The Christian Schroeder Family

The Christian Otto Schroeder Family. Back row: Hulda Thiele, Anna Arnos, Alma Leininger, Emma Meyer, Bertha Nagel, Doris Otte; seated: Eldor, Maria "Mary" Schroeder, Otto, Adolph.

Christian Schroeder was born in Jarchau, Prussia, Sept. 24, 1811. His wife, Dorothea Becker, was born on March 6, 1820, in Annstett, Prussia. They were married on March 5, 1843, in Kleden, Prussia.

They had six children, five of whom were born in Kleden: Carl H. "Charlie" on November 24, 1843, William Adolph on July 25, 1845, Frederick Ernest on Aug. 24, 1847, Caroline Emilie Louise on Dec. 1, 1849, and Ernest "Robert" on March 12, 1852.

In 1854 the family came to America and settled in Adams Township, Defiance County, Ohio. There my grandfather Christian "Otto" Schroeder was born on Jan. 22, 1855. They moved to Fulton County for a short time and then to Henry County in 1864. There on June 6, 1873, the purchased 80 acres in Section 32 of Ridgeville Township.

Dorothea passed away on January 24, 1888, and is buried in St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery in Ridgeville Township. Christian Schroeder died on Feb. 27, 1894, and is buried in St. Marks Lutheran Cemetery, Adams Township, Defiance County.

William A. "Bill" was an adventurer, finding his way to Alaska, to look for gold. He had a son Robert who stayed with his grandparents until he was a young man. Then William came back and got his son and together they returned to the west and north country. William made several trips home and Robert at least one. They did leave a few tokens of their adventures while they were here, but were always ready to return.

Frederick Ernest married Mahala Margaret Holmes on Nov. 27, 1873. They had three children: William S., born Dec. 28, 1874, "Fred" Frederick A., born Oct. 31, 1876, and Edward C., born Jan. 11, 1882. Frederick Ernest passed away July 24, 1884.

Caroline "Emilie" Louise was married and they moved out west in the Nebraska-Iowa area.

Submitted by Morris H. Otte