Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Schroeder, John & Son ************************************************ 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 9, 2007, 12:26 am Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 JOHN SCHROEDER & SON. Among the flourishing business houses of Manhattan that which is conducted under the above style is by no means least. On the contrary, the Messrs. Schroeder are among the largest dealers in the town, carrying a large stock of groceries and general merchandise, which includes dry-goods, clothing, boots and shoes. The firm also deals in flour and salt, and handles a large amount of produce. Their stock is well selected, thoroughly adapted to the needs and wishes of those who patronize the establishment, and the sales being conducted according to the strictest honor and by men whose courtesy is unfailing and whose willingness to oblige is apparent to all, the reputation of the firm is constantly growing. The senior member of this firm is a son of Prof. John Schroeder, who was born in Kerr- Hessian and was graduated from a German seminary after a six-years' course of study. He taught in different towns in Hesse and died at the age of forty-six years. His wife was Philipine Schucht, a Hessian lady of worth, daughter of Martin Schucht, a wealthy farmer and miller, and an influential citizen who held various public offices in Kerr-Hesse. Prof. Schroeder and his wife reared three children to manhood and womanhood. They are Charles, a farmer of Wilton Township, this county; John and Maria C., now Mrs. C. Justes, of Rosewood, Chicago. Going back another generation in the ancestral line we find Prof. Anton Schroeder, also an able teacher, who was born in Hauda Kerr-Hesse. John Schroeder was born in Germany and reared under favorable home influences. His father died when he was nine years old, but he remained with his mother until he had entered his teens, when he began the labors of life as a clerk in a general store in Hesse-Cassel. After sojourning there three years he went to Gottingen, where he clerked until he was twenty years old. During this period he took private lessons in French, book-keeping and music. When twenty years old he entered the German army, serving two years and two months in the First German Rifle Battalion, Third Company. The life of a soldier was most distasteful to him and as soon as his term was completed he made preparations to join his brother and sister in America, they being at that time at Blue Island, Cook County, Ill. October 15, 1856, the good ship, "Union," Capt. Claussen, spread her sails and left the harbor of Bremen for a voyage across the Atlantic. Among the passengers was Mr. Schroeder, who landed in New York, January 3, 1857, whence he came at once to Chicago by rail. His brother was engaged in wagon-making at Blue Island and he took up the same trade, working with him, and also in Chicago and Michigan City, Ind. In the fall of 1860 he came to Will County and located at Wilton Center, where he engaged in the manufacture of carriages and wagons. He built a residence and shop, and worked up an excellent business, at which he continued to labor until 1882. He then abandoned wagon-making to operate a farm of eighty acres adjoining the village, of which he had been the purchaser. In the spring of 1887, Mr. Schroeder removed to Manhattan, forming the present partnership with his son and buying the general merchandise stock of Knapp & McGovney. He continued to handle agricultural implements, in which he had begun to deal at Wilton Center, until January, 1890, when that branch of the trade was abandoned. The means which Mr. Schroeder has invested in his business is not his only possession, but he owns town lots and a residence, which is valuable and attractive. His business energy and tact are not excelled in the city and all who know him agree in the verdict which pronounces his success but a merited reward. The marriage of Mr. Schroeder was celebrated in Thornton, Ill., February 7, 1859, the lady of his choice being Miss Annie Justes. She was born in Munden, Prussia, and her father, Joseph Justes, was also a native of that place. He emigrated with his family about 1858, making his home in Blue Island, Cook County, where he continued to work at his trade of a shoemaker until his death. Mrs. Schroeder possesses a fine character, is a notable housewife, and has been devoted to the interests of her husband and the children, whom she has reared to habits of usefulness. The family of John Schroeder includes eight sons and daughters, of whom Mary, Dora and Katie still linger by the home fireside. Clemence, the first-born, is senior member of the firm, and his life will be more fully detailed below; the second child is Emma, now Mrs. Rose, of Wilton Township; the third is Louis, who is married and farming his father's acres; the fourth is Annie, now Mrs. Mackey who lives in Manhattan; the fifth is Mrs. Sophia Gerdes, of Wallingford. His fellow- citizens have not allowed Mr. Schroeder to exert his abilities entirety in personal affairs but have called upon him to act as Collector and School Director. In both of these offices he served while residing at Wilton, and he also helped to organize the society and build the house of worship for the Lutherans in that place. He is a charter member of the church there and is justly considered one of the pillars therein, having ever been an active worker. In politics he is a stanch Republican. Clemence Schroeder, junior partner in the firm of J. Schroeder & Son, was born at Wilton Center, August 1, 1860. He is a young man of rare business qualifications and a degree of enterprise which indicates that if his life is spared he will become one of the most influential business men of Northern Illinois. His traits of character and disposition are such as to win and keep friends, and everyone has a good word for him. He was reared in his native place and there afforded excellent school advantages, also having the privilege of six months' attendance at a German school in Glassville, Ind. Returning to his home after this course of study, young Schroeder, who had not long before entered his teens, began to assist his father by painting carriages and wagons. The air of the paint room, which had to be tightly closed during much of the work which he performed, proved injurious to his health, and he left the shop and went upon the farm. There he engaged in agricultural labors, finding his health much benefited by his out-of-door life, which he continued until 1884. He then came to Manhattan, where for a year he was employed as a clerk by Elliott & Bryant. He next accepted a similar position with Knapp & McGovney, in whose employ he remained until the first of March, 1887. His employers were then bought out by himself and father and the new firm instituted, which is prosperous and popular. The virtues and acquirements of Miss Sophia Krapp, a native of Mokena, won the affection of Mr. Schroeder and, his wooing having proved successful, she became his wife April 20, 1887. The young couple have one child, a bright little boy named Alvin. Mrs. Schroeder is a daughter of Martin Krapp, a German stock dealer, who has been for a number of years engaged in stock-dealing and the meat business in Mokena. Clemence Schroeder is one of those through whose efforts the town of Manhattan was incorporated. He is now serving his second term as a member of the Board of Trustees and he held the position of assistant Postmaster a little over year. He follows his father's example and teaching in being a stanch Republican, and he also belongs to the German Lutheran Church at Wilton. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/schroede1518nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 8.3 Kb