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Joseph Schlecter, a well-known and prominent farmer of Alexandria township, Douglas county, was born in Minneapolis on
June 14, 1857, the son of John and Margaret (Kliers) Schlechter, natives of Belgium and Germany,
respectively. They received their education in the schools of their native countries. Some years after their marriage they decided
to locate in America, where they might have a better chance to obtain a home for themselves and their family-. They landed in the
United States in 1857 and came direct to Minnesota, locating in Hennepin county, where the wife died in September, 1859. In 1864
Joseph(John!) Schlechter, enlisted in Company K. Fifth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of
the Civil War. He saw much active service and was wounded at the battle of Nashville. At the close of the war he returned to his
farm in Carver county, Minnesota, where he died in 1883. His health had become impaired, due to the exposure during his service in
the army, and he never regained his former strength. He and his wife were the parents of four children, Mary,
Catherine. Joseph and Theresa. The family were devout members of the Catholie church and took much interest in religion work.
Politically, Mr. Schlechter was identified with the Republican party.
Joseph Schlechter received his education in the public schools of Carver County Minnesota. His educational advantages were very
limited and he taught himself to read and write English and German. The schools of the county at that time were poorly taught and
far distant from the homes of those early settlers. As a lad and young man he assisted his father with the work on the farm. After
the death of the father, he moved to Waconia, where he lived for a number of year...
Source : History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and
institutions; Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1916, 1269 pgs.