The new boat, "Minnie Schneider" by name which may be seen at Galena, attracts the admiring; attention of river-men and citizens generally, and was built by the subject of this notice for the purpose of plying on the Mississippi with excursionists to and from different points during the summer season. It is a fine little craft seventy-five feet long, with a fifteen-foot hull, and built of the very best material. It is fitted up with modern conveniences, and can be used for towing purposes as well. For more than twenty years, Capt. Schneider has been on the river, which has yielded him a mug sum of money, and he expects to continue this also. He has been on the river since a lad of twelve years, and for the last seven years has carried the license of master and pilot. In his wood operations he has been usually successfully, although at one time losing a large amount on account of high-water.

The interests of Capt. Schneider have centered in Northern Illinois since his birth, which took place in Galena, May 23, 1852. His father. Frank Schneider, was also a river captain, and a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. He was reared to manhood in his native province, where be occupied himself as a mechanic during his younger years, and was married to Miss Ann M. Yantz. This lady was born and reared in the same province as her husband, and they remained there until after the birth of two children. They then set sail for America, in 1851, with their children, but before the voyage was ended one of them sickened and died and was committed to an ocean burial The parents after a brief sojourn in New York City proceeded westward by the lakes to Chicago, Ill., and thence overland with teams across the country to Galena, which was then an unimportant village. The father found employment as a boatman on the Mississippi, and this business seemed to suit his tastes and inclinations, he followed it and in due time became the owner of a boat.

With the proceeds of his labors, he in due time also became the possessor of a home, purchasing ground and in 1853 built a large dwelling, which is now occupied by his son. Under this roof-tree he spent twenty-six years of his life and died, July 16, 1879, at the age of fifty-nine years. The wife and mother had preceded her husband to the silent land about 1875, when fifty-six yean old. They were honest, industrious people, and members of the German Catholic Church.

To the parents of our subject there were born only three children. His sister. Barbara, is the wife of Henry Schildwachter, and lives in Lawrence County, this State. George A. was the only son, and was reared to manhood under the home roof. After leaving school his time was employed principally in the wood business until reaching his majority. When ready to establish a home of his own he was married in Galena. July 10, 1879, to Miss Wilhelmina Plath. This lady was born in Buffalo County. Minn.. Sept. 23, 1859. and is the daughter of Henry and Helen (Henken) Plath. who are both living. They are residents of Cass County, Dak., where the father owns a large tract of land and carries on farming extensively.

Mr. and Mrs. Plath were born in what was then the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, where the father grew to manhood and became a skilled mechanic. They came to America with their respective parents and were married in Galena. Not long afterward they took up their abode in Minnesota, whence they removed to Dakota about 1878. With the exception of a few yean spent in Galena at his trade. Mr. Plath has followed farming since coming to America. He was one of the pioneers of Buffalo County. Minn., and likewise settled in Dakota during the pioneer days of Cass County. Their family consisted of eight children, all of whom are living, and five of them are married. Mrs. Schneider was the third daughter and the fourth child, and was reared to womanhood in Minnesota, remaining there with her parents until her marriage. The five children of her union with Capt. Schneider were named respectively, Clara B., George H., Minnie H., Anna C. and Frank W. The captain and his wife are both very pleasant and intelligent people, and number their friends by the score in the community which has known them so long and well. Their neat home is situated in the east part of the city, and its inmates are surrounded by all the comforts of life.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)