Schooler - James W.
Source: Biographical History of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski Counties, Indiana. Lewis Publishing Company 1899. Page 934-935
James W. Schooler, a member of the firm of Wilgus & Schooler, engaged in the real-estate, loan and insurance business in Lafayette, is also a prominent political leader and holds the position of secretary of the city central committee. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 17, 1863, a son of William W. and Anna (Sullivan) Schooler, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the alter of London, England. In the parental family were three children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. He came to Indiana with his parents at an early day and they settled on a farm near Crawfordsville, where William grew to manhood and was married. When the civil war broke out he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was under the command of the well known writer, General Lew Wallace. With his regiment Mr. Schooler saw active service through the famous Atlanta campaign, and his record is that of a brave, faithful soldier. When the war was over he returned to his family on the old home place. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in July, 1889, aged forty-four years. She was an estimable woman and a devout Catholic. The father is still living and is farming in Montgomery county. Mr. Schooler's paternal grandfather, also named William, is a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. He was a pioneer settler of Montgomery County, Indiana, where he held the offices of sheriff and treasurer of the county. He had a family of five sons and one daughter and is living, at a venerable age. On the maternal side Mr. Schooler's grandfather Sullivan was born in Ireland and came to America at an early day, settling on a farm in Montgomery county, near Crawfordsville. He had but one child, Anna, who became the mother of our subject. James W. Schooler was not quite two years old when his parents came to Lafayette, and in that city he was reared and educated. He attended the parochial school until thirteen years old, then clerked for seven years in a dry goods store and afterward opened a restaurant, which he carried on for nearly three years. For a short time after this he was employed in Ruger's bakery. In 1849 he formed a partnership with William Wilgus in the real estate and loan and insurance business, in which he is still engaged. On February 25, 1884, Mr. Schooler was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Brown, daughter of Thomas E. and Martha Brown, of Delphi. Two children, William and James, have been born of this union. Mr. and Mrs. Schooler are worthy members of the Catholic church and Mr. Schooler belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is a stanch Democrat and is always ready to work for his party, but, contrary to the habit of many politicians, he has never been known to say an unkind word of his opponents. Mr. Schooler is a very popular man and is deserving of the high esteem of those who have watched his career as boy and man. He has a pleasant home in which his many friends are always made welcome. -