CHARLES FREDERICK SCHUMACHER, one of
the enterprising and successful business men of Hartford, was born Feb.11,
1857, in Waterbury, Conn., son of John N. and Catherine (Martzel) Schumacher,
both natives of Germany.
The family originated in the province of Mecklenburg,
Germany, and our subject's grandfather, John S. Schumacher, was born there.
John N. Schumacher, father of our subject, was born in Mecklenburg Dec.
29, 1830, and learned the blacksmith's trade in his youth, but later became
a pattern-maker. In 1851 he came to the United States, and after spending
six months in New York City located at Waterbury, remaining until 1861.
He then spent about six months in Europe, and on his return settled in
Torrington, Conn., entering the employ of the Turner, Seymour & Judd
Manufacturing Co., with whom he learned the pattern-maker's trade. In this
line of work he became an expert, and, as one of the most valued workmen
in the establishment, he had charge of the pattern department for many
years. After twenty-four years' residence at Torrington he removed to Bristol,
retiring from active business. Politically he has always affiliated with
the Republican party, and he is a member of the German Lutheran Church,
and of the Knights of Pythias. His estimable wife, Catherine Martzel, a
native of Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, died Jan. 12, 1899, leaving one son,
Charles Frederick.
Charles Frederick Schumacher's education was
begun in a district school near his early home, and later he attended Torrington
Academy. When fourteen years old he found employment in a needle shop,
and during the following year he began learning the pattern-maker's trade
with his father, serving the usual apprenticeship of three years. After
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