Bio: Schroeder, Gottlieb (Commemorative Bio - 1895)

Poster: Crystal Wendt

Gottlieb Schroder

Gottlieb Schroeder, the subject of this sketch, is one of the prominent citizens of Merrill, Lincoln County, and the owner and proprietor of the “German House” at that place. He is a native of Germany, born in July, 1842, and is a son of Gottlieb and Caroline (Erdman) Schroeder, who had a family of four children – Henrietta, Fredrica, Ann and Gottlieb. The father, who was a laborer in Germany, on coming to the United States, in 1856, located on a farm in Dodge County, Wis., where he remained three years. In 1859, he removed to Marathon County, Wis., there operating a farm near Wausau, which he made his home until 1883, when he sold his interests there, and came to Lincoln County. He died in Merrill in 1884; his wife had passed away in Marathon County in 1878. She was a daughter of Charles and Sophia Erdman, who were also natives of Germany, where the father served as a soldier, and died from a wound received in battle. The mother later came to the New World, where her death occurred.  

At the age of thirteen years Gottlieb Schroeder came to America with his parents and their family, who crossed the stormy Atlantic in search of the fortune, denied them on their native soil. Being the only son, he always remained at home assisting his father in the care and cultivation of the farm, and helped to clear and improved three tracts of land. In 1883 he came to Merrill, where he built his present property, and there opened a hotel, to which he gave the name of “German House.” He still continues to conduct the same, and from the traveling public receives a liberal patronage. The building is a fine brick structure, and is furnished throughout in an excellent manner. The interests and comfort of his guests are the great objects he is striving for, and no more genial or pleasant landlord can be found in this portion of the State. The house is well fitted up, and is convenient and comfortable. Our subject has also had considerable experience in logging, as for a number of years he superintended lumber camps.

In the fall of 1868, in Marathon County, Wis., Mr. Schroeder wedded Alvina Cahn, also a native of Germany, who came to the New World in 1856 with her parents, Frederick and Louisa (Rusch) Cahn. She is one of a family of ten children, all of whom were born in the Fatherland, viz.; Fredrica, Charlotte, Charles, Frederick, Augusta, John, Louis, Amelia, Albertina and Alvina. Her oldest brother, Charles, enlisted during the Civil War and died in the service. Her father served as a solider in Germany in 1812 and 1813. He was born in 1796, and after coming to this country engaged in contracting and building until his death, which occurred in 1871. His wife was called to her final rest in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have had eleven children: George, Ellis, Emma, Gottlieb, Alvina (deceased), Cordelia, Edna, Frederick, Reno, and two that died in infancy. The oldest son, George, is now deputy sheriff of Lincoln County. In politics Mr. Schroeder is a stalwart Democrat, and while in Marathon County was chairman of the county board seven years and assessor six years, but since coming to Merrill has steadily refused to accept office, though an active worker in his party here, and one of its counselors. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and belongs to the Sons of Hermann and the Druiden German Society, in both of which organizations he is an active member. Besides his fine property in Merrill, Mr. Schroeder also owns some wild land in Lincoln County. He is an industrious, energetic man; all that he now possesses having been acquired through his own labors. His parents were very poor on coming to America, and the first money he here earned was in the harvest fields, where he was employed for $1.50 per month.

---Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin Counties of Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Langlade and Shawano. publ. 1895 by J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago 1110 pages, illustrated; Page 1077-1078