One of the representative German-American citizens of Scott County, Iowa, who has not passed through life unnoticed and without gaining for himself a reputation among his fellow-men, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. His name has been heralded by the local press to all parts of the country, not as a public officer holder or seeker, but a man who is authority on the growth of savory fruit, or the “Onion King” of his adopted County. Thirty-eight years ago, when agricultural men were striving to accumulate something from the growing cereals most familiar to the farmer, Mr. Schutter decided to try his success in the cultivation of onions. For this crop he realized but thirty-five cents a bushel, but undaunted by this ill luck he decided to again try his experiment, and his labors the following year were crowned with a success which was the stepping-stone to the fortune he amassed in later years. For many years he has cultivated eighteen acres each season and has harvested as high as seven hundred and sixty bushels to the acre. To illustrate the enterprise of Mr. Schutter it may be stated that during the great drought of 1894, when other farmers were watching their crops fade beneath the scorching sun, he was on the alert for relief and to save his labor he purchased hose and attached to a pump, and in this way irrigated his land. This proved a boom to his growing crop until the creek went dry, though the benefit received very materially aided in giving him more than an average harvest.
Henry Schutter was born in Hanover, Germany, October, 1830, and came to America in 1845. He landed first in New Orleans, and from there went to St. Louis, where he worked at the shoemaker’s trade for many years. He then moved to Hampton, Illinois, where he worked one year, and then decided to make his future home in the Hawkeye State. He settled in Pleasant Valley Township, Scott County, and purchased the first lot in Valle City. He also has the honor of being the first German citizen to settle in the Township. Mr. Schutter began purchasing land as his finances would permit, adding a piece at a time, until he acquired five hundred acres, for which he holds seventeen deeds.
He was united in marriage to Miss Loesa Kreiterin 1853, to who five children were born: Millian C., Lena (deceased), George H., Charles J. (member of the insurance firm of Berwald, Mittelbuscher & Schutter, 19 Masonic Tempe, leading insurance underwriters of Davenport). Frank F. is the youngest son and is the clerk of Pleasant Valley Township.
In political matters Mr. Schutter affiliates with the Republican party, and he is a member of the German Lutheran Church.
BIOGRAPHIES