while in the prime of their lives. His son, Frederick E., was shot and killed September 19, 1904, on the streets of St. Louis by a bullet fired during an election riot. Mr. Scheel, a law student in Washington University, was just leaving the law college, which then was located in the downtown district, when he stepped into range of a revolver duel.

Dr. Scheel's daughter, Minnie M., died six years ago. She was the wife of Carl Schuchardt, who has been residing with his father-in-law since. Besides his son-in-law and two grandchildren, Dr. Scheel leaves his wife.

Belleville News Democrat 12-16-1915