John J. Schaefer, b. 28 Mar 1876

SCHAEFER, KILBURG, MIGRATA

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/25/2011 at 18:52:12

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910.
Biographical Sketch

JOHN J. SCHAEFER.

The greatest measure of success comes to those who not only pursue a definite course with energy and perseverance but also seize every opportunity that comes their way and discover needs in a community which they may satisfy, thus benefiting themselves and others. John J. Schaefer belongs to that class of men, for in addition to being a successful farmer and stock raiser of Washington township, he owns and operates a sawmill and thresher, deriving from all branches of his business a generous income, so that he deserves mention among the representative citizens of this county.

One of Iowa's native sons. John J. Schaefer was born in Spruce Creek, Jackson county, March 28, 1876, his father being Joseph Schaefer, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He attended the district schools of his locality to obtain an acquaintance with the rudiments of English education, the days of his boyhood and youth passing in a manner similar to those of the average boy reared upon a farm, his time being divided between the duties at home and those of the schoolroom. There were also opportunities for sport and play, and the days passed quickly and for the most part happily. He early became familiar with the best agricultural methods and assisted his father upon the home farm until he was twenty-six years of age, when he started in business for himself.

For several years previous, however, he had been engaged in various kinds of work through the different seasons. In 1901 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land from his father, fifty acres of which were cleared, the balance being timber land. He cleared an additional twenty acres, now having seventy acres under cultivation, built a good house and substantial barns, and has otherwise improved the place so that he now has an attractive farm and pleasant home. He grows some grain but makes a specialty of stock raising, having about twenty-five head of cattle, twenty hogs and four horses. For the past thirteen years he has run and had an interest in a threshing outfit, and with his brother George has owned and operated a Case traction engine. About ten years ago he started through his locality in the winter to saw firewood and about two years ago he and his brother bought a St. Louis sawmill, with which they have sawed about two hundred and fifteen thousand feet of lumber. In the last thirteen falls he has been dehorning from seven hundred to one thousand head of cattle also. In fact he has availed himself of every opportunity to advance toward the goal of prosperity and, having met with success in every field of his operations, is regarded as one of the substantial men of his township.

At New Spring Brook, this county, September 24, 1901, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schaefer and Miss Matilda Kilburg, a daughter of Jake Kilburg, of Old Spring Brook. Four children were born to the couple but only one, Veronica Migrata, is now living.

The parents are members of the Catholic church of Spring Brook, while Mr. Schaefer is a democrat in his political views. He is not an office seeker, although interested in public affairs, but has served acceptably as school director for the past five years. He is still a young man but by reason of his industry, enterprise and perseverance has won a gratifying measure of success, while his upright and honorable life has gained for him the respect and regard of those who have known him for a long period.