Christian Schumacher

As printed in 1902

CHRISTIAN SCHUMACHER.

Comparatively few are the men who are devoting their time, energies and talents to those lines of life promoting the ethics of culture. The vast aggregate are concerned with industrial, agricultural or commercial pursuits, but here and there are found those whose ability in another‘ direction contributes to the happiness and pleasure of the world through ministering to the love of the beautiful. In such a department of life is Christian Schumacher found, and his artistic skill is widely acknowled by many who have seen his work and are competent judges of art. His fame as a painter is not confined ta Springfield, but is extending far beyond the limits of this city and of the state.

Mr. Schumacher is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born June 12, 1846. His parents, Henry and Frederica (Lohr) Schumacher, were born, reared and educated in Germany, there spending their entire lives. Both passed away when about seventy years of age. The father was a stone mason by trade, and also a builder, and was an expert workman. They had three sons: Christian, ot this review; Henry, who was a mechanic and died in Springfield in 1871, but was educated in Germany, whence he came to this city in 1866; and Gustavus, who is a mechanic now living in Michigan. He came to Springfield in 1876 and removed to Michigan in 1890. The father of this family died in 1888 and the mother in 1889. He was a man of means and provided his children with good educational privileges. Christian Schumacher was educated in the general public schools of Germany and at the age of fourteen was apprenticed to a machinist for a term of three years, during which time he learned the trade. During that same period he was also attending an. art school at Tubingen, his home place, and he also spent some time in the art school at Stuttgart. When eighteen years of age he left his native land and came to America, making his way: to Springfield, Ohio, where he had relatives living. Here he found work as a machinist in the Leffel Water Wheel works, and was thus employed for about ten years. At the same time he was studying and improving his artistic skill. Some time later he did drafting for his former employers at their factory, but in 1875 he gave up the machinist’s trade in order to devote his entire attention to painting. From his brush have come many fine oil paintings, which are seen in various homes in Springfield. He formerly gave private instructions in crayon, oil and drawing and was an instructor in drawing in the art depart- THE “BIOGRAPAICAD RECORD, ment of Wittenberg College. From his material ancestry he inherited his taste for this line of work and by earnest efforts he has developed his talents which have long since advanced him beyond the ranks of mediocrity. He formerly employed agents to solicit orders in various parts of the country for oil and crayon portrait work, but since 1897 he has been doing original work, making a specialty of animals, and has several times exhibited his work at state fairs. In 1888 he made a trip to Germany and visited his parents, both of whom died within a year after his visit. While abroad he spent much of his time in the art department of Munich, studying for about four months.

In 1869 Mr. Schumacher was married to Miss Caroline Fox, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1849, and when a young lady came to America. They have three sons. Hermann, born in 1874, and now employed in the tool department of the Thomas Manufacturing Company, is married and has two children, Carrie and Irene. Henry, who is married, is now employed by the P. P. Mast Company as a machinist. Charles is a machinist in the tool department of the navy yard at Washington, D. C. The sons were all born, reared and educated in Springfield and had private instruction in mechanical drawing at the Young Men’s Christian Association, the father teaching them free-hand drawing.

In 1873 Mr. Schumacher purchased a lot which was then outside the corporation limits of the city, which is at No. 387 Clifton street, where he now maintains his residence. In politics he is a Republican where matters of national or state importance are involved, but at local elections he votes independently. He is a member of St. John’s

Lutheran church and is a citizen interested in everything pertaining to the general good. His advancement in his profession is due to his earnest application, his close study, his efficient work and his native talents. He has produced many works of high merit and Springfield has reason to be proud of his artistic skill.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.