Schomer, Peter

SCHOMER, SCHMALEN, SCHEA, MURPHY, HENNEBERY

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/22/2009 at 21:58:47

History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol.II, 1912 p.86

PETER SCHOMER

Peter Schomer is well known in Webster City as one of its leading coal merchants and is a man who has been prominent in business circles of the community and active in the promotion of its municipal progress since 1892. He is a native of Germany, born September 26, 1858. His parents were Nicholas and Magdalene (Schmalen) Schomer, also natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1863. They arrived in Chicago on the 4th of July of that year and went immediately to the vicinity of Aurora, Illinois, where they resided for five years. In the summer of 1868 they established their residence in Hamilton County, Iowa, where the father successfully followed farming for some time and later was engaged in a commercial enterprise in Webster City until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife passed away in Hamilton County in the seventy-ninth year of her age.

Peter Schomer was educated in the public schools of Iowa and as a boy assisted his father in the work of cultivating the soil. He was actively engaged in this occupation until he was eighteen years of age, when with his parents he removed to Webster City and was associated with his father in business until 1892. In 1899 he formed a partnership with D. F. Shea in a harness enterprise which he operated with some success for one year. His present coal business was established in 1902 and has grown since that time to be one of the important industries of the kind in Webster City. Mr. Schomer has always given his personal attention to the conduct of his business and his well directed energy has resulted in a gratifying measure of success. His business is operated under principles of honor and integrity and its commercial standards are high and worthy.

On October 13, 1902, Mr. Schomer was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary H. Murphy, a daughter of James Hennebery, of Webster City. She died November 13, 1911. By her first marriage she became the mother of one child, Margie Murphy, who is a teacher in the kindergarten connected with the Webster City public schools.

Mr. Schomer resides at No. 221 Prospect avenue and has many friends in Webster City who are attached to him by the warm ties of personal regard. Politically he gives his allegiance to the democratic party but has never taken an active interest in public affairs. He belongs to Webster City Camp, No. 416, M. W. A., and has held this membership since 1899. In the Knights of Columbus he is affiliated with Bishop Clement Smith Council, No. 838, and has been connected with the organization since 1906. He now holds the office of trustee of the lodge. Mr. Schomer is a member of the Roman Catholic church and his religion influences and elevates his life. There are degrees of financial success in the world but no one can gain more personal recognition than is embodied in the title of an honest man. This title has never been denied Mr. Schomer, for his honesty and integrity of purpose dominate his activity and influence his business and individual life.