Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 489 - 490

Jacob Raeder, a prosperous farmer of Sheboygan County, is a native of Biebeln-heim, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born October 17, 1826. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Mueller) Raeder. His father was a small farmer in his native land, where he died, comparatively young, at the age of fifty-two years. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom the following are still living: Philip, who is a farmer of the town of Greenbush; Jacob, the second in order of birth; Margaret, who became the wife of Christian Schmidt, a farmer of the town of Rhine; Valentine, who is a farmer in Newton, Iowa; Catherine, who married Herman Schwallenberg, and resides in Meeme Township, Manitowoc County; and Barbara, who wedded John Urbana, a farmer of section 16, Rhine Township.

The gentleman whose name heads this article was reared and educated in the Fatherland, receiving a common-school education. His boyhood was spent on the old homestead, and, when not employed there, he went in service as a farm hand. At the age of twenty-five years, Mr. Raeder, accompanied by his mother and her six children, crossed the Atlantic. They sailed from Havre for New York, and were thirty-nine days on the water. A few days after landing in the latter city, they proceeded on their Westward journey, Sheboygan being their objective point, where they arrived July 4, 1851. Mr. Raeder remained in Sheboygan but a few hours. Going on foot to the town of Rhine, he purchased forty acres of timber-land on section 9. His only neighbors for miles around were the Chippewa Indians, who often visited the home of this pioneer. Selecting a building site, the family erected a log house, 18x24 feet. Five years later this cabin was replaced by a good home, 20x20 feet, with a kitchen, 16x16 feet. At the time of their coming there was not a road visible in this neighborhood; their only roads were Indian trails and a blazed way through the heavy forest. The long bleak winter nights were spent in their cabin home, with the Indians for companions.

On the 11th of May, 1856, Mr. Raeder brought a bride to his cabin in the woods, and she still shares the home of this sturdy old pioneer. Mrs. Raeder's maiden name was Margaret Sophia Ladenberger. She is a daughter of Philip and Margaret (Dueval) Ladenberger, and a native of Ludweiler, a province of Prussia, born February 21, 1836. She is one of eight children, six sons and two daughters, born to Mr. and Mrs. Ladenberger. In 1847, with her parents, Mrs. Raeder came to this country, and settled in the town of Greenbush. Mr. and Mrs. Raeder have eleven children, all of whom are living, namely: Daniel, who is a carpenter by trade, and resides in Merrill, Wis.; Fred, now of Freeport, Ill.; Jacob, a farmer of Greenbush Township, this county; Sophia, who became the wife of Ferdinand Radeske, a farmer of Cass County, N. Dak.; Elizabeth, who wedded Thompson Langfield, of the town of Greenbush; Annette, at home; Mary, now a resident of Milladore, Wood County, Wis.; Henry, who resides in Seattle, Wash.; William, living at home; and Edwin and Louise, also at home.

Mr. Raeder is a conservative in local politics, but in national elections votes the Democratic ticket. He has served his town two terms as Supervisor, performing the duties of that office in a creditable manner. In 1880 he built a cheese factory, which he operates in connection with his farming. He makes a very fine quality of cheese, for which he finds a ready sale at the best prices. Mr. Raeder owns a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres. It is in a good state of cultivation, and well improved as to buildings. Mr. Raeder's mother abided with him until her death, adding the hallowed influence of old age to his happy home for a number of years. She passed away June 30, 1885.

Return to the Sheboygan Page

Return to Bios page