My Genealogy Hound

PETER A. SCHINDLER, senior member of the firm of Schindler & Coles, undertakers occupies a leading position among the business men of Springfield, and is accredited with having a thorough understanding of all the details connected with his calling. He is a veteran of nearly seventy years, having been born October 15, 1820, and he first opened his eyes to the light on a farm in Frederick County, Md., eight miles north of Middletown, and at the old Leatherman Mills. His father, John Schindler, was born in Germany in 1790, and started for America with his parents when a lad of twelve years. He was orphaned, however, before reaching his destination, his parents dying on the ocean, and being consigned to a watery grave. Not only was he bereaved of his parents’ but all his family, he being the only one surviving the voyage. He made his way to the home of his uncle in Frederick County, Md., the latter having paid his passage, and he remained there until reaching manhood. He learned the miller’s trade, and when reaching man’s estate was married to Miss Hannah, daughter of Peter and sister of Jacob Leatherman, the latter of whom was a prominent preacher in the Dunkard Church, now known as the German Baptist Church.

The father of our subject spent the most of his life at his trade of a miller, but finally turned his attention to farming. He left Maryland for Ohio in 1852, and purchased land three miles north of the present site of the city of Springfield. Subsequently, however, he removed to a farm three miles south of the city, where he spent his last days, dying in the seventy- third year of his age. The mother survived her husband a few years, and died at the home of her daughter, Miss Louisa Schindler, in Miami County. She was a lady of many estimable qualities, and a consistent member of the Dunkard Church. John Schindler, father of our subject, had been reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which he steadfastly adhered all his life.

To the parents of our subject there was born a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom Daniel is a prominent minister of the Lutheran Church in Loudoun County, Va.; John occupies himself as a miller in Miami County, Ohio; Mary became the wife of M. K. Biser, and died at her home near the city of Springfield about 1852 or 1853; Louisa, above spoken of, is unmarried; John is a resident of Miami County, this State, living in the town of Alcony and retired.

The subject of this notice was the eldest child of his parents, and spent his early years in his native county, attending the common school and assisting his father in the mill, and later on the farm. After reaching his majority he set about the establishment of a home of his own, and was wedded in October, 1842, to Miss Mary Ann Shafer. He had at an early age evinced considerable musical talent, and he now started out as a teacher of singing, removed to Hagerstown, Md., and there resided until the death of his wife in 1850. Of this union there are no children living. Mrs. Mary A. Schindler was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and a lady possessing all the Christian virtues.

In October, 1850, Mr. Schindler, leaving his native State, came to Ohio, and locating in Springfield, occupied himself for a time as a teacher of vocal music throughout Clark County. At the expiration of three years he embarked in the furniture business, associating himself in partnership with M. K. Biser, and under the firm name of Schindler & Biser they continued with various changes of partners until 1865. In that year Mr. Schindler disposed of his interest in the business and he also met with great loss on account of endorsing notes for other men, which practically ruined him.

We next find Mr. Schindler engaged in the manufacture of Milwaukee brick near the city of Springfield, and he was thus occupied two years. In 1873 he associated himself in partnership with J. L. Coleman, under the firm name of J. L. Coleman & Co. He purchased the interests of J. W. Coles. J. L. Coleman & Co. carried on the business until 1884. Mr. Schindler then purchased the interest of Mr. Coleman, and subsequently took his son into partnership, the firm becoming P. A. Schindler & Son, and continued thus for some years.

In 1886 J. W. Coles re-entered the firm, which now became Schindler & Coles, and which has operated successfully since that time, having their headquarters at No. 53, West Main Street. They keep a full supply of horses, vehicles and all the other appurtenances required in their business, while their promptness and reliability have gained for them an extensive patronage.

In 1852 Mr. Schindler contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Caroline Keller, widow of the Rev. Ezra Keller, D.D., and who was the first President of Wittenberg College. Mrs. Schindler was born in August, 1819, in Frederick County, Md., and was a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Routzahn, who are now deceased. Of this union there has been born one child, a son, Charles. The latter married Miss Clara Smith, of Springfield, and they became the parents of one daughter, Edith. Mrs. Caroline Schindler departed this life at her home in Springfield, September 20, 1888. In October, 1889, Mr. Schindler was married to Miss Elizabeth Martin, also a native of Hagerstown, Md. Mrs. Elizabeth (Martin) Schindler died February 17, 1890.

Politically, Mr. Schindler votes the straight Republican ticket. He has been a member of the School Board, and became connected with the Lutheran Church in 1838. In this he has officiated as chorister from that year to 1890, of both church and Sunday-school and various other public meetings. For a period of forty years he served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school, commencing this work in 1850 and organizing schools in different parts of Clark County.