Biography of Edward Carl Schroeder of Clay County Minnesota

Edward Carl Schroeder, a respected businessman in the Red River Valley, has built his reputation through hard work and integrity. Born in Elmwood Township in 1880, he grew up on his father’s farm and later pursued education in St. Paul and Fargo. At the age of twenty-two, he began farming independently and transformed his 500-acre property into a model farm, specializing in potato cultivation and dairy farming. With a remarkable herd of Holsteins and a vast collection of trees, Schroeder has become known as one of the most progressive businessmen in the region. Married to Magdalena, the couple has four children.


Edward Carl Schroeder, widely known as one of the most diligent and astute businessmen in the Red River Valley, has earned his esteemed position through dedicated and intelligent work, as well as honorable practices. He is the son of Henry Schroeder, renowned as the “Potato King,” and was born on June 14, 1880, in Elmwood Township, six miles from his current residence. He grew up on his father’s farm and received his primary education in the district schools. Later, he attended Concordia College in St. Paul and completed a commercial course in Fargo.

After completing his studies, he worked for his father for approximately four years. At the age of twenty-two in 1902, he began farming independently. Through his skilled and practical management, he transformed his farm into one of the exemplary models in the Northwest. The farm is located six miles east of Fargo, North Dakota, and three miles west of Glyndon, in Clay County, Minnesota. It spans 500 acres of fertile land, boasting advantageous shipping privileges. The property features an elegant and spacious dwelling, well-appointed barns and outbuildings, and a comprehensive collection of machinery and implements essential for running a modern farm.

Mr. E. C. Schroeder specializes in cultivating up to 260 acres of potatoes, with his primary focus on “Early Ohios” and “Bliss Triumphs.” Employing an intelligent system of seed rotation, he maintains a high standard of quality in his produce. Constantly engaged in experimentation and improvement, he stays connected with experimental stations nationwide. In addition to selling his own products, he purchases significant quantities from other growers. In 1908 alone, he shipped over 220 carloads of potatoes for seed purposes to states such as Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and others.

Mr. Schroeder also devotes considerable attention to dairy farming and breeding purebred cattle. His remarkable herd of around 100 Holsteins has garnered him a reputation as a prominent milk producer and shipper. He also takes an active interest in breeding purebred Percheron horses.

Horticulture and tree cultivation also hold a significant place in Mr. Schroeder’s endeavors. His magnificent home boasts an astonishing 35,000 trees, which he personally planted for protection and ornamentation. The property includes several hundred apple, plum, and cherry trees, all robust and thriving. He also maintains a small vineyard and cultivates a variety of small fruits. Despite his youth, Mr. Schroeder has achieved remarkable results in the seven years he has been operating his farm, earning recognition as one of the most perceptive, forward-thinking, and progressive businessmen in the Red River Valley.

In 1902, he married Miss Magdalena, the daughter of Bendix Kuehl, who was born in Germany but immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of ten. They have four children, with their first two, Luella and Helen, sadly deceased. The remaining two are named Irene and Edward Carl Jr.

Source

C.F. Cooper & Company, History of the Red River Valley, Past and Present: Including an Account of the Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages of the Valley from the Time of Their First Settlement and Formation, volumes 1-2; Grand Forks: Herald printing company, 1909.

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