This name represents the proprietor of one of the most valuable estates of Guilford Township, embracing l00 acres of land on section 10 the homestead proper; eighty acres on section 11, 120 acres on section 10 and forty-five acres on section 3. He also owns land in McCook County, Dak. He is one of that class of men too seldom met with — a gentleman by birth and breeding, refined and cultivated in all his instincts. Personally, he is of fine appearance, with a well-developed and well balanced head, and possesses remarkably good business talents. He is a very industrious man as well, and in all his ways a consistent Christian. He has an intelligent family of children, who are making good progress under the advantages he is able to give them.

Our subject is the son of Valentine Schoenhard. who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, where he grew to man's estate, and married Mrs. Elizabeta Margaret (Young) Bell, widow of John Bell, by whom she had five children, and of whom only one is living, a son. John, who is represented elsewhere in this work. The subject of this sketch was the only child of the second marriage of his mother, lie was horn at the homestead where he now lives, March 11, 1849. He was hero developed into manhood, acquired a common-school education, and became familiar with the various employments of farm life. At the age of nineteen years he entered the German-English Normal School of Galena, where he applied himself to his lessons several months; and in April following returned to the farm. He brought a bride to the old roof-tree not long afterward, being married April 2, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Ann Baus. The parents remained at the old homestead until their decease; the father passing away in 1879, at the age of seventy-one years, and the mother, Feb. 8, 1886. aged seventy-six years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Schoenhard there were born six children, viz.: George C, Lilly C, John V.; Clara C, who died when nine months old; Willie E.; and Joseph, who died at the age of three months. Mrs. Elizabeth Schoenhard died March 19, 1881, at the early age of twenty-seven years and seven months. Our subject contracted a second marriage, Dec. 25, 1883, with Miss Christine, daughter of Simon and and Christine (Casper) Thatchio. The parents of this lady were natives respectively of France and Switzerland, and further reference to their history will be found in the sketch of Simon Thatchio, on another page in this volume. Mrs. Christine Schoenhard was born, like her husband, in Guilford Township, April 20, 1851, and is the mother of four children: Oscar E.. who died in infancy; Lester, Wilbur W., and an infant unnamed,

In 1884 Mr. Schoenhard associated himself with the Hon. James Carr in the stock business and has since transacted a business of several thousand dollars in that line, dealing mostly in general stock. He naturally has very little to do with political affairs, although, in 1887, he was made the nominee of the Democratic party of his county for County Clerk, and was defeated with the balance of his ticket. He has served as School Director for several years, and was Assessor two terms, also Supervisor a period of six years, and was a Director of the Thompson and Guilford Fire Insurance Company one year. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church at Scales Mound.

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