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DR. HERMAN L. SCHAEFER
succeeded his father in the practice of medicine in West Salem in 1891, and in the years that have elapsed

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has most creditably carried on the reputation of that worthy gentleman. Born in West Salem, Edwards county, on January 20, 1869, Dr. Schaefer is the son of Dr. Herman M. and Albertine (Hedrick) Schaefer. The father was a native of Germany, born in that country in 1820. He immigrated to America in 1848, previous to which he had served in the Franco-Prussian war in the capacity of army surgeon. When he located in West Salem, then a mere village with the surrounding country but thinly settled, he began the practice of his profession, which he continued throughout the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1892, at West Salem. His wife was a daughter of George Hedrick, a native of North Carolina, who was an early pioneer. of Edwards county. She was born near West Salem in 1833, and she passed away in 1898. Thirteen children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Herman Schaefer, of whom seven are still living. The names of the children are: George, Paul, Louisa, all three deceased; Mrs. Anna Brown; Mrs. Lucy Dollahon; Mrs. Clara Rominger; Mrs. Lora Clodfetted; Henry, deceased; Mrs. Emily Lilkis; Alice; Herman; Ellen, deceased; and Charles, also deceased.

Dr. Schaefer was educated in the common schools of West Salem, and then entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, in 1888, and was graduated from its medical department in 1891. He commenced the practice of his profession in the same year, and upon his father's demise in 1892 continued in the practice already established by him. In addition thereto he has drawn to himself a clientele that is representative of the best in West Salem, and he has in every way demonstrated his fitness to carry on the work of his father. He is local surgeon for the Illinois Central Railroad.

Dr. Schaefer is a member of the County, State and American Medical Associations, and is a close and careful student of all that tends to advance him in his profession. He is a Republican in his political faith, and is a member of the Moravian church. In a fraternal way he affiliates with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen.

Dr. Schaefer has been twice married. In 1894 he was married to Miss Hattie Hallbeck, a daughter of P. J. Hallbeck. She died in 1897. His second marriage took place in 1907, when he married Inez Seibert, a daughter of Daniel Seibert, of West Salem.