J. H. Skaer, a Butler county pioneer, now residing at Augusta, is a native of Illinois. He is a son of George and Caroline (Seibert) Skaer, natives of Germany. The Skaer family consisted of the following children: Henry, lives in Perry county, Illinois; William, Augusta: J. H., the subject of this sketch; Edward; Albert; Arthur; and Walter, all

residing at or near Augusta, and Mrs. Carrie McVay, Ingersoll, Okla., and James, Wichita, Kans., The father died in 1912, the mother having preceded him in death five years.

The Skaer family came to Butler county in 1877, and made their home in the town of Augusta about a year. The father bought a farm of 320 acres, four miles east of town, and later bought 640 acres, a mile east of Augusta. George Skaer, the father, was a pioneer in the truest sense of the word. In 1849 he joined the great host of fortune-seekers and went to California, making the trip across the plains and over the mountains. He walked the entire distance, and before reaching his destination his shoes became worn out, but he continued his journey and after months of hardship reached California with torn and bleeding feet. He remained on the coast for three years when he returned to Kansas by way of the Panama route.

J. H. Skaer has made farming the principal occupation of his life and has been unusually successful. When the Cherokee strip was opened up to settlement, he took a Government claim there which has developed into very valuable property and which he still owns. He has been active in the oil and gas development of the Augusta field, since that section of Butler county has begun to yield its underground treasure in such unlimited and profitable quantities, and altogether Mr. Skaer is one of Butler county's most progressive and prosperous citizens.

He was united in marriage, in 1902, to Miss Eva Marckley of Augusta, Kans., whose parents were pioneers of that section. To Mr. and Mrs. Skaer have been born three children as follows: Ray, a daughter, died October 1, 1907, and Myrle and Evlyn, residing at home. Mr. Skaer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Skaer family are well known and highly respected in Butler county.

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