AUGUST W. SCHROEDER, who is a dealer in boots and shoes of Centralia, is one of the representative business men of the city. He is prominent not only in business, but also in official circles, and has the high regard of all who know him.
He claims Germany as his native land, for he was born in Hanover, on the 11th of March, 1829, and is a son of Frederick Schroeder, who was also born and reared in Hanover. The mother bore the maiden name of Henrietta Holman, and was a native of Prussia. By trade Frederick Schroeder was a shoemaker, and in his native land followed that business until his death. In the family were eight children, of whom three are still living, Mrs. Mary Weber and August W. being residents of America.
Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, and with his father learned the trade of shoemaking. In 1852, when a young man of twenty-three, he determined to seek his fortune beyond the Atlantic and sailed for New Orleans. In that city he worked at his trade for six months, thence going to St. Louis, worked two and a-half ytfars there, and in June, 1855, came to Centralia. He made the first pair of boots in this place and established the first boot and shoe store in the town. He is now one of the oldest residents of Centralia, and with the progress and upbuilding of the place he has been prominently identified.
On the 5th of December, 1856, Mr. Schroeder was married to Miss Mary Menzen, a native of Prussia, Germany, who came to America with her parents in 1848. Her father settled in Germantown, Clinton County, ILL., where he died about one year later. To Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder were born ten children, seven of whom are living,
Since April, 1841, Mr. Schroeder has been engaged in the shoe business, either as a manufacturer or as a dealer. He has also been connected with various other enterprises. He is one of the directors of the Centralia Mining and Manufacturing Company, and of the Centralia Building and Loan Association. Of the former he was an original stockholder, and of the latter he was a charter member. He was one of the original stockholders of the Centralia Gas Company and of the Centralia Fair Association, and is a stockholder in the Centralia Iron and Nail Works and the National Bank. He has been connected with nearly all of the leading enterprises of the city, and thereby has materially aided in the progress and prosperity of the place. He is also a stockholder in the American Central Insurance Company of St. Louis.
On coming to Centralia in 1855, Mr. Schroeder built a home on the site of his present residence and has since there lived. In 1870, his shop was destroyed by fire. With characteristic energy however, he replaced it by his present commodious and comfortable business block. He also has another residence next to the one in which he lives, which he rents.
He was one of the organizers of St. Peter's Evangelical Church of Centralia, and for many years has been one of its elders.
In politics he is a Republican, and since April, 1893, has been one of the Aldermen of the city. He is now serving on the water works committee, the committee on streets and alleys, the police and fire departments, and the finance and light and power committees. He is recognized as one of the most able members of the City Council, for he labors earnestly for the best interests of the community. He may well be numbered among the founders of Centralia, for few men have done more for its upbuilding.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 304 & 305
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer