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George M. Schlatter

George M. Schlatter, a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 14, Windsor Township, was born on the 7th of February, 1857, under the sheltering roof of the old homestead where he yet lives. His parents were Simon and Susan (Schaffner) Schlatter. His father was born in Baden, Germany, October 9, 1827, and came to America with his parents in 1834, being one of a family of six children who left their native land for America, but before reaching this country two had died. The living are George J., now a resident of Kansas, born in 1834, who married Euphemia Miffin, by whom he has five children - Wesley G., Robinson, Alvia, Sylvia and Frank; Katie A., who became the wife of John P. Smith, and after his death married Gustavus E. Hennig; Mary, who became the wife of Christopher Bare, now deceased, died in Kansas in 1877, leaving three children: Walter M., now living in Chadron, Neb., married Louisa Lauterbach; Garrison, now engaged in mining operations in Colorado; and Dillie C., wife of Martin Kelley, of Britt, Iowa.

The family which Simon Schlatter accompanied to America located in Ohio, where he remained until 1855, when he came to Fayette County, securing a farm which is now the family homestead. In the spring of 1856, he returned to Ohio, where on the 20th of April, 1856, he married Susan Schaffner, who was born in Crawford County, that State, March 20, 1833, and there resided until her marriage. She is representative of a family of twenty-one children. Her father was four times married. Of her full brothers and sisters there are six: Thomas, who lives with his family in Western Iowa; Jeremiah, of Mexico, Mo., who is married and has two children; Katie A., wife of Dr. Dunn, of Atlanta, Logan County, Ill., by whom she has six children; Rachel, who married Mr. Hepler and resides on a farm in Michigan; and Ellen, now Mrs. Hovey, of Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Simon Schlatter began their domestic life on the farm where they resided until after the death of the former. He gave his entire attention to the cultivation of his land, and was very successful in his business undertakings. May 9, 1873, while engaged in digging a hole in which to put a large boulder, the ground supporting the stone gave way and he was crushed under a weight of ten or twelve tons, from the effects of which he died seventeen days later. His widow was again married May 20, 1878, becoming the wife of John Edle, and resides in Banks Township. Our subject has one brother and four sisters, three of whom are living: Gusty Ellen, born in 1858, died in 1862; Mary Catherine born September 5, 1860, died August 20, 1862; Emma M., born November 30, 1864, lives in West Union; Philly H., born January 16, 1868, lives in Monticello, and is in the harness business; and Susan Catherine, born January 4, 1873, and lives at home.

The subject of this sketch has always maintained a home in this county, although he spent two years in Kansas. On the 18th of December, 1884, he married Miss Clara Bell Robinson, who was born in this county, October 23, 1864, and is a daughter of Thomas R. and Jane A. (Smith) Robinson. Her father was born in Ohio, July 1, 1840, and is a son of William Robinson, who was born in the Buckeye State, in 1818, and is still living. Thomas Robinson was united in marriage January 17, 1864, with Miss Smith, who was born in Center County, Pa., September 26, 1842. Their union was celebrated in this county, and was blessed with three children: William H., born October 4, 1866, married Eva Otto, in Sanders County, Neb., December 25, 1889; Edward Thomas, born December 11, 1867, is living in Nebraska, and was married December 23, 1890, to Miss Hattledala; and Mrs. Schlatter completes the family. With her the mother makes her home, Mr. Robinson having died in Missouri, December 19, 1877. Previous to her marriage, the wife of our subject removed with her parents to Missouri, where she spent one year and then returned with her mother to this county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Schlatter have been born two children, sons: Dee G., born March 21, 1887; and Earle R., November 6, 1889. Mr. Schlatter is a member of Round Grove Lodge, No. 41, I. O. O. F., having transferred his membership from Relief Lodge, No. 138, of which he was a charter member. He also belongs to Windsor Lodge, No. 127, Iowa Legion of Honor; and was confirmed as a member of Zion's Congregation, German Lutheran Church, in 1873. In politics he is a Democrat. Inheriting those sterling qualities of his German ancestry, which go to make up the honest, industrious and frugal citizen, we have in Mr. Schlatter one of the representative farmers of the community, who by his fellow-townsmen is highly esteemed for his many excellent traits of character."