Kenosha County WI Lyman Book Biographies


William H. Schroeder

As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.




A great and complex business organization must have at the head of each department a man of efficiency and initiative. One of the strongest elements of success on the part of a corporation is the ability of its promoter to surround himself with a corps of competent officials and assistants who are responsible for the profitable management each of his own department. In this connection William H. Schroeder deserves mention as sales manager of the saddlery leather department of the N. R. Allen's Sons Company, to which place he worked his way upward from a humble position. He is one of Kenosha's native sons, born April 11, 1867 and is a son of August and Dorothea (Johns) Schroeder, both of whom were born in Germany. Crossing the Atlantic, they became residents of Kenosha in 1854 and here the father worked at the trade of harness making until his industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to embark in business on his own account, after which he conducted a shop for himself.

William H. Schroeder, educated in the public schools, was graduated from the Kenosha high school, and started out in business life as a clerk in a drug store, spending five years as a registered pharmacist. On the 1st of February 1890 he entered the employ of the N. R. Allen's Sons Company, proprietors of the largest individually owned tannery in the world. This plant was destroyed by fire the following day, but was at once rebuilt. Mr. Schroeder continued with the company, working in various departments and winning advancement step by step until he is now sales manager of the saddlery leather end.

On the 27th of July 1905 Mr. Schroeder was married to Miss Madeline E. Timme, a daughter of Hon. E. G. Timme, a prominent statesman of Wisconsin who long was active in shaping political history, and who for twelve years served as secretary of state. He was also one of the early settlers of Kenosha County, and contributed in large measure to its material development. To Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder were born three children, but the only one now living is William Timme, ten years of age.

Mr. Schroeder is identified with several fraternal organizations, including the Elks, Royal Arcanum, Modern Woodmen and the Equitable Fraternal Union. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but he prefers to leave office holding to others while in the legitimate channels of trade he seeks his success, using industry and resolute purpose as the foundation upon which to build prosperity.

Typed by: Michelle Laycock



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