Biography - HERMAN L. SCHAEFER
Dr. Herman L. Schaefer succeeded his father in the practice of medicine
in West Salem in 1891, and in the years that have elapsed has most
creditably carried on the reputation of that worthy gentleman. Born in West
Salem, Edwards county, on January 20, 1869, Dr. Schaefer is the son of Dr.
Herman M. and Albertine (Hedrick) Schaefer. The father was a native of
Germany, born in that country in 1820. He immigrated to America in 1848,
previous to which he had served in the Franco-Prussian war in the capacity
of army surgeon. When he located in West Salem, then a mere village with the
surrounding country but thinly settled, he began the practice of his
profession, which he continued throughout the remainder of his life, his
death occurring in 1892, at West Salem. His wife was a daughter of George
Hedrick, a native of North Carolina, who was an early pioneer of Edwards
county. She was born near West Salem in 1833, and she passed away in 1898.
Thirteen children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Herman Scnaefer, of whom seven
are still living. The names of the children are: George, Paul, Louisa, all
three deceased; Mrs. Anna Brown; Mrs. Lucy Dollahon; Mrs. Clara Rominger;
Mrs. Lora Clodfetted; Henry, deceased; Mrs. Emily Lilkis; Alice; Herman;
Ellen, deceased; and Charles, also deceased.
Dr. Schaefer was educated in the common schools of West Salem, and then
entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, in 1888, and was
graduated from its medical department in 1891. He commenced the practice of
his profession in the same year, and upon his father's demise in 1892
continued in the practice already established by him. In addition thereto he
has drawn to himself a clientele that is representative of the best in West
Salem, and he has in every way demonstrated his fitness to carry on the work
of his father. He is local surgeon for the Illinois Central Railroad.
Dr. Schaefer is a member of the County, State and American Medical
Associations, and is a close and careful student of all that tends to
advance him in his profession. He is a Republican in his political faith,
and is a member of the Moravian church. In a fraternal way he affiliates
with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen.
Dr. Schaefer has been twice married. In 1894 he was married to Miss Hattie
Hallbeck, a daughter of P. J. Hallbeck. She died in 1897. His second
marriage took place in 1907, when he married Inez Seibert, a daughter of
Daniel Seibert, of West Salem.
Extracted 11 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 History of Southern Illinois, by George W. Smith, volume 3, pages 1671-1672.
