William C. Schaefer

As printed in 1910

WILLIAM C. SCHAEFER.

Prominent among those who gain a livelihood from the rich soil of Scott county may be mentioned William C. Schaefer, who owns ninety acres of land in Davenport township, where he resides, and one hundred and fifty-four acres in Pleasant Valley township, besides other farm and city property. As the name indicates, he is of German birth, his parents being Edward and Mary (Bishop) Schaefer, who were pioneer settlers of Scott county. The former was born in Germany in 1810 and came to the United States when a young man, alone. He spent one year thereafter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then sought a location in Scott county. He bought forty acres of raw land on the Jersey Ridge road on Duck creek but prior to making the purchase he had built a crude dwelling in the midst of the wilderness. This house stood on the land which he later bought. It was about this time that he wedded Miss Mary Bishop and they began their domestic life in the pioneer home which Mr. Schaefer had prepared. Mrs. Schaefer had come to the new world with her parents when she was a young girl. To them were born four sons: William C, Fred, Charles and Edward. The two last named are deceased, the former passing away when but fourteen years of age, while the latter was thirty-six years of age at the time of his demise.

When the parents settled in their new home they began work in earnest, toiling from early morning until late at night. It was a long and strenuous task that was presented to them but they met it with a steady, unwavering resolution that was characteristic of the early pioneer settlers. From a wilderness the father converted his land into richly cultivated fields and as the time passed and his sons grew in years and strength they rendered valuable assistance to him in caring for his crops, through the sale of which he added to his financial resources and was able from time to time to increase his land holdings. He accumulated two hundred and eighty acres of fine land and in course of years replaced his pioneer home with a more pretentious and modern dwelling. At the time of his death, which occurred March 3, 1900, he left to each of his two living sons a good farm and left his widow in comfortable circumstances as well. She still survives at the advanced age of eighty years. As she looks about her she sees few of the settlers that came here in pioneer times but she has many warm friends among the younger generations

' '\' 'AR LZ s who through their kindly interest and affection help to brighten her path in her declining years.

William C. Schaefer, the elder son, was born on the home farm on Duck creek, February 3, 1854, and in his boyhood and youth shared with the other members of the family in the privations and struggles that surround the early settlers in a new country. He attended the district schools of the neighborhood and later the German school in Davenport. He has made farming his life work and his home place, which he inherited from his father's estate, comprises ninety acres, this being located in Davenport township. He also owns five acres across the road from his home and one hundred and fifty-four acres in Pleasant Valley township, while he likewise has city property in Davenport. He carries on general farming and stock raising, his specialty being Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle.

Mr. Schaefer was married April 17, 1879, to Miss Emma Kurtzfeldt, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kurtzfeldt. She was born in Davenport township, her people being among the early settlers of this section. Six children grace the home of Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer: May, Edward, Adolph, Charles, Delia, and Lillian. All are at home with the exception of the eldest daughter. May, the wife of William Bertram, who operates her father's farm in Pleasant Valley township. She is the mother of four children, Harold, Esther, Earl and Lucile.

Mr. Schaefer can well remember when he was a boy how this district appeared. Much of the land was still unclaimed, the homes of the settlers were widely scattered and many of the present thriving towns and villages Were then unheard of. As the years have passed he has seen this section of the county develop into a rich farming center, dotted here and there with modern and attractive homes, and he can take a just pride in what has been accomplished, for he has been an important factor in bringing this about. Today he stands crowned with honors and success, and his honesty of purpose, his clean record and his devotion to all that is many and upright has gained for him many warm friends.

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.