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Dr. Paul H. Schaefer, who is engaged in the general practice of medicine, surgery, microscopy, and electro-therapeutics, and who though a member of the profession for only three years, has already gained a patronage which many an older physician might well envy, was born in Burlington, July 19, 1879. His father, William Schaefer, is a native of Germany, and came to the United States when about twelve years of age, since which time he has been a resident of this city. He learned the hardware business in early life, and later was associated with William Erb, under the firm name of Erb & Schaefer, in the conduct of a hardware store on Main Street. He possesses the musical talent so characteristic of his nationality, has engaged in teaching music to some extent, and for a number of years was a member of Fischer’s Band, playing the French horn. For the past ten years he has been connected with the music house of General James A. Guest, being at the head of the tuning and finishing department, a position for which he is splendidly qualified. He married Augusta Krekel, who was born in Louisiana, of German parentage, their wedding being celebrated in Burlington. They became the parents of three children: Paul H.; William, who is employed in the piano factory of James A. Guest; and Minnie, the wife of Frank Foehlinger, a photographer of Burlington. Mr. Schaefer is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, and both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah Chapter. He is well known and influential in German-American circles, and in the business and musical world. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church.
At the usual age Dr. Schaefer entered the public schools, and advanced through successive grades until he had completed the high-school course by graduation with the class of 1898. Wishing to engage in the practice of medicine as a life work, he matriculated in the medical department of the State University, at Iowa City, and later continued his studies in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Chicago, being graduated with the class of 1902. He afterward received a hospital appointment in the Brainard polyclinic at Chicago, and subsequently came direct to Burlington, where he opened an office in October, 1902. He has practiced here continuously since, with a constantly growing patronage, and has already attained creditable and gratifying success. He engages in the general practice of medicine, surgery, microscopy, and electro-therapeutics, and has a fine microscope and also an X-ray machine. He is examining Physician for the Merchants’ Life Association, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World, the Degree of Honor, the Woodmen’s Circle, and the Modern National Reserve, and is now county physician.
Dr. Schaefer belongs to various fraternal organizations, including Malta Lodge, No. 318, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Des Moines Chapter, No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; the Woodmen of the World, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Modern National Reserve, while in the line of his profession he is connected with the Des Moines County Medical Society. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, is active in its work, and during the last two campaigns served as ward committeeman of the west precinct of the seventh ward. He belongs to Bethany Lutheran church, and is esteemed for the qualities of an upright manhood as well as for his professional skill, which has already won for him notable success, and will lead to still greater advancement in the future.
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