Richard Schaefer

As printed in 1910

RICHARD SCHAEFER.

Richard Schaefer for many years has been a prosperous farmer of Davenport township, where he owns and operates one hundred acres of well improved land, on which he has made his home since 1884. He was born on a farm situated just across the township line in Pleasant Valley, December 24, 1862, a son of William and Lena (Housemann) Schaefer, who were German pioneer settlers of Scott county. Both were born in the fatherland in 1834, the former on the 30th of March, and the latter on the 4th of May of that year. They were married February 26, 1858. The father clerked in a dry-goods store in his native land. Immediately after their marriage he and his young bride sailed for the United States. Landing at New York, they at once made their way to Scott county, Iowa, where the father rented land for a time and later purchased one hundred and thirty acres in Pleasant Valley township. After a residence of seven years in that township, he took up his above on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Davenport township, which he improved and operated during the remainder of his active career. In the meantime, however, he purchased other lands, owning at the time of his death four hundred and sixty acres. Late in life he retired and took up his above in Davenport, his death there occurring December 5, 1908, when he was seventy-four years of age. Prominent and influential in the community, Mr. Schaefer served for a long term as road supervisor and was a member of the German Pioneers Association of Scott county. His widow still survives and occupies the family home at 1457 West Fourth street in Davenport. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: William, who follows farming in Pleasant Valley township; Richard, of this review; Alexander, also of Pleasant Valley township; Hugo, who lives in Davenport; Otto, of Pleasant Valley township; Albert, who resides in Davenport township; Meta, the wife of William Carstens, of Davenport; Emil, who died when a youth of fourteen years; and two who died in infancy.

Richard Schaefer at the usual age began his education in the district schools near the homestead farm and completed his studies in the German school at Davenport. When starting out to make his own way in the world he those the vocation to which he had been reared. He now owns a fine farm of one hundred acres, the rich soil of which yields bounteous harvests in due season. Mr. Schaefer also feeds cattle, keeping good grades of stock. Since taking up his above on the farm in 1884, he has made many improvements, remodeled the house, built a good barn and other outbuildings, and altogether it is a valuable piece of property.

Mr. Schaefer was married December 5, 1884, to Miss Rose John, a daughter of Claus and Katherine (Horst) John, residents of Lincoln township. Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer have two daughters and three sons, all at home, Hilda C, Oscar W., Elsie A., Richard E., Jr., and Raymond W. Mrs. Schaefer was born in Sheridan township, her parents being numbered among the early German settlers of this county. The father served in the German army from 1848 until 1850 and two years later emigrated to the new world, his death occurring in Scott county in 1880 when he was fifty-six years of age. His wife also died in 1880 at the age of sixty-one. Mrs. Schaefer is the youngest child and the only daughter of the family, her two brothers being Emil and John, the former a resident of Summit and the latter of Davenport.

Mr. Schaefer is a democrat and on that ticket was elected constable and road supervisor, and he has likewise filled the office of school director. He belongs to the Modern Brotherhood and the East Davenport Turner Association. Both he and his wife are worthy representatives of pioneer German families, who took an active part in the early development of this region. Mr. Schaefer stands today as a high type of German-American manhood, who has won success in a useful field of business and gained the respect and honor of his fellowmen by his public service and private life.

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.