My Genealogy Hound

ERNST E. SCHRADER, who for many years has been engaged in business as a barber of Chester, claims Germany as the land of his birth. He was born March 31, 1833, and is the eldest child of Henry and Sophia (Vieges) Schrader, who were also natives of Germany. The father was a grain dealer of that country, and served in the German army, taking part in the war against the French. He did a good business and was a prominent citizen.

Ernst E. Schrader, whose name heads this record, attended the common schools of his native land, as required by the laws of that country, until fifteen years of age, and then entered the university of Goettingen, where he pursued his studies for two years. In the meantime he learned the barber’s trade, and on the expiration of that period he went to Sheffield, England, where he remained for six months, working at his chosen trade. We next find him in London, whither he went to visit the London Museum, in which he spent some days. He then went to Liverpool, England, and crossed the Irish Channel to Dublin, Ireland, where he spent five weeks. On the expiration of that period he returned to Bremen, Germany, where he was engaged as a barber for six months, when he went to Copenhagen, Denmark, spending one year in that city. He returned by way of the Baltic Sea and Hamburg to his native town, where he made preparations for coming to America.

Having determined to seek a home and fortune in the New World, Mr. Schrader crossed the Atlantic, and landed in Baltimore, Md., on the 2d of August, 1854. In that city he spent four months, and then went to Cincinnati, where he worked for a short time, after which we find him in Lexington, Ky. Thence he went to Peoria, Ill., and in 1855 he came to Chester. Here he opened the first barber shop in Randolph County, and along the line of his chosen trade he has continued business in Chester for about forty years. Meeting with most excellent success in his undertakings, he has secured a large patronage, and has acquired a handsome competence, which numbers him among the substantial citizens of the community.

In August, 1856, Mr. Schrader was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Roeder, who was of German descent. They have become the parents of ten children. Doris, the eldest, was killed in an explosion in St. Louis, at the age of twenty-one; August, who carries on a barber shop, married Sophia Dany. The others are Nettie, Sophia, Lena, Dora; Lizzie, wife of Fred Oaks, of Chester; Mamie, wife of Charles Tackleberg, a resident of St. Louis; Caroline, wife of Charles Schroeder, who is living in Horton, Kan.; and Nellie, wife of Charles Ehrhardt, of St. Louis.

Mr. Schrader and his family are all members of the Lutheran Church. They are people of prominence in this community, and in social circles hold an enviable position on account of their sterling worth. In politics, Mr. Schrader is a Democrat, but has never been an office-seeker. He may truly be called a self-made man, for through his own efforts he has achieved a success which has crowned his undertakings, and made him one of the substantial citizens of the community.