In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1839
From History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910)
ERNST D. SCHROEDER.
Ernst D. Schroeder, who resides at 1103 West Fourteenth street, Davenport, began his life in this country very modestly, but through industry and frugality, guided by a laudable ambition, he achieved a marked success and is now the owner of two hundred and three acres-of fine farm land in Davenport township.
He was born in Germany, September 22, 1839, his parents being John and Mary Schroeder, who spent their entire lives in the old country. In the land of his birth Ernst D. Schroeder was reared and in the schools there received a good education. When he put aside his text-books he engaged in agriculture, pursuing that calling until 1865, when he decided to come to the United States. He disembarked at New York but came almost immediately to Davenport, securing work in this city as a laborer. During the next ten years he toiled and saved, at the end of that period feeling that he was justified in renting a small farm in Black Hawk township. Later he bought ten acres in Davenport township, on which he made his home for the next eighteen years, and when he sold that place purchased the tract of two hundred and three acres which he owns at present. He had resided upon it only five years, however, when he decided to retire from active life. He had been a careful and thorough farmer, a man who knew how to obtain the best results from his labors.
In the fall of 1865 Mr. Schroeder was married to Miss Dora Steiger, a daughter of Carl Steiger, who never left his home in Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have been born two children. Ida became the wife of Gust Bandholtz, of O'Brien county, Iowa, and they have two children, Charles and Lillian. Clara became the wife of John D. Hammann and is the mother of one son, Walter. She makes her home with her father. Mrs. Schroeder departed this life March 24, 1907, at the age of sixty-five years and six months, mourned deeply by the members of her family and the circle of friends who knew her intimately. Mr. Schroeder has now rented his large farm and lives in the enjoyment of a generous income and the consciousness of years well spent.
As printed in History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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