Albrecht, Clarence J.

SCHUMACHER, DILL

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/18/2009 at 19:22:00

Laudable ambition constitutes the ladder upon which Clarence J. Albrecht is climbing to success and prominence. Already he has become known as one whose knowledge of natural science and taxidermy places him with able representatives of the profession to which he wishes to devote his life. Broad study, practical experience and scientific training are thoroughly qualifying him for the work in which he has already made a name and place for himself. He was born September 28, 1891, and is a son of Fred H. and Louise (Schumacher) Albrecht, of whom mention is made above. He passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until graduated from the high school of Waverly in 1909 and then entered the State University of Iowa in September of the same year in order to pursue a course in liberal arts. When a boy of not more than twelve years he showed an extreme liking for, and interest in bird and animal life and at that early period, without assistance, he succeeded in stuffing and preserving a bluejay, displaying such skill and ability in the work that he was encouraged by his father to continue therein and spent much of his leisure in that way. He eagerly read things upon the subject, picked up any information that he could acquire in conversation and learned much through practical effort until the time came when he could enter the university in which he continued his studies under the guidance of Professor Homer R. Dill. When in 1911 a trip was planned under the auspices of the United States Department of Agriculture and the University of Iowa, Mr. Albrecht, although but nineteen years of age, was chosen as one of a party of four to investigate the habits of the birds of Laysan Island, a part of the Hawaiian Island Reservation. The duties of the commission included also the collection of birds, eggs and nests in order to secure a large panoramic group for the State University of Iowa. In Professor Dill's official report of this trip to the secretary of agriculture at Washington he speaks very highly of mr. Albrecht's ability and the assistance which he rendered the part in their scientific investigations.

To Mr. Albrecht fell the duties not only of gathering specimens but also of making all photographs used later and the reports show illustrations which stand as incontrovertible evidence of his ability and of his knowledge concerning the bird life that he was investigating.

On his return to the university Mr. Albrecht resumed his studies and in the spring of 1913 was selected for an expedition to Alaska and Siberia in order to secure a collection of polar bears, walrus, cariboo, kodiak brown bears and all other big game animals and birds. This trip was made in behalf of the Carnegie Museum at Pittsburg and the Field Columbian Museum of Chicago. Mr. Albrecht has but recently returned from this trip which was a most interesting one and a most successful one, because of the nature of the specimens which he secured. On his return he accepted a position at the State University Museum of Seattle, Washington, but intends to return to the State University of Iowa in order that he may finish his studies in taxidermy and graduate. For a man of twenty-two he has already had a remarkable career and there is undoubtedly before him a successful future in which his name will become more and more widely known in connection with scientific work. The people of the community feel proud of his attainments thus far and prophesy that his course will be one of continuous advancement. A deep natural interest in the science is the basic principle of a work that has carried him steadily forward and the important commissions intrusted to him show already that he has gained high professional standing.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914