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Below is a family biography included in History of Lee County, Iowa published by Western Historical Company in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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SCHAFER, GEORGE H., of the firm of George H. Schafer & Co., wholesale manufacturing druggists; was born in Fort Madison July 15, 1847; he attended school here and completed his education at Western Union College, Lyons, Iowa; he commenced to learn the drug business with Samuel Eckhart, of this city, who died in 1864; after his death, Mr. Schafer managed the business for McFarland & Eckhart; when he became of age in 1868, he became a partner of Robert McFarland under the firm name of McFarland, Eckbart & Schafer, which continued until the spring of 1872, when the firm became George H. Schafer & Co.; they have the only steam laboratory in the West for the manufacture of the purest and best goods for the drug trade; they are pioneers in this line of business in the West; Mr. Schafer has the management of business and has labored indefatigably, and by his determined energy built up a large and constantly increasing trade. He married Miss Natalie Koester June 15,1869; she was born in Soest, Prussia, and came with her parents to America; they came to St. Louis, where her father died of cholera; he was an intimate friend of Carl Schurz. Miss Koester was brought up by Rev. Mr. Reis, former Pastor of the Lutheran Church here, under the guardianship of Mr. Shullenberg, of St. Louis; she was educated and graduated at Fulton, Ill.; after graduating, she went to Europe to visit relatives in Prussia and Belgium, and upon her return, they were married at the Astor House, in New York City, and now live in the old homestead in this city; they have two children — Robbie and Lulu.

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This family biography is one of 668 biographies included in The History of Lee County, Iowa published in 1879.  For the complete description, click here: Lee County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Lee County, Iowa family biographies: Lee County, Iowa Biographies

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