William H. Schroeder Biography
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