Funeral services for the late Henry C. Schroeder, 59, one of Shakopee’s most prominent citizens, who died at his home here at 9:25 p.m. last Wednesday [May 13, 1936], were conducted by the Rev. Robert Gale at the First Presbyterian church at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon.
Six friends and former associates of the deceased served as pallbearers; they were A. E. Boppel, R. L. Brown, William Krupp, Harry C. Mertz, J. B. Ries and C. T. Weiland. Burial was in Valley cemetery.
Mr. Schroeder, in failing health for two years, had been confined to his bed for a week previous to his demise. His death was attributed to a bronchial infection.
A leader in civic and business affairs Mr. Schroeder had served as city clerk, alderman and mayor of Shakopee. It was the latter office which he held from June 30, 1928 to April 4, 1935. Since 1903 he had operated a wholesale fuel wood business with marked success and in 1926 was president of the American Range Corporation.
Born in Shakopee December 16, 1876, the son of the late Herman and Marie Schroeder, Henry Schroeder received his early education here. He was confirmed in St. John’s Lutheran church, attended its parochial school, became secretary of its Young Peoples Society and for years was the church organist.
After completing his studies in school district No. 1 he took a business course at Gustavus Adolphus college, St. Peter, and later attended the Hess business college in St. Paul and then went on the road as a salesman of the products of the Herman Schroeder brick yards.
For a time he was associated with his father in the hardware business in Shakopee and then established his fuel wood firm. He was a member of the Saintly City Council of the United Commercial Travelers, was a member of the St. Paul Athletic club, and was serving as a director of the First National bank of Shakopee at the time of his death.
Actively interested in the development of the Scott County Agricultural society he gave freely of his time and wise guidance in directing its growth and program. He was one of the men who helped to develop the Riverside Park athletic field and was instrumental in the erection of the grandstand there.
On June 20, 1903 in a ceremony performed at Chaska Mr. Schroeder was married to Nettie Mae Gibson who with a son Ralph survives. Other survivors are a brother Adolph and two sisters Emily and Anna Schroeder of Shakopee.
Widely known for his business wisdom Mr. Schroeder’s advice was frequently sought and generously given. He aided many and was always among the first to recognize the merits of a public cause. His gifts to others were frequent and liberal and he was generally known as the benefactor of hundreds of less fortunate people.
The vast attendance at his funeral and the quantities of beautiful floral tributes gave evidence of the high regard in which Mr. Schroeder was held.
Among those coming from a distance to be present at the last rites were Dr. and Mrs. C. H. Gibson, daughter Grace, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Gibson, Joyce and Douglas, Mr. and Mrs. Theo Lindenberg, Mmes. Hamlin, Taylor, Anderson, Coty, Schilkin, Miss Doris Coty of Chaska; Mrs. Clarence Sims, Rice Lake, Wis.; H. W. Schroeder and family, Long Prairie; Roland Kahnert, St. Paul; Robt. Hass and family, Winthrop; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hass and daughter Sophie, Howard Lake; Fred Markush and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. M. Hackney, St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. Aug. Keup and Fred Keup, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ruehling, Paul Ruehling, John Ahrens, Mrs. Alice Ahrens and daughter, Atty. H. A. Irwin, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Ahrens, Mrs. P. J. Haupt, Rep. Wm. Witt, Belle Plaine; Mr. and Mrs. Kuehlerwarts, Clayton, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Albers, Alvina and Clara of Northfield; Mr. and Mrs. John Westoff, Mrs. Roy Simcox, Mr. and Mrs. John Schmidt, Blakeley; and others from Jordan, Savage, Prior Lake and other localities.
Source:
Shakopee Argus-Tribune
Volume 74, Number 30, Page 1
Thursday, May 21, 1936