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From the Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 712-713
MRS. CHRISTOPHER SCHROEDER, a well-known resident of Platteville, and a representative of a prominent pioneer family of Grant county, was born in Smelser township Oct. 23, 1845, and is a daughter of Dedrick and Maria M. (MELVIN) HARMS.
The father was born March 30, 1805, in Hanover, Germany, where he was reared and educated, and in 1834 sailed from Bremen, and arrive in New Orleans after a long and tedious voyage. By flat-boat he came up the Mississippi river to Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked at day labor, and later found employment in the mines. The same year, however, he came to Grant county, Wis., and commenced working in the mines here. At that time he was unmarried, and in very limited circumstances. In 1839 he was joined by his brother John, and together they invested their money in land, always doing business under the firm name of D & J. HARMS. Their first purchase was the claim of a Mr. HAZARD, who had commenced to break the land, and to it they added from time to time, as their financial resources increased, until they owned a large amount of property. The partnership between the two brothers continued until the death of Dedrick, Sept. 3, 1882. He was married in Galena, Ill., Aug. 6, 1843, to Miss Maria M. MELVIN, a native of Bloomington, Ind., and a daughter of James A. and Sarah S. (ROBERTS) MELVIN. Her mother was born in Virginia, of Holland ancestry, while her father was born near the city of Baltimore, Md. He brought his family to Grant county, Wis. about 1831, becoming a farmer of Belmont township. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and during those troublesome times his family twice went to the fort at Mineral Point for protection. Both Mr. and Mrs. MELVIN died in Nebraska. After his marriage Dedrick HARMS located on the old homestead in Smelser township, where he engaged in farming and stock raising throughout the remainder of his life. Although he came to the New World empty-handed, by industry and good management he became one of the most successful and substantial citizens of his community. Politically he was a Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. She departed this life March 10, 1898. Their children were as follows: John C., born June 6, 1844, died March 13, 1871; Mary I., born Oct. 23, 1845, is the next in order of birth; Henry H., born Feb. 16, 1848, died Nov. 9, 1898; Dedrick W., born Jan. 30, 1850, died April 23, 1856; James W., born Feb. 20, 1852, and Louis L., born Oct. 7, 1853, are both represented elsewhere in this volume; Martha J., born April 15, 1855, died June 25, 1886; Sarah E., born May 8, 1857, is the wife of Dr. A. R. LAW, of Madison, Wis.; Emily M., born April 9, 1860, and George L., born April 25, 1862, live on the old home farm; and the youngest, born Nov. 3, 1864, died in infancy.
Mary I. HARMS grew to womanhood on her father's farm, in Smelser township, and there she was married, Jan. 16, 1868, to Christopher F. SCHROEDER, a native of Holstein, Germany, and a son of Peter and Anna (SCHEEL) SCHROEDER, who were also born in Germany, and on coming to this country first settled in Galena, Ill. In 1847 they became residents of Grant county, Wis., and later made their home in Lafayette county, this State, where the father improved a farm. He died in California, but the mother's death occurred in Wisconsin. Their children were Henry; Catharine, Mrs. NEIHAUS, of St. Paul, Minn.; Christopher F., Frederick, of Lafayette county, Wis.; and Mary, of Platteville.
After his marriage Mr. SCHROEDER purchased a farm in Iowa county, Wis., where he made his home for fifteen years, at the end of which time he sold that place and bought a farm in Platteville township, Grant county, known as the "Block House farm." It is the oldest farm in the county, and was first owned by Mr. KRUSEN, then by John STILES, later by Mr. HUNTINGTON, and then by Mr. SCHROEDER. This well improved and valuable tract of 360 acres is still owned by Mrs. SCHROEDER. Her husband died March 17, 1894. He was a Democrat in politics, and had served on the jury. With his wife he held membership in the Lutheran Church at Platteville. He was a man of exemplary habits, commendable purpose, and unbending integrity, and in all life's relations merited the confidence which was so freely accorded him. Mrs. SCHROEDER is a most estimable lady, and like her husband make many friends. In their family were four children: (1) Anna Maria is now the wife of Jacob BRUGGER, Jr., of Platteville township, and they have four children, Clarence Elmer, Fernie Isabelle, Hazel May, and Herbert D. (2) George William, a resident of Plymouth county, Iowa, married Anna SCHEEL, and they have three children, Mabel Gertrude, Ethel Isabelle and Bessie Helen. (3) James F., married Etta JOHNSON, and resides at home. (4) Ellen Jane died at the age of ten months.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck