Old Grandpa John Schroeder

 

John Schroeder
born August 28, 1835
died October 1921

We have to call him Old Grandpa John Schroeder to differentiate him from all the other John Schroeders in the family tree. Years ago when families were large and biblical names were the way to go, there was usually a son named John. My grandfather's name was also John Schroeder and he had an uncle and grandson (although he always used his middle name, Carl) with the same name. Old Grandpa John Schroeder was my grandfather's grandfather, my great-great-grandfather.  He was the patriarch of the family and the one who brought his family from Prussia to America. His decedents owe him a debt of gratitude. 

With a birth date of August 28, 1835 this John Schroeder certainly qualifies as old. It is quite amazing that we have any information about this ancestor but we do, thanks to family members writing down memories, a grainy photocopied photograph and a newspaper article featuring this esteemed gentleman.  The article is a valuable resource and is included at the end of this post. 

At the time of his birth Prussia was a militaristic kingdom comprised of portions of modern-day Germany, Poland and Lithuania. Its boundaries tended to expand and contract in response to military exploits until its demise in the 20th century. Peace loving Mennonites living in Prussia were in cultural conflict with their pacifist beliefs.   In previous generations (1760's) many Mennonites had emigrated from Prussia to the Russian (now Ukraine) steppes at the invitation of Katherine the Great with the promise of military exemption. However, some remained mostly in the West Prussia area living among the Lutherans and Catholics. Among them must have been the Schroeder family. Mennonites who remained in Prussia adjusted to requirements in some form of military service, perhaps as non-combatants.      

Of the bits of information there is this: "His father was born in Danzig, Germany and died when John was a child. He was then brought up by a stepfather named Rosenfeld."  Danzig is now Gdańsk, Poland. It is also possible that it refers to a region by that name rather than a specific city.  

 

Old Grandpa John was a skilled carpenter. After finishing school at age 17 he served three years as a carpenter apprentice. Once proficient he worked in several large European cities, Hamburg, Berlin and Vienna, Austria.  He married Sarah Tiahrt on August 28, 1862 in Prussia, Germany. They would eventually have six children: Mary, William (my great-grandfather), Leonard, Pauline, John T., and Jacob. Three were born before their move to the United Sates and three after. 

In 1871 at age 36 John came to America alone. It may not be a coincidence that his departure from Prussia coincides with the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War.  He found work first in Utica and then in Detroit where he worked for about three years. He was then able to have his family join him. They went to Dakota territory in 1874 and arrived at the newly established town of Yankton where he worked for several years as a carpenter. In 1879 he established a homestead in Turner county. I believe that he and his family spoke German, possibly a low-German dialect, but likely learned English after arriving in the United States.   

The newspaper article records his accomplishments, "In connection with his agricultural pursuits Mr. Schroeder had also engaged quite extensively since locating on his farm in contracting and building. He built the first dwelling in Freeman ... also the first schoolhouse in the same county, and has since erected as many as sixty-two good buildings there, besides the school-house, churches and bank. Turner county has also many monuments of his skills in the shape of twelve school-houses, four churches and various other structures, and his own property has been embellished with every building which will add to the comfort and convenience of the occupants."  The Schroeders were active in the Mennonite Church where he served as choirmaster. He also served on the school board and as a road overseer. The article states: "Politically he affiliates with the Republicans, staunchly supporting that party's doctrines, and he is esteemed by his fellow-citizens in general as his intelligence, fine character and general usefulness merits."

Back row: John, Pauline, Leonard, William, Mary
Front row: Sarah Tiahrt Schroeder, Jacob, John Schroeder Sr. 
Photo was taken before 1895, probably closer to 1890

My grandmother, Eva Becker Schroeder (1894-1996), remembered Old Grandpa John Schroeder, her husband's grandfather. She wrote, "I learned to know the old grandpa John Schroeder when I was a teenager. His wife had passed away by then and he took turns living with his children. He was very hard of hearing. He had a horn shaped like the Edison phonograph which he would hold to his ear to listen to the sermons during the church service. He was a carpenter ... and built houses and churches. I have a table he made. It is made without nails. It is 40 by 28 inches and is still a very sturdy table. I use it in my kitchen. It was the William Schroeder family table until the family were too many to sit around it."  That table remained in Grandma's mobile home at the Epp farm until the mobile home was torn down. It had been refinished probably by Grandma in the 1970's and didn't seem to be anything special. A family member now has the table at her home in New Mexico. 

Family Facts 

• John Schroeder, Sr. (8/24/1835 in Prussia) married Sarah Tiahrt on August 28, 1862 in Prussia, Germany. He died in October, 1921 at the home of his son, John T., in Dolton South Dakota. Buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Lot 24, no marker. 
• Sarah Tiahrt Schroeder died in April 12, 1909 in Canada
• Mary (1867?  in Prussia) married Henry Schmidt. She died at the age of 73 in June 1940. I believe she lived in Canada. 
• William (12/11/1867 in Prussia) (my great-grandfather) married Kathrina Vogt (9/13/1865-10/7/1945) on January 3, 1889. He died 10/17/1945.  Both are buried in Tieszen (Bethesda) Cemetery, Marion, South Dakota. 
• Leonard (9/15/1870 (in Prussia), He died 1/4/1952. No information on marriage. 
• Pauline (1876? in USA) married Frank Vogt. She died January 1905 at the age of 29. 
• John T. (1879? in USA) married Helen Schulz.  He died at age 55 June 1934. 
• Jacob (11/28/1890 in USA) only lived to be 15 and died 12/19/1895. Buried in Rose-Hill Cemetery. 

Newspaper Article (TOTC)

The following appears to be a newspaper article (which I retyped from a photocopy) about John Schroeder (the author and newspaper name are unknown to me) probably written around 1895: 

    John Schroeder. The name is borne by a prominent citizen of Dalton township, Turner county, who has spent the last fifteen years of his life on the farm whereon he now resides. During this time he has been found standing on the side of truth and justice, and manifesting much interest in his business affairs, and his connection with the advance of civilization. he is engaged in general stock-raising and is well-versed in the peculiarities of various breeds of domestic animals, and, therefore, well able to care for them.

Our subject was born in Prussia, Germany, August 28, 1835, and grew to sturdy manhood in his native place, attending school until he was seventeen years of age. He served three years as an apprentice at the carpenter's trade, and after becoming proficient, went to the large cities--Hamburg, Berlin, and Vienna, Austria--to work, and in 1871 started for America. He landed in New York city, February 19th, and from there went to Utica, where he found employment for eight months at his trade, leaving there to go to Detroit. In 1874 Mr. Schroeder arrived in Dakota territory and located at Yankton. The town had but recently been started, and he readily found employment as carpenter and builder, which occupation he followed for five years. May 20, 1879, he entered as a homestead 160 acres in section 10, of Dolton township, Turner county, on which he erected a 10 x 12 foot shanty, and then bought another quarter section in section 11: this constitutes his present estate. In connection with his agricultural pursuits Mr. Schroeder had also engaged quite extensively since locating on his farm in contracting and building. he built the first dwelling in Freeman, Hutchinson Col, S. Dak., also the first schoolhouse in the same county, and has since erected as many as sixty-two good buildings there, besides the school-house, churches and bank. Turner county has also many monuments of his skills in the shape of twelve school-houses, four churches and various other structures, and his own property has been embellished with every building which will add to the comfort and convenience of the occupants.

The marriage of Mr. Schroeder and Miss Sarah Tihart, who was born in West Prussia, Germany, was celebrated August 28, 1862, and six children have come to bless their happy married life, five of whom survive. Mary is the wife of Henry Smith, and now resides in northwestern Canada; William farms in Rosefield township; Leonard, Paulina and John T., are at home; and Jacob, is deceased. Both himself and wife belong to the Mennonite church, and have high standing in that religious society, Mr. Schroeder being the choirmaster. He has been director in the school board for eight years, three years was chairman of that body, and has served as road overseer for ten years. Politically he affiliates with the Republicans, staunchly supporting that party's doctrines, and he is esteemed by his fellow-citizens in general as his intelligence, fine character and general usefulness merits. 

   

Sources:

William and Kathrine Schroeder Family Record, 1945 compiled by John and Gustav Schroeder. 1979 compiled by David J. Becker

The Roots of our Heritage, notes from a talk given by G.W. Schroeder, June 1988

TOTC Newspaper article on John Schroeder author and newspaper name unknown, written around 1895

West Prussian Mennonite Villages Compiled by Glenn Penner Mennonite genealogy.com  

A Guide to the Genealogy of Prussian Mennonites Glenn H Penner Mennonite Genealogy.com