SECOND GENERATION

4. Arthur Charles SCHUMACHER ⁽¹⁾ was born on 3 Dec 1881 in Altamont, IL. He was christened on 15 Jan 1882 in Altamont, IL in German Church. He died on 9 Oct 1957 in Plano, IL.
Arthur Charles Schumacher was born on December 3, 1881, on the Blue Mound Farm at Altamont, Illinois. He was the oldest living child of John and Bertha. He was baptized on January 15, 1882, at Altamont in the German Church.

The first picture of Arthur was taken as a family portrait in 1886. Arthur worked on the family farm and attended the Blue Mound one room school and Altamont High School. It is assumed that he graduated in 1904. He attended the Effingham Business College for two years.

In 1907, Arthur went to work in a dairy operation in York, Nebraska, called the Home Dairy. He worked for Morrel King, son-in-law of his Aunt Freda Miller, for five years. His duties included delivering milk to homes in a horse drawn dairy wagon. He is pictured on a postcard with his dairy wagon and team of horses.

From 1912 to 1914, Arthur operated a grain elevator for his Cousin William Schumacher at Romeo which is located near Lockport along the Illinois-Michigan Canal.

He was approached in May of 1914 by his cousin and Margarett Redden, a widow, to operate a farm for Mrs. Redden at Elwood, Illinois. His Brother Walter and Cousin William lived in Elwood.

Arthur met Verna Redden and married her April 18, 1917 at the Margarett Redden home.

At about age 15, Verna had to leave school and work at home. Verna was the oldest daughter living at home and was responsible for the management of the house and the care of her two younger brothers and her two youngest sisters.

This wedding day marked one of the best times in the lives of both Arthur and Verna. They moved to Altamont where Arthur operated a farm at the West edge of town.

Mrs. Margarett Redden and son George came to Altamont in 1919 and asked Arthur to return to Elwood and operate her 130 acre farm along Jackson Creek. Verna traveled in the passenger coach while Arthur traveled with his machinery and livestock in the freight car.

In 1921, Arthur, Verna, and Erma moved to a 250 acre farm along Highway 66 South of Elwood. He operated this farm until 1941 as a tenant for Mrs. Worton. The 1920's were prosperous years. A new brick house was built on the farm. Arthur, as well as all farmers, suffered from the stock market crash of 1929 and the following years of drought, dust storms, crop failures, and low prices. After the 1929 crash, Arthur said to Verna, "We'll just have to start again".

During the 1930's, Arthur and Verna were fortunate to be living on a farm because they had plenty to eat. They provided food and work for less fortunate family members. Many "tramps" from Highway 66 spent the night in the hayloft and were treated to supper and breakfast.

In the mid-1930's, they were able to set aside money for a down payment for the Norton Farm near Elwood.

But the US Government had plans for the area around Elwood and proceeded to condemn many farms for a munitions factory and storage. By the end of 1940, huge munitions storage bunkers were constructed on the Schumacher farm.

In February of 1941, Arthur, Verna, and family moved to a 136 acre farm at the edge of Plano, Illinois. The war effort increased demand for food and the post war period created the need for food to feed the world's hungry. This caused the farmers to prosper. Arthur and Verna did extensive remodeling of the farm house in 1942. There were shortages of building materials, fuel, coffee, sugar, and many many other items.

Arthur farmed until 1954 and was a landlord until his death on October 9, 1957.

During his years as a farmer, Arthur milked cows, raised chickens, hogs, and horses. In the last couple years of farming, he raised sheep and cattle. Generally, his field crops were corn, oats, soybeans, and hay, but he did grow sweet clover and red clover for seed.

Arthur was a hard working man from 5 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday. Sunday was always a day of rest after the chores were done. Most Sundays, Verna would put a chicken in the oven to roast, all would go to Sunday School and Church, and come home to a roast chicken dinner. Arthur loved pie. Every day there was pie for at least two meals and sometimes three. Sunday afternoons were spent reading, napping and visiting with relatives.

Throughout their lives, Arthur and Verna were active Methodist Church members. Arthur served as a trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, and Men's Fellowship officers.

Arthur was a member and officer of the Chicago Pure Milk Association. He was a life long member of the Farm Bureau.

The above was provided by Robert Marvin Schumacher Sr., son of Arthur Schumacher.

He was married to Verna Pearl REDDEN (daughter of George REDDEN and Margarett REDDEN) on 18 Apr 1917 in Elwood, IL. Verna Pearl REDDEN was born on 14 Feb 1891 in Elwood, IL. She died on 14 May 1975 in Sandwich, IL. Arthur Charles SCHUMACHER and Verna Pearl REDDEN had the following children:

+11 i. Erma Mildred SCHUMACHER.
+12 ii. Alvin Arthur SCHUMACHER.
+13 iii. Robert Marvin SCHUMACHER Sr..