After a five year absence, Heinrich returned to Cincinnati as a finished
master sculptor and established a studio, the F & H Schroeder Bros.,
for sculpting and altar building. Heinrich dedicated himself,
corresponding to his deep religious convictions, mainly to Christian art
and his wonderful works spread throughout the land. There is hardly a
large city in this country that doesn't have one or more works from the
artistic hand of this excellent master. Some of his most masterful works
in Cincinnati generally admired and highly regarded are the sumptuous
marble altar in St. Francis DeSales Church in Walnut Hills and the marble
memorial for the late Father Topmoeller in the St. Mary's Cemetery in St.
Bernard. His last completed work was a magnificent altar for the chapel of
the Soldiers Home in Dayton, Ohio.
In May, 1876 Heinrich Schroeder married Miss Josepha Speiser here (in
Cincinnati) and from this fortunate marriage produced three sons, from
which the oldest, 21 year old Joseph, is a competent decorations painter
(interior decorating/painting) living among us; and with his good mother
and his brothers, 18 year old Harry, and 11 year old Paul, grieve the loss
of their beloved father. Next to his widow, to whom he had been a true and
devoted husband, and his sons, to whom he was a good caring father, he
left his here remaining brother and business partner, Friedrich Schroeder
and a sister, Mrs. Louise Kodale, living in New Albany, Indiana, as well
as a brother and a sister who still live in Neuenkirchen in Huelsen
In spite of his high skills in his art, Heinrich Schroeder was a quiet,
simple and, often, too modest man. He was devoted to the precious art,
specifically Christian art and was a true believing Catholic. As such he
was an enthusiastic member of St. Joseph's congregation, St. Joseph's
men's club, St. Vincent's charity club, St. Lawrence's men club in Price
Hill and also their charity club, as well as a member of the St. Martin's
branch of the Knights of America.
On Saturday at 8:00 AM, the funeral of the deceased German-American
artist will proceed from the house of mourning, 1044 Linn St., to the
chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis at the corner of Linn and Betts
Streets.
As Heinrich Schroeder, one of the most honorable and best of
Cincinnati's German men, is laid in his grave, his demise will be grieved
by countless friends in this country. May the deeply saddened family be
comforted with the knowledge that his good works and magnificent creations
will survive him for many decades.
The funeral of
Henry Schroeder, member of the firm of F. & H. Schroeder, altar
builders and sculptors of this city, took place from St. Mary's Chapel of
the Betts Street Hospital yesterday morning, when a solemn requiem high
mass was celebrated by Rev. Wm. Scholl, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, on
Linn street, of which the deceased had been a prominent member for many
years. The deceased ranked among the foremost sculptors of religious
subjects in America and there is scarcely a large city in the Union which
does not possess one or more statues executed by him. The greatest work of
art he executed in this city is without a doubt the beautiful marble altar
of St. Francis de Sales Church, erected at a cost of $18,000. His latest
work was the completion of the handsome new altar of the chapel of The
Good Shepherd at the Dayton Soldiers' Home. Two of his works which remain
incomplete on account of his unexpected demise are a "Mater Dolorosa"
intended for St. Anthony's Church on Budd Street and a large crucifix for
St. James Church, White Oak, Ohio.
Henry Schroeder was a native of Neuenkirchen, Germany, where he was
born on October 26, 1837. He came to America at the age of 15, and
studied sculptoring under Mr. Fry for several years. Later he went to
Muenster, Germany, where he worked with celebrated artists, and
subsequently to Munich, where he completed a course of sculptoring at
the celebrated Munich Art Academy. The deceased leaves a widow and three
sons.
Johan Heinrich Schroeder Obituary, The Catholic Telegraph,
5 August 1898
SCHROEDER: -- On Wednesday of last week Mr. Henry Schroeder, member of
the firm of F. and H. Schroeder, altar builders and sculptors, died at
his home on Linn Street in the 61st year of his life. Mr. Schroeder was
well known throughout the country as one of the foremost sculptors of
religious subjects and builders of altars, and specimens of his work are
found in almost every church. The handsome altar at St. Francis de Sales
Church, and his last work, the altar in the Good Shepherd Chapel at
Soldier's Home, Dayton , are numbered among his best efforts.
Mr. Schroeder was born in Neukirchen, Germany, October 26, 1837. When
he was fifteen years of age he came to this country and studied
sculptoring under Mr. Frey, in this city. After a few years he returned
to Germany and for three years studied in Muenster and after that, for
two years at the famous Munich Art Academy. At the completion of these
five years of labor he returned to Cincinnati and established with his
brother the firm of F. & H. Schroeder.
Success and reputation came to him, and his name is widely known in
Catholic circles. The funeral took place last Saturday morning from St.
Mary's Chapel of the Betts Street Hospital where High Mass of Requiem
was celebrated by Rev. Wm. Scholl. A large number of relatives and
friends were present. A widow, three sons and a host of acquaintances
mourn the loss of a sincere and devoted father, husband and friend.
R.I.P.
Taken from Leading manufacturers and mechants of Cincinnati
and environs, the great railroad centre of the South and Southwest:
an epitome of the city's history and descriptive review of the
industrial enterprises that are making Cincinnati the source of
supply for the new south, 1886.
F & H. Schroeder, Sculptors and Carvers, corner Linn and Betts
Streets. Since the most remote ages of civilization religious
sculpture has been one of the primary and necessary arts. Among the
foremost exponents of the art commercially applied is the well known
firm of F. & H. Schroeder sculptors and carvers, whose large
establishment attracts the attention of all who pass the corner of Linn
and Betts streets or No. 134 Linn street, where they cut marble. In 1862
the present firm founded the business on this site, and since that time
have, by their commercial tact and personal integrity, so enhanced the
value of their connections that today they occupy two immense floors of
the large brick building in which they are situated, employ fifteen
skilled, artistic workmen to help fill the press of orders and direct
sales, and ship their beautiful goods all over the United States.
Messrs. F. & H. Schroeder are also manufacturers of all kinds of
church furniture and ornamentation, while wood carving is made a
specialty. The firm is composed of Mr. Fred. Schroeder, who is now in
the prime of life and deserved prosperity, and of Mr. Henry Schroeder,
who is a few years younger, and shares the popularity of the senior
partner of the firm. Both members are natives of Germany, but came to
America to adopt Cincinnati as their permanent home many pears ago, the
elder partner having been in the United States for over twenty-six years
and his junior over twenty-two years. Mr. H. Schroeder attends to the
sculpture and marble department. Both gentlemen are interested
personally and financially in the very highest type of religious,
charitable, and benevolent societies. They have done much in placing
Cincinnati in the advanced art circles the city now occupies.
