SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Capt. Julius Schlaich, Page 595

CAPT. JULIUS SCHLAICH.  Among the few of the early settlers who have interested themselves in the preservation of a record of historical events pertaining to Sheboygan County, and of appropriate mention of her pioneers, should be recorded with favor the gentleman whose name heads this sketch.  An old settler himself, dating his advent in Plymouth, of that county, back to September, 1851, Mr. Schlaich has taken a warm interest in old settlers' records, and has written and published in German an interesting and reliable history of Plymouth, which has been gladly accepted by the Wisconsin State Historical Society as a valuable acquisition to its extensive library.

    Capt. Schlaich was born in Gross Heppach, kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 13th of September, 1832.  His parengs, Eberhard and Fredericka (Haecker) Schlaich, were also natives of Wurtemberg, and his father was of the fifth generation of burgomasters of his native town of Gross Heppach, which is situated not far distant from the city of Stuttgart.  Julius had the misfortune to lose his parents when fourteen years of age.  His education was received at the Gymnasium of Stuttgart.  At the age of eighteen he emigrated from Germany to America, taking passage at Havre de Grace in a sailing-vessel for Philadelphia, reaching its destination after forty-two days spent on the ocean.  He remained two months in New York City, and then came to Plymouth, Sheboygan County, Wis., where he had an elder brother, Eberhard.  He arrived here November 11, 1851 and at once formed a partnership with the brother just mentioned, in a general country store.  In this business he continued until the summer of 1862, when the success of the Confederate armies having threatened the disruption of the Union of the States, he entered the volunteer service of the United States, enlisting for three years, on the 20th of August, 1862, as a private of Company B, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry.  On the organization of the company he was elected Second Lieutenant.  In July, 1863, he was promoted to be First-Lieutenant, and in January, 1864, to Captain.  He was then attached to the General's staff of the Seventh Army Corps as mustering officer, and was retained in the service until March, 1866, nearly a month after the close of the war.  During his term of service he participated in all the battles and engagements of the Vicksburg and Red River campaigns, in which his command took part.  For "meritorious conduct during term of service," he was breveted Major of United States Volunteers, by the President.

    Soon after his return from the war, Capt. Schlaich bought the Plymouth drug-store, and for twelve years carried on that business successfully, retiring in 1881, on account of failing health, since which time he has not been in active business.

    On the 19th of May, 1874, Capt. Schlaich was married in Cedarburg, Ozaukee County, to Miss Augusta Trottman.  She was born in Milwaukee, and is a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Trottman.  Capt. and Mrs. Schlaich have one child, a daughter, Claudine.  Mrs. Schlaich is a Catholic.  In his views in regard to religion, the Captain is broad and liberal, and owes allegiance to no creed or faith.  He is a Republican in politics, but has never sought or desired public office.  Socially, he is a member of H. P. Davidson Post No. 212, G. A. R., of Plymouth.