The Christian Otto Schroeder Family

Christian "Otto" Schroeder was born in Adams Township, Defiance County on Jan. 22, 1855, son of Christian and Dorothea Becker Schroeder. On Dec. 5, 1879, he married Maria "Mary" Joost born Jan. 8, 1856. Her parents were "John" Hans Hinrich Joost and Wilhelmina Bremer Joost.

They remained on the Schroeder homestead which he purchased from his parents, Nov. 15, 1879. The house was so arranged that his parents could use several rooms for their quarters. Otto and Maria continued the farming and being active in community life.

To this couple were born eight children: Bertha D. born Nov. 7, 1880; Hulda born Dec. 28, 1881; Anna M. on Aug. 16, 1883; my mother - Doris L. on Aug. 4, 1885; Alma L. on Sept. 21, 1887; Emma Ida on Oct. 26, 1891; Adolph born Aug. 13, 1893; and Eldor K. on May 15, 1900. All of the children went to the one room 8 grade Schroeder School about a half mile walk west of their home. The family belonged to St. Johns Lutheran Church, less than one half mile east of their home.

My grandfather was fortunate to be able to go and see the World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893. In July of 1912, Emil Leininger who had married Alma Schroeder had some vacation time coming, talked my grandmother, Maria, my mother Doris, and his father Amos Leininger into taking a trip with them to Niagara Falls. This trip took about a week, during which time my cousin Ruth, my brother Arthur, and I stayed at grandfather's home with Aunt Emma. I understand that Aunt Emma remembers having her hands full, and was happy to see the vacationers' return.

Visiting my grandparents was a common Sunday afternoon occurrence by their children and grandchildren. I also remember the pond in the back of the woods. In the winter time, ice would be made and stored in their ice house for summer use in keeping foods. Ice was also used for one other delicacy on an occasional hot afternoon or evening, and that was ice cream. I remember it being made, using a pail in an ice-filled wash tub, and soon after that the hand cranked freezer was used. Either way, it was always welcome.

In November, 1920, Otto and Maria retired and moved to Ridgeville Corners, Ohio. Their Golden Wedding Anniversary was celebrated at their home on Dec. 8, 1929. Nearly all of their children and grandchildren were there, to celebrate with them. They resided in Ridgeville Corners for about fifteen years and after that made their home with their youngest son Eldor, and his family on the old home place. They were privileged to celebrate their fifty-ninth wedding anniversary. "Otto" Christian passed away on Feb. 13, 1939. "Mary" Maria passed away on May 21, 1940.

Bertha D. married Reinhold C. Nagel on April 24, 1901. They lived in Ridgeville Township, Henry Co., and had four children. Bertha passed away on Dec. 7, 1951, and Reinhold on Sept. 24, 1950.

Hulda married Karl "Charley" J. Thiele on June 4, 1903. They lived south of Fort Wayne, Ind., and had three children. Charley passed away on Nov. 20, 1948, and Hulda on March 7, 1971.

"Anna" Maria married Henry F. Arnos on Sept. 27, 1906, and they lived in Adams Twp., Defiance County, and had four children. Henry passed away on Nov. 1, 1963, and Anna on May 27, 1968.

Doris Lucinda married Edward H. Otte on Nov. 12, 1905. They lived in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, and had three children. Edward H. passed away on Nov. 24, 1932, and Doris L. on Oct. 7, 1949.

Alma Louise was married to Emil Leininger on May 6, 1908. They lived in Bryan, Ohio, and had two children. Alma passed away on March 29, 1955, and Emil on Dec. 31, 1962.

Emma Ida was married to Harry K. Meyer Nov. 1, 1914. They lived on a farm in Fulton and then Henry County. They had eight children. Harry passed away on Nov. 18, 1972.

Adolph married Emma Hesterman on Sept. 23, 1920. They lived on a farm in Sec. 31 of Ridgeville Twp. and had four children. Adolph passed away May 6, 1948, and Emma on May 30, 1975.

Eldor K. married Bertha D. Kruse on Sept. 14, 1919. They lived on the Schroeder Homestead until they moved to Ridgeville Corners. Eldor passed away Feb. 21, 1962.

Submitted by Morris H. Otte