S. H. F. Schoulte, a
wealthy farmer and stock-raiser of Clayton County, was
born in Dubuque County, Iowa, December 5, 1841. His
father was a native of Germany and served as a Guard in
the Prussian Army for two years. The father emigrated to
this country in the year 1838 and settled in Dubuque,
Iowa, working as a day laborer until 1842, when he
removed to Garnavillo Township, and engaged in the
improvement of land until his demise.
His wife still survives and resides on the old homestead.
There were eleven children born to this couple, nine of
whom were boys, and two girls, four of the boys dying
before they reached the age of maturity.
Our subject was the eldest child in the family. He was
reared in Garnavillo Township and was educated in the
district schools there, and then attended the college of
Sinsinawa, Wis. In 1871 he came to Farmersburg Township
and lived for a short time in a little frame house. He
settled upon three hundred and fifteen acres of land and
cultivated the great majority of it, and since that time
he has constantly been accumulating more, until at
present he has over one thousand acres of broad and well
cultivated fields.
In the year 1874 he erected a fine, capacious granary,
the dimensions of which are 24 x 24 feet, with a capacity
of five thousand bushels, and it is at this writing
filled to overflowing with a fine crop of winter wheat.
His property was greatly improved by the erection of a
beautiful eleven room residence, which is equipped with
all of the modern improvements. His orchard, which covers
three acres, is not to be forgotten. One reason of his
great success is that he individually superintends all of
the work on his farm, although he employs four hired
hands.
Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary Kann,
daughter of Henry Kann, who is a prominent citizen of
Guttenberg. Mrs. Schoulte is a most estimable lady, and
was born in Clayton County, Iowa. She is one of thirteen
children, twelve of whom are still living, and eleven of
whom are recorded in the Iowa Book of Records, which was
exhibited in the Iowa State Building at the World’s
Fair. Those living are as follows: Henry, Katie,
Philomena, William, May, Frank, Lucy, Oliver, Pelonia,
Grace, Hilda, and August C.
Our subject and his worthy wife are valued members of the
Catholic Church, and have shown themselves friends of
educational advancement by giving to their children every
possible opportunity to improve themselves and thus
prepare them to occupy with honor any work, public or
private, to which they may be called.
The people of Farmersburg Township have shown their
respect and esteem for Mr. Schoulte by giving to him
offices of public trust, as School Director for two
years, Secretary of the District, Commissioner of the
Elkader Stone Bridge (which was erected at the cost of
$16,000), Road Supervisor, Assessor for four years,
Treasurer of the Clayton County Agricultural Society for
three years and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He
is one of the incorporators and also a member of the Old
Settlers’ Association of Clayton County, and is the
President of the Clayton County Fire and Lightning Mutual
Insurance Company.
His life has been worthily spent and his character is a
noble one. The history of this community would be
incomplete without his sketch, and we gladly present this
record of his life work to our readers.
~source: Portrait and Biographical Record
of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman
Pub. Co., 1894; pg 523-524
~transcribed by Suzanne Terrell
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