Samuel M. Schroder, a rising young business man of Oakland township, and one of the most progressive agriculturists of Schuyler county, was born in McDonough county, Illinois, in 1860, on the 27th day of April. His father, Nicholas Schroder, was a native of Germany, but emigrated to America with his mother when a lad of eleven years, in 1837; his father, John Schroder, died in the Fatherland about the year 1830, leaving a widow and three sons in very humble circumstances; the names of the sons are Christopher, Carson and Nicholas. They sailed from Bremen to New York, landing after a voyage of six weeks; they came direct to Pennsylvania, and from there to Schuyler county, and settled on a tract of Government land which the brave mother and stanch, energetic sons converted into a farm of great fertility and value. Nicholas went to California, taking the overland route; he mined for seven years, meeting with fair success, and then returned to Illinois, purchasing a farm of 160 acres in McDonough county. He was married in 1858 to Lucinda Phillips, a daughter of Samuel and Amy Philips [sic], who were settlers in Illinois as early as 1840; they had a family of two daughters and a son: Amy Ann, wife of John W. Danners; Ada L., wife of Robert Robertson; and Samuel M., the son, is the subject of this notice. The parents came to Schuyler county in 1864, and purchased 220 acres of land in Oakland township, on which they lived until 1889, when they went to Vermont; here they bought a home in which they are now living in quiet enjoyment of the reward of their labors.
Samuel M. Schroder was reared to the life of a farmer, and received his education in the common schools. His opportunities were somewhat limited, but this lack has been more than overbalanced by wide reading and clear thinking upon all the topics of the day.
Mr. Schroder was united in marriage, in 1880, to Miss Sarah E. Smith, a native of Fulton county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Rebecca (Barcus) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Schroder have buried an infant daughter, and have three children living: Harry W. was born December 22, 1882; Cleveland B. was born March 3, 1884; and Maud, November 2, 1889.
Mr. Schroder first settled on eighty acres of land, and has since bought the eighty acres adjoining it; he also owned 280 acres in Schuyler and McDonough counties, which he recently sold at a handsome profit, after cultivating it four years. He does a general farming business, making a specialty of corn and wheat in the cereal line, and cattle, horses and hogs in live-stock. He has represented the people of his township in various local offices, and has always been a stanch supporter of home interests and home industries. He was elected vice-president of the J. Wershon Bank in June, 1892, and is a stockholder of this corporation. He is possessed of excellent business qualifications, and has met with marked success in all his undertakings. Always employing the most honorable methods, he has the highest regard and esteem of the entire community. [1]Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892, pages 292-293.
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References
| ↑1 | Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892, pages 292-293. |
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