Biography - EDWARD A. SCHROEDER
It is a fact patent to all that the United States can boast of no better
or more law-abiding class of citizens than the great number of Germans who
have found homes within her borders, and the immediate descendants of these
staunch, liberty-loving citizens. Of the latter designation is that
excellent young citizen, Edward A. Schroeder, attorney-at-law. He has
entered upon a career as a legist which bids fair to be successful and it is
his aim carefully and consistently to observe and enforce its ethics and
best traditions. Mr. Schroeder is one of Edwards county's native sons, his
birth having occurred on a farm in French Creek precinct on January 27,
1883, he being a son of Frederick A. Schroeder. The father was a native of
Germany and emigrated from that country in boyhood with his parents, John G.
Schroeder and his wife. Frederick A. Schroeder was for many years a useful
and public spirited citizen of this section. His birth occurred November 13,
1835, in the Fatherland, and his death in this locality on December 4, 1910,
but his memory as one who was aligned with all good causes and held the
public welfare above personal interest, will long remain green. He was one
of the most successful farmers of the county and at his demise owned some
four hundred acres of valuable land. His wife, previous to her marriage,
Louisa Negley, was likewise of German parentage and their union was blessed
by the birth of the following ten children: Mary R.; J. George, residing in
Wabash county; Frank W.; David F., deceased; Frederick A.; Charles G.; one
who died in infancy; Edward A.; Laura F.; and Alma L.
Young Edward received his early educational discipline in the public schools
and desiring to obtain a more thorough academic training he became a student
in the Southern Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated in June,
1907. He then matriculated in the Illinois Wesleyan University at
Bloomington where he took a course preparatory to law and received a
well-earned degree in June, 1910, being admitted to the bar in that same
month. Thus thoroughly reinforced in a theoretical way, he proceeded to
Albion, where he proudly displayed his professional shingle and entered upon
an active practice of the law. In politics he is a stanch Republican and is
one of the most prominent of the younger men in political affairs. In
evidence of his prominence in the community is the fact that he was a
candidate for states attorney of Edwards county in the spring of 1912, and
in many ways he has gained the confidence of the people. He is a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Phi Alpha Delta, a law fraternity.
One item in an interesting ancestral history is the fact that his
grandfather was a soldier in the Prussian army in the wars against Napoleon
and participated in many notable engagements. Mr. Schroeder has not yet
joined the ranks of the Benedicts.
Extracted 11 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 History of Southern Illinois, by George W. Smith, volume 3, pages 1581-1582.
