SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Valentine Schaetzel, Page 562

VALENTINE SCHAETZEL, of Sheboygan, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on the 3d of June, 1830.  He resided in his native country until eighteen years of age, coming to the United States in 1848.  He had learned the trade of a tailor in his native land, and on coming to this country spent one year in the city of New York, being employed at that occupation.  At the expiration of that time, he went to New Orleans, where he remained till 1852, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and the same year came to Sheboygan.  In the fall of the same year, his father and step-mother also arrived in Sheboygan County, coming direct from Germany.  The father, Philip Schaetzel, was twice married.  By the first union three children were born, all of whom are living.  His first wife, the mother of the subject of this record, died when her son was a boy of seven years, after which the father was again married.  The children of the second marriage are all deceased.  Mr. Schaetzel's death occurred in the town of Rhine, February 18, 1879.  His wife, Elizabeth Schaetzel, survives, and resides at the home of our subject.

    As stated, Valentine Schaetzel came to Sheboygan in 1852; however, he did not settle here permanently until 1865.  For a while after coming to this city, he conducted a tailor shop, and then kept a store and saloon.  Later he resumed work at his trade, when by accident he lost his left eye, and was obliged to quit that business.  He was then elected City Treasurer, in which capacity he served for two years.  In May, 1891, he was appointed Superintendent of the City Poor, a position which he still holds.

    Mr. Schaetzel has been twice married, first in New York, in 1859, his wife dying some six years later.  His second marriage occurred in Sheboygan, June 3, 1867, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Louise Nickel, whose maiden name was Starck.  By her first marriage, Mrs. Schaetzel has two children:  Henry Nickel, of Plymouth, Sheboygan County, and Emma, who is the wife of Edward Neumann, of Sheboygan.  Mr. Schaetzel had three children by his first wife, one son and two daughters, as follows:  Amelia, who wedded Henry Hammeister; Dora, whose death occurred August 18, 1893, at the age of thirty-two years; and William, the only son, who resides in Chicago.  Of his second union there is one child, a daughter, Minnie, who is at home.

    In the community where he has so long resided, Mr. Schaetzel is a well-known and respected citizen.  Socially, he has been for many years a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.