Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Schroder, John B ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 8:00 pm Author: History of Grundy County, 1914 Schroder, John B.-The earnest, steadfast, reliable German-Americans are numbered among the very best citizens of this county, and are ever to be found in the ranks of the substantial people of any community in which they may elect to reside, for they are hard-working and thrifty, and know how to invest their money profitably. One of these excellent types of what can be accomplished by a blending of Germany and America is John B. Schroder of Morris, at present a police magistrate. Mr. Schroder was born in Baden, Germany, March 23, 1831, son of Adam and Eva (Masinger) Schroder, both of whom died in Germany, the mother when John B. was only two years of age. When twenty years old, Mr. Schroder went into the German army, and served in a cavalry regiment for six years, a portion of the time as riding master. In 1854 at Havre, Mr. Schroder married Eliza Chulett, of Baden, Germany, and embarked from that port for America. During the voyage his young wife died, and he landed in New York City alone. From there he went to Chicago, where he was met by a brother, who resided at Elgin, Ill. Having learned the harnessmaking trade in his native land, Mr. Schroder was able to open a harness shop at Elgin, and conducted it for five years, when he sold, and afterward traveled throughout the West for a time and then located at Minooka, where he opened a harness and saddlery shop, and became an important man in the place. He served as constable and as town clerk, and in 1866 was elected sheriff of Grundy County, and held that important office continuously until 1890. During this period he brought many offenders to justice, and participated in one execution. Mr. Schroder was in Atchison County, Kas., for a year, buying and operating a farm during that time, and he also served as grain inspector at Chicago for another year. Finally disposing of his other interests, he came to Morris, and opened a harness shop. Almost immediately he was made a justice of the peace, and in 1892 was elected police magistrate, and still holds that office. In addition to his other interests, he owns four residences. In 1855, Mr. Schroder was married (second), at Elgin, Ill., to Josephine Fessler, born in Alsace, France, daughter of Ehlbon Fessler. The children born of this marriage were: John B., of San Francisco; Josephine, Mrs. John Francis of Peoria. Ill.; and Adelaide N., Mrs. William Gibbart of Morris. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Schroder is a Knight Templar, Mason, and takes a deep interest in his fraternal connection. He is a man of strict integrity, and his wise, conservative rulings are usually sustained by the higher courts, for, although not a lawyer, he has good knowledge of the law and assisted by keen insight into human nature and long experience, he is able to decide correctly with regard to the cases brought before him. page 898 Additional Comments: Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. Publishers; 1914 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/schroder992nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb