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Belgians in the Civil War

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BELGIANS IN AMERICA:    Biographies of Belgian settlers  

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.