Karl August Schreiber
Charter Oak township is largely made up of citizens either of German birth or ancestry, and to the former class belongs Karl August Schreiber, for his birth occurred in the fatherland on the 17th of June, 1860.
His parents, Ferdinand and Louisa (Strohfeld) Schreiber, were likewise natives of Germany and there they lived until 1888, which year witnessed their arrival in the new world. Upon reaching American shores the father made his way with his family to Chicago, residing in that metropolis for eight years. He then removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he spent two years and it was while living in that city that the death of the wife and mother occurred in June, 1896. Subsequently the father came to Crawford county, Iowa, and made his home with his children throughout his remaining years, his death here occurring in October, 1903, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Schreiber were born nine children, as follows: Augusta W., the wife of Herman Semlor, a resident of Chicago; Karl A., whose name introduces this review; Herman, deceased; Gustav, a resident of Crawford county; Fred W., Amelia A., William and Ferdinand, all of whom have departed this life; and one who died in infancy.
Karl August Schreiber spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native country and upon attaining his majority he emigrated to the new world, believing that in the United States he might enjoy better advantages in the business world. He at first located in Maryland but only spent a brief period in that state, going thence to Chicago, where for fifteen years he worked at the carpenter's trade. He then continued his westward journey and also changed his occupation, for upon his arrival in Crawford county, Iowa, he engaged in farming, having previously purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land here. For six years he developed and cultivated his place and then sold the same.
He invested his money in his present property, comprising two hundred and forty acres, located near Charter Oak in Charter Oak township. In 1909 bought two hundred and forty acres in Paradise township and now owns four hundred and eighty acres. He has made many improvements on his farm, has placed the fields under a high state of cultivation and his place is now one of the finely improved properties of his section of the county. He is engaged in raising various cereals which are adapted to Iowa soil and each year gathers abundant harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
Mr. Schreiber has been married twice. He was first married October 31, 1887, to Miss Augusta Dumke, who was born in Germany and was brought by her parents to America when only a year old. To this union were born two daughters and one son, namely: Martha, who was born March 29, 1889, and now resides in Chicago; Clara, who was born March 2, 1894, and is now at home; and Carl, who was born July 9, 1900, and is also at home.
The wife and mother was called to her final rest in April, 1901, and on the 11th of July, 1905, Mr. Schreiber wedded Mrs. Emma Goerner, the widow of Frank Goerner, who passed away in 1902. Mrs. Schreiber was born in November, 1869, and is a daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmina Lipsky, both of whom died in Germany. She is the eldest in a family of eight children, of whom four still survive, these being: Adolph, who resides in Germany; Fred, of Crawford county; Max, also of Crawford county; and Mrs. Schreiber. The four who are deceased passed away in their native land.
By his second marriage Mr. Schreiber has two sons and one daughter: Herman, whose birth occurred on the 11th of May, 1906; Adolph, born March 17, 1908; and Marie M., born June 7,1910.
By her former marriage Mrs. Schreiber has five children, as follows: Fritz, who was born in Chicago, November 13, 1894; Gertrude, born April 28, 1896; Alma, born April 8, 1898; Ida, born November 20, 1899; and Martha, who was born October 3, 1902.
The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and in this faith are rearing their children. It is astonishing to witness the success of young men who have emigrated to America without capital and from a position of comparative obscurity have worked their way upward in the business world. The readiness with which they adapt themselyes to circumstances and take advantage of opportunities offered brings to them success and wins them a place among the leading men of the community in which they reside. To this class belongs Karl A. Schreiber, who is today one of the successful and well known farmers of Charter Oak township and Crawford county.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.