My Genealogy Hound

JAMES L. SCHAADT is the present Prosecuting Attorney and one of the leading lawyers of Allentown, Pa., who, in his profession, has won an enviable reputation and secured a liberal patronage. He was born in North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pa., December 21, 1856, and comes of an old family of German origin, which was established in this country in 1756. His parents, David and Caroline (Sherer) Schaadt, were also natives of Lehigh County, and are still living in Allentown. In their family were only two children. The younger, J. Allen, is now engaged as an artist on the Times in Philadelphia, the World in New York, Texas Siftings, etc.

Mr. Schaadt whose name heads this record was educated in the public and German schools, where he prepared himself to enter Muhlenberg College, from which he was graduated in 1874, at the age of seventeen years, carrying off the honors of the class. He then began teaching school, and was Principal of the schools at East Allentown and Rittersville. He was a successful instructor, but he did not wish to make teaching his life work, for he had already taken up the study of law with the intention of entering the legal profession. His father having been made Warden of the Lehigh County Prison, Mr. Schaadt was made Deputy Warden. On reaching his twenty-first year he was admitted to the Bar, this event taking place April 10, 1878. He at once commenced practice, and it was not long before he had secured a fair business, which has steadily increased from the beginning until it has now assumed extensive proportions. He was appointed County Solicitor in 1888, and filled the office for three years. In 1892 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for a term of three years, which position he is now ably and acceptably filling.

In 1878 Mr. Schaadt became a member of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, and for two years served as a non-commissioned officer in Company D, Fourth Regiment Infantry. In 1884 he became a member of Company B, Fourth Infantry, and was made Corporal of his company. On the 17th of June, 1889, he was appointed First Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the regiment, and filled that position until December, 1890, when, by a unanimous vote, he was promoted to the rank of Captain of Company B, which position he still holds. The company belongs to Col. D. B. Case’s regiment. He is one of the most popular members of the regiment, for his pleasant and genial manner has made him well liked by all.

In political affairs he takes a warm interest, and is an ardent supporter of the principles of Democracy. He has frequently served as delegate to the county, congressional and state conventions, and has been Chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee. He was an active worker during Governor Pattison’s campaign in 1890, and served on several important committees. Mr. Schaadt is a young man whose enterprise, ambition and merit have placed him in a position of prominence not only among his professional brethren, but also among the representative citizens of Allentown.