Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 222
JOHN SCHOEMAKER, residing in Bloomington Township, on section 17, is a native of Holland, born in 1833, and was the youngest in a family of four children, whose parents were Herman and Jane ( Hampe ) Schoemaker. They were also natives of Holland, and came to America in 1846, settling in St. Louis. The other members of the family in this country are: Christopher, who is a pastor of the Holland Baptist Church, of Muscatine; Mrs. J. Schreurs, also a resident of that city; Mrs. Jacob Hendricks, another daughter, was a resident of Muscatine, but died in 1887. The death of the mother occurred in St. Louis, in 1850, caused by Cholera. In 1854 the father moved to Muscatine, where he followed his trade of shoemaking intil his death in 1861.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent in his native land, where he received his education. He learned the trade of shoemaking, which he followed for several years after coming to Muscatine, in 1854. He was united in marriage with Johanna Gertrude Rauwerdink, their union being celebrated Aug.31, 1858. The lady is a native of Holland, and a daughter of William and Hendrika ( Maas ) Rauwerdink, who were also born in that country. The family came to America in 1846, settling in Bloomington, now the city of Muscatine. The mother died while crossing the ocean. The father was a wagon-maker by trade in his native land, but worked in a mill here. His death occurred in 1866 at the age of seventy years.

After his marriage Mr. Schoemaker continued to reside in Muscatine for seversl years, and in 1867 purchased forty acres of prairie land and commenced its improvement. To his original farm he has added a twenty-acre tract, and is now the owner of sixty acres of fine arable land, under a high state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of raising small fruits, having twenty acres set out in various kinds, and also had a fine orchard of 500 apple trees, but the severe winters have killed most of the trees. The stock upon his farm is of the best grades, and everything about the place denotes the owner to be a man of thrift and enterprise. Politically he is a Republican, but is not a politician, having never sought or desired public office. He and his wife are both members of the Holland Baptist Church of Muscatine, take great interest in the work of that denomination, and do all in their power to advance its interests. Mr. Schoemaker holds the position of Clerk of that church, and is also a local pastor, preaching occasionally in the chapel near his home. All enterprises for the advancement of the cause of education receive his ready and earnest support, and his influence and help are always given for the cause of right.

To Mr. and Mrs. Schoemaker have been born eleven children, ten of whom are yet living: William, is now attending college at Ames, Iowa; Hattie is the wife of Mr. Miller, a farmer of Moscow Township; and the rest of the family, George, Mollie, Harry, John, Jennie, Arthur, Alice and Adda, are at home. Eddie, the seventh child, is now deceased. Since coming to Muscatine County Mr. Schoemaker has witnessed many changes, has seen its wild and unsettled prairies transformed into fertile farms and homes, the pioneer log cabins have given way to elegant residences, churches and school-houses have been built, and the work of civilization carried froward so rapidly that Muscatine County can now take rank with any in the State.

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