Edward D. Schaefer

SCHAEFER, URLICH, PAUL, MUSSEN, HELGASON

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/11/2011 at 14:55:41

Edward D. Schaefer, who owns a fine farm on section 3, Armstrong Grove Township, is making a specialty of raising high grade Chester White hogs and has been a leader in the development of the stock raising interests of the county. He is also financially interested in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers Creamery Company, both of Armstrong. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Dane County, December 29, 1859, a son of John and Marguerite Schaefer, both of whom were born in Germany. Upon crossing the Atlantic they located in Canada, but after a short time removed to Chicago, whence they went to Milwaukee. Subsequently they removed to Dane County and there the father purchased land which he farmed until his death in 1891. He had survived his wife by ten years.

Edward D. Shaefer grew to manhood in Dane County, Wisconsin, and after completing his education gave his entire time to assisting his father. When he came of age he was given charge of the home farm, and operated it for two years., but in 1882 he went to South Dakota and took up land under the Homestead Act, cultivating that tract for seven years. He then disposed of the property and went to Jackson County, Minnesota, whence three years later, he came to Emmet County, Iowa. For four years he rented land here and at the end of that time was able to buy eighty acres on section 3, Armstrong Grove Township, which he still owns. He has given particular attention to the breeding of Chester White hogs and has found that business highly profitable. He has investments other than his farm as he is financially interested in the Farmers Elevator Company, and the Farmers Creamery Company of Armstrong.

On the 24th of August, 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schaefer and Miss Lizzy Urlich and they have three children: Barbara, the wife of George Paul of Armstrong; Clara, who married Fred Mussen, a merchant of Gruver, Emmet County, Iowa; and Elmer, who married Pearl Helgason and is farming the home place.

Mr. Schaefer is a stanch advocate of the principals of the democratic party and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, although never an office seeker. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, which indicates his interest in the moral welfare of his community, and his life is conformed so closely to high standards of ethics as to win him the sincere respect of his fellows.

Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917.