Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Schroder, John B 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 5:27 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

John B. Schroder

No one in Grundy county has so long held the office of sheriff as John B. 
Schroder, which fact stands in unmistakable evidence of his capability and 
fidelity to duty. Utterly fearless in the discharge of the obligations 
devolving upon him, he performed every task readily and resolutely and his 
service won the highest commendation. It brought a sense of safety to the law-
abiding citizens and of terror to the law-breakers, and continually he was 
chosen for the office till his length of service exceeded that of any other 
incumbent.

Mr. Schroder is a native of Germany and manifests the marked characteristics 
of the Teutonic race, being persevering, intelligent and faithful in all 
things. He was born in Manheim, Laden, Germany, March 23, 1832. His parents, 
Adam and Eva (Mansengab) Schroder, spent their entire lives in the Fatherland, 
the latter dying at the age of forty years, the former at the age of eighty-
four years. By occupation he was a farmer and followed that pursuit in support 
of his family. His five children were Elizabeth, Margaret, Barbara, Nicholas 
and John B. Nicholas came to the United States in 1852, and now resides in 
Kansas.  

John B. Schroder was reared in Germany and acquired a good education in the 
common schools. For five years he served in the German army as a cavalryman, 
and for three years of that period was riding instructor. As a member of the 
military organization of the Fatherland he took part in many public 
celebrations. At length he determined to try his fortune in America, and in 
1855, bidding adieu to home and friends, he sailed for the New World, joining 
his brother in Elgin, Kane county, Illinois. There he opened a harness shop, 
having learned the trade in the land of his nativity.  In 1858 he and his 
brother went to Pike’s Peak in search of gold. He started with one thousand 
and five hundred dollars and returned with twenty dollars, so that the trip 
was not a very profitable one to him. He made the journey by way of Atchison, 
Kansas, whence he proceeded to his destination with an ox team and wagon.

Upon his return to Illinois in 1859, Mr. Schroder located in Grundy county, 
where he has since made his home. He took up his abode in Minooka, where he 
opened a harness shop, which he conducted until 1866.  During the war he 
served as deputy sheriff and constable, and in that capacity did much to aid 
the government to locate deserters. In 1866 he was elected county sheriff on 
the Republican ticket and served for two years.  The law forbidding a man to 
serve immediately a second term, he retired from office in 1868, but in 1870 
was again elected, and, the law having in the meantime been changed, was re-
elected for each successive term till 1880.  In that year he went to Kansas, 
where he purchased a large farm, but after running it for a year he sold it 
and returned to Illinois. For one year he remained in Chicago and then again 
came to Morris, where he conducted a harness shop for about two years. In 
1886, 1888, 1894 and 1896 he was again elected sheriff, thus holding the 
office altogether twenty years. His service was often dangerous but at no time 
did he shrink from the faithful discharge of his duty. On the 17th of October, 
1890, he hanged one James Maxwell for murder. In 1867 he went to Maine, where 
he secured a murderer, three years after the deed had been committed, spending 
forty days in locating the man in the Pine Tree state. This and many other 
occurrences brought him an excellent reputation, and people of all parties 
commended his efficiency and ability.

In 1858 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schroder and Miss Josephine 
Fessler, who was born in France. They have three children: John B., of San 
Francisco, California; Josephine, the wife of John H. Francis, Jr., of Peoria; 
and Adelheit, the wife of William Gebhardt, of Morris. The children were 
provided with excellent educational privileges, and the daughters are 
especially proficient in music, being fine vocalists. In his political 
affiliations Mr. Schroder has always been a stanch Republican. He belongs to 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and since 1866 has been a representative 
of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree. 
For forty years he has resided in Grundy county, and perhaps no man within its 
borders is more widely or favorably known. He well deserves mention in this 
volume, and with pleasure we present the record of his life to our readers.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p567-569


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