Charles F. Schoch. Among the many industries which have contributed to the upbuilding and advancement of the thriving town of Elkader is the carriage and buggy manufactory of the gentleman whose name heads this article, who contracts for and caries out fine work in his line of trade. thoroughly conversant with all the details of his business, he oversees his large and extensive place, turning out carriages of a very superior quality of workmanship.

A native of the Keystone State, our subject's birth occurred in Philadelphia in 1852. He is a son of Charles Schoch, who was born in Germany. In his early manhood he left the Fatherland, and on landing in the United States continued his journey westward as far as Clayton County, where he settled, devoting himself to agricultural pursuits until shortly before his death, which occurred in 1893, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years. He was one of the fifty industrious German farmers who settled in the colony at Communia, and to whose exertions much of the wealth and prosperity of that region are due. He was a loyal citizen and son of his adopted country, and politically voted with the Democratic party. His wife, whose maiden name was Rose Yeager, is still living, making her residence at Elkader and is now in her seventy-sixth year.

Charles F. Schoch is to all intents and purposes an American, as he was only an infant when his parents brought him to Clayton County and here his early years were passed, his time being spent in giving to his father his assistance in carrying on the homestead and in attending the district school. With his father he learned the trade of carriage making, and to this branch of business has devoted his mature life. He is master of the trade and he has succeeded in establishing a reputation for good work, second to none in this region.

In 1875 the subject of this sketch married Fredericka Suco, of Elk Port. Her father, Fred Suco, was one of the early pioneers of this county, in which he still makes his home, having reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schoch has been blessed with a family of three sons and four daughters, as follows: Rose, Mattie, Ella, Louise, Frederick, William and Carl, Jr. The children have all been given the best of school privileges and are being trained for lives of usefulness and honor. Mr. Schoch is a member of Union Lodge No. 105, I.O.O.F., and is also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is affiliated with the Democratic party, to which he gives his zealous support. Mr. Schoch is widely and favorably known in this locality, which has been his home during almost his entire life, and here he numbers among his host of acquaintances many of the truest and warmest friends.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 427-428
~transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall