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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901- PAGE 873-874
GEORGE F. SCHAAL, one of the leading farmers of Waterloo township, Grant county, residing on section 36, is a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, and was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1830, a son of Leonard and Rosana (WELLER) SCHAAL, natives of Germany, who never came to this country, but lived and died in the land of their nativity. Of the family born to this worthy couple, George is the only one who ever crossed the ocean, but he has two brothers still living in Germany, Jacob six years his junior, and Christian, nine years younger, while two sisters, Rosana and Christina, are also alive. A sister, now deceased, was name Catherine, but she died in Germany.
George F. SCHAAL was the eldest son, and would have inherited his father's property had he remained in Germany, but preferred to make his own way in life, and landed in New York, on June 7, 1853. Thence he went to Connecticut, where he worked in a rubber factory for eight months, after which he proceeded to Buffalo, N.Y., and remained three months. His next removal was made in the spring of 1854 to Galena, Ill., but went from there, almost immediately, to the lumber region a few miles north of Chippewa Falls, where he worked for sixteen months, when he penetrated further north, to a point above Wauson, and remained for four years. After this he went to the southern part of Grant county, and worked for George GEYER for eight months. About this time Mr. SCHAAL returned to Germany, but after staying a few months returned to America, in the summer of 1861, after the war had broken out. Although he endeavored to enlist several times, he was refused, as the quota was full, so Mr. SCHAAL located at Potosi, and later at Barkers Prairie, where he was employed for several seasons. His next location was at Waterloo, and it was while residing here that he was finally accepted, Oct. 1, 1864, as a member of Company K, 6th Wis. V.I., participating in many of the important engagements of his regiment. During the battle of Hatcher's Run, Feb. 6, 1865, Mr. SCHAAL was severely wounded in the shoulder by a piece of shell, and sent to the hospital at Petersburg. When he had recovered sufficiently Mr. SCHAAL was detailed as a nurse, but the duties were so severe for him in his enfeebled condition that he fell sick and did not recover until the close of the war, when he rejoined his regiment, marched with it to Washington, and participated in the Grand Review, after which he was honorably discharged, June 23, 1865. After the war Mr. SCHAAL purchased a fine farm at Waterloo, where he still makes his home, and through his industry and thrift he has amassed considerable property.
Mr. SCHAAL was married in 1863 to Miss Adelfena KEMICH, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1843, and made the journey to this country alone. Mr. and Mrs. SCHAAL are the parents of eight sons, of whom seven are living: George F., August, Henry, Albert, William, Edward and Gustave, and one, Otto, is deceased. In addition they had four daughters, now deceased: Rosana, Matilda, Lydia and an infant unnamed. Mr. SCHAAL is a stanch Republican, and he and Mrs. SCHAAL are consistent members of the M. E. Church. Their home is a pleasant one, and they are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck