Charles Frederick Schroeder was a pioneer settler of this district and one of the best known farmers in the state.
During Mr. Schroeder’s long residence in Beltrami County he was known as a man who was interested in the growth of this community.
In 1896 he came to Bemidji from Osakis with his brother, Wellington Schroeder and established a tote road between Bemidji and Park Rapids. For several years the Schroeders hauled logs over this road which was hardly more than a blazed trail. There were no bridges over the Mississippi in those days.
After his logging venture which proved successful despite its handicaps, Mr. Schroeder entered the mercantile business with his brother, Wellington.
On October 6, 1896 they started a general store where the Grand theater building was later located [218 Third St.]. A year later they erected the building which later housed the Gill Bros. clothing store. [221 Third St]. This was two years before the railroads reached Bemidji and W. G. Schroeder freighted the merchandise for the store from Park Rapids by team, while his brother attended the operation of the store. C. F. Schroeder later purchased his brother’s interests in the business and continued it alone for several years.
Retiring from the store business, C. F. Schroeder moved to a farm in Grant Valley Township, later going to the Carr Lake district where he established one of the best known dairy farms in this region. He served in numerous offices, some of them public and some private organizations. At the time of his death, he owned one of the best known dairy farms in the county. At one time he was city clerk of Bemidji. He served as the first secretary of the Bemidji fire department.
Charles F.. Schroeder was a member of the Better Farming Club. He was the first president of this organization more than 20 years ago.
Among the offices which he held were assessor of Bemidji township, city clerk in Bemidji, member of the Grant Valley town board and Secretary of the Beltrami County Fair. He held the latter office for several years. The exhibit that won the State Fair prize for Beltrami county was supervised by Mr. Schroeder.
He was married to Mabel Gregg Pendergast Schroeder.
He died on Feb 15. 1928. He was survived by Alice Schroeder and Ardyth Schroeder of Berkeley, Cal., daughters; another daughter, Gail, at home, and a son William, also at home. His two brothers surviving him were Frank Schroeder, a mail carrier, and Wellington, farmer of the Grant Valley district. A sister, Mrs. Otto Schwandt, together with his mother, Mrs. William Schroeder, also survived him. (Bemidji Daily Pioneer, front page, Feb 16, 1928 & Feb 18, 1928)