Valentine Schneider

Valentine Schneider, who follows farming on section 7, township 8, range 9, Monroe County, was born in southern Germany, on the 13th of December, 1824, and is his native land spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He is the eldest in a family of three children whose parents were Henry and Mary (Stiller) Schneider. They too were natives of Germany, and in that country the father followed farming as a means of livelihood. He was educated in the public schools, and served in the German army in accordance with the laws of the country. In 1844, accompanied by his family, he bade adieu to his old home and crossed the briny deep to the New World. He took up his residence near Waterloo, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which results from an attack of cholera in 1848. With the German Evangelical Church he held membership, as did his wife. Her death occurred in 1845, after only three days' illness, the effect of fright and shock caused by the burning of their home.

Our subject is the only surviving member of the family. His brother Jack died in this state, and Peter died in California. Valentine was a young man of nineteen years when with his parents he emigrated to the New World. He has since been a resident of Illinois, and is now numbered among the leading agriculturists of this community. He continued with his parents and gave to his father the benefit of his services until his marriage, which was celebrated in 1850, Miss Caroline Dagi becoming his wife. She was born in Germany, and was brought by her parents to America at the age of seven. The family located in New Orleans, and thence came to Monroe County. She is a faithful member of the German Evangelical Church, and is a lady of many excellencies of character, which have won her a large circle of warm friends.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schneider were born thirteen children, but four died in infancy. Seven sons and two daughters are yet living, namely: Adam, Henry, Caroline, Jack, Louisa, Peter, William, Lewis and Gustavus.

Mr. Schneider has followed farming throughout his entire life and still lives on the old homestead of two hundred and forty acres near Waterloo. He has been prospered in his business affairs, for he is industrious and energetic, and has therefore won success. In the community he is recognized as a man of sterling worth, and has twice been elected Supervisor. For twenty-one years he has held the office of School Director, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. A public spirited and progressive citizen, he gives his support to all interests which are calculated to prove of public benefit and to promote the general welfare. At the age of sixty-nine years he is now enjoying good health, and is living a quiet life surrounded by his family on the old home farm.