My Genealogy Hound

Fred Schroeder, who is successfully engaged in the cultivation of his farm of 82 acres in section 8, Farmington township, Oakland County, was born in Germany in 1840, and is one of the most highly esteemed agriculturists of the county, where he has lived nearly 30 years.

John Schroeder, father of our subject, spent his life in Germany and died there in 1851 at the age of 40 years. His widow came to America with her daughter, who is now the wife of John Westfall of Farmington township, Oakland County. Mrs. Schroeder died in 1886.

Fred Schroeder came to America in the fall of 1872, and after spending one day in Detroit located in Farmington township, Oakland County, Michigan, where he has since lived, except one year each in Livonia and Greenfield townships, Wayne County, Michigan. In 1888 our subject purchased a farm of 172 acres in section 8, Farmington township; later he presented 40 acres of the homestead farm to his son August and subsequently sold him 50 acres more, which left Mr. Schroeder a farm of 82 acres, which he takes pride in cultivating and beautifying; by his industrious and intelligent efforts he has developed one of the most beautiful and productive farms in the county.

Mr. Schroeder was married in Germany to Rachael Schmelter, whose mother came to America in 1872 with our subject and wife, and lived with them until her death in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have had nine children, seven of whom are now living, namely: Charles, who is married and resides in Detroit; Louise, who is also a resident of Detroit; August, who was married to Lucy Minhardt and has four children, — Elrene, Fred and twins, deceased; Minnie, who married William Elliott, a broom maker of Detroit, and has five children, — Edith, Clara, William, Harold and Clarence; Mary, who is living at Jackson, Michigan; Herman, who is engaged in farming on our subject’s farm; and Edith, who married William Spaller, a farmer located in Farmington township, and has one child, Lucile May. Herman Schroeder was married in 1901 to Bessie Shults, a daughter of Albert and Permilla (Lewis) Shults, who are engaged in farming at Mason, Ingham County, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Shults have had five children, of whom four are now living, namely: Bessie, the wife of Herman Schroeder; Eva, George and Irene. Our subject and family are members of the German Lutheran Church and take much interest in all church work. Mr. Schroeder is a Republican in politics.