The Eldor Schroeder Family

Eldor K. Schroeder, son of "Otto" Christian and Maria "Mary" Joost Schroeder, was born May 15, 1900; his boyhood days were spent on his parents' farm, helping them and enjoying the farm life. He married Bertha D. Kruse, born on March 25, 1901, daughter of John and Josephine Hintz Kruse, on Sept. 4, 1919.

Eldor and Bertha made their home on the Schroeder homestead where he was born. They farmed this place for nearly thirty-five years, first with two teams of horses, then in the early forties took to more modern farming with a tractor. West of the house was the red tile ice house used to store ice taken off the ponds in the winter, and then used in summer to refrigerate food. Nearer to the house was the outdoor brick oven, which had been used to bake many loaves of bread. Their home was near the center of the eighty acre farm, and the driveway was about fifty rods long. Many times during the winter, people would get stuck in the snow, coming in or going out of the long driveway.

Eldor and Bertha had five children: Harvey, born March 20, 1920; Paul R., born June 14, 1924; Betty and Bobby were twins born November 12, 1929; and Mary Lou, born Sept. 3, 1940.

Eldor held the office of Ridgeville Township Trustee for a number of years and was also employed as a poultry buyer, at first for Wm. Nofziger and later on for himself.

About 1954 they moved to Ridgeville Corners where Eldor continued the poultry business, and working for the township trustees. Bertha also started to work in the Ridgeville School cafeteria and was employed there for about fifteen years. Eldor passed away Feb. 21, 1962.

Harvey married Delora Meyer on April 20, 1947; they have two children and he is employed in the carpentry and construction business.

Paul R. stayed with his parents and was employed as a carpenter; he died Feb. 18, 1973.

Bobby, one of the twins, was very ill in infancy and passed away on January 5, 1930.

Betty, the other twin, married Dale Stark on Feb. 26, 1949; they lived on a farm in Williams County, and have six children. Dale passed away.

Mary Lou married Alan Ulch on Feb. 20, 1960; he is employed as a carpenter and cabinet maker, living in Winter Haven, Florida. They have two children.

Submitted by Morris H. Otte