The Schoenenberger Family of Madison County, Iowa

After thirty-seven years of active life, John Schoenenberger is now overseeing the operation of his farm, leaving the actual work mainly to his son. He has gained a handsome competence from farming and stock-raising and has achieved distinction in the political field, having represented his district in the state legislature. He was born in Fairfield comity, Ohio, on the 5th of June, 1850, the oldest of ten children whose parents were Nicholas and Louisa (Tennis) Schoenenberger. The father, a native of Germany, came to the United States with his parents when but fourteen years of age, the family home being established in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents of our subject, John and Elizabeth Schoenenberger, resided in that state for a few years, the former being employed on the construction of the first railroad built there. Subsequently the family removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, where the grandparents passed away. In 1855 the parents of our subject removed with their children to the west, and on the 25th of June of that year located in Scott township, this county. The following spring, however, they settled on the Harper farm in Walnut township, containing one hundred and twenty acres, which they acquired and operated. It was subsequently known as the Schoenenberger homestead. The father died there in 1902, and his widow then made her home with her youngest son, Edward D., in Monroe township, where she passed away in 1904.

John Schoenenberger remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age, his time in his boyhood and youth being divided between the work of the farm and the acquirement of an education. He attended school in district No. 6 and district No. 2, Walnut township, but not being content with the knowledge gained there, continued to read and study at home until he became a well informed man. When twenty-five years old his marriage occurred and he then located on section 5, Walnut township, where he purchased eighty acres of land. After two years he traded it in on his present homestead, which includes

J three hundred and ten acres of land. He became the owner of five hundred acres, but as his children married and began Hfe for themselves he gave them each a farm, and his own property now comprises three hundred and ten acres. He has always carried on general farming and has also devoted considerable attention to the raising of Jersey hogs and shorthorn and Jersey cattle, feeding about two carloads of cattle annually and from one hundred and fifty to two hundred hogs each year. He has attained gratifying financial prosperity and now rents his farm to his son, Iver Earl Schoenenberger, although he continues to direct its operation to some extent. He is a stockholder and was one of the organizers of the Savings Bank of Peru.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Schoenenberger has consistently voted the democratic ticket since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has been honored with a number of offices of public trust. For four years he served as assessor of Walnut township, for several years was township clerk and trustee, and for eighteen years was school treasurer of his district. In igoG he was elected to the state legislature on the democratic ticket, although his district is ordinarily repub- Hcan by a majority of eighteen hundred. He served for two years and gathered some important legislation. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Peru. Both have performed well the duties that lay before them and have contributed in no small degree to the community welfare.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Anthony Schoenenbergcr, deceased, was a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Madison county, and was numbered among the capitalists of the county. He was born on the 27th of November, 1852, a son of Nicholas and Louisa (Tennis) Schoenenbergcr, who in 1855 settled in this county. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom survive, namely: John and Ed, both of whom are represented elsewhere in this work and both of whom reside in Walnut township; Henry, of Winterset; Lou and Christina, of Des Moines, Iowa; and Ida Tresa, who is living in Union county, this state. Further details concerning the lives of the parents are found in the sketch of John Schoenenbergcr.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

EDWARD D. SCHOENENBERGER.

Edward D. Schoenenberger, a prosperous and well known farmer residing in Walnut township, was born upon the family homestead in that township on the ist of July, 1870, the youngest son of Nicholas and Louisa (Tennis) Schoenenberger, who are mentioned at length in the sketches of Anthony and John Schoenenberger, which appear elsewhere in this work.

Edward D. Schoenenberger attended school in district No. 4 of Walnut township and helped his father with the farm work until he reached the age of twenty-two, when he was married and removed to Monroe township, where he had purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land. He operated that place for eighteen years and in the meantime bought an additional one hundred acre tract. In 1910 he sold his property in Monroe township and purchased two hundred and fifteen acres on sections 6 and 7, Walnut township, where he is living at present. He feeds about two carloads of cattle and one of hogs each year, breeding pure blooded Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. He also does general farming and prosper in all of his undertakings.

On the 22d of February, 1892, Mr. Schoenenberger was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Harrell, a daughter of Luther and Martha Harrell, of Scott township, more extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Schoenenberger have been born two children. Ree, who makes his home with his father and assists him with the farm work, married Aleta

Silliinan, a daughter of Charles SiUiman, a farmer of Scott township. lUanche is attending school in district Xo. 4, Walnut township.

Mr. Schoeneiiberger is a democrat in ])politics and was for six years trustee of Monroe township. He is at present school director of district No. 4, Walnut township. Fraternally he is connected with Lodge No. 555, A. F. & A. M., of Lorimor, Iowa, while his wife is a member of the Eastern Star and of the Zion Methodist Episcopal church, and he is in sympathy with all efforts to promote the welfare of the community. He is a representative of a family that is well known in this county and, like the others of the name of Schoenenberger, is a progressive and successful agriculturist and a valued citizen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.