JOHN H. SCHROEDER.   That the sheep industry has grown to such enormous proportions during the past several decades is due to the fact that climatic conditions are nearly ideal, while the valleys afford excellent grazing facilities and the "bunch grass," which covers the hillsides and plains, makes excellent fodder for the animals.  Many of those who are now largely engaged in this business have graduated from the ranks of herders, and among them are to be found numerous natives of the Fatherland.  In this class may be mentioned John H. Schroeder, of Billings, who is the owner of 21,000 acres of land located twenty-one miles northwest of the city.  Mr. Schroeder was born in Holstein, Germany, Nov. 22, 1865, and is a son of Peter Henry and Margaret (Kibbel) Schroeder, both natives of Holstein.
     Peter Henry Schroeder was a tailor in Germany, but on coming to the United States, in 1876, engaged in agricultural pursuits near Denison, Crawford county, Iowa.  In 1879 he returned to Germany, and in the following year brought his family back to America and resumed farming and his death occurred when he was seventy-eight years of age.  He was a faithful member of the German Lutheran church, as was also his wife, who died at the age of eighty-two years, and they were the parents of seven children, of whom three are living: Julius of Denison, Iowa; Emma, the wife of Claus Peters living in Crawford county, Iowa; and John H.
     John H. Schroeder received his education in the common schools of Germany, and when fourteen years of age accompanied the family in its immigration to the United States.  For about four years he was employed as a farm hand in Iowa, and also spent one year as clerk in an implement firm of Denison, but in the spring of 1885 first became connected with the sheep business as a herder, at Big Timber, Montana.  For two years thereafter he followed the same occupation in the Yellowstone Valley, in the meanwhile carefully hoarding his savings until he had enough, in 1888, to purchase a small band of sheep, conducting his business on the range.  So successful did he become that in 1900 he purchased 21,000 acres of land, located twenty-one miles northwest of Billings, and at present is running 4500 head of sheep.  He still follows the same line of business, but in the fall of 1910 came to Billings, where he has a nice home at No. 123 Lewis street.  He has been interested in a fraternal work, belonging to Magic City Camp, No. 593, Woodmen of the World, and Germania Lodge, No. 7, Sons of Hermann.  His career affords an example of what may be accomplished by thrift, industry, perseverance and honest dealing, and is worthy of emulation by those of the younger generation who feel they are handicapped by lack of influential friends or financial aid.
     In 1895 Mr. Schroeder was united in marriage with Miss Olga Lehfeldt in the Congressional church in Billings, she being a daughter of Rudolph Lehfeldt.  Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder, namely:  Amanda; Walter; Herman, twin of Walter; Louis, and Frances, twin of Louis.
Source: History of Montana, by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, Vol. 3 of 3 - Illustrated - Publ. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1913 - Page 1299