John Schoenauer was born in Berne, Switzerland on April 19, 1828. He emigrated to America with his brother Frederic and his wife Anna Schupbach. According to descendants of Frederic, when the three landed in the states the emigration office told John to change the spelling of his name. Therefore we have some descendants with the family name spelled, "Schonauer". John and Anna settled in Holmes County, Ohio. According to the Whitley County census, John and Anna had 11 children 4 of which died at an early age. Upon traveling to the Midwest the couple first settled in Salt Creek Township, near Middleton. John found work as a day laborer. In 1855 he purchased 40 acres of his present farm. John was a hard worker and eventually accumulated 240 acres.
John was a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He also served as a school director and supervisor. The chosen religion was Protestant.
Children of John and Anna Schonauer
Mary born about 1851
John Adolph borne about 1855 married Elizabeth Zucher who was born in Switzerland
children : Daniel E born 1898,
Daniel married Nellie and they had 4 children: Elwood, Dorotha R, Barbara, Dewayne, (Duey Schoenauer's Father) who lives in Payne, Ohio.
Sarah Anne born 1856 and died at age 6 unknown death
Harvey Schoenauer born abouth 1859
George Henry born about 1859 and married Rachel Croskey
resided in Coshocton and Fredericktown Ohio
Emma born 1860 married Ellsworth Matheyn
Anne elizabeth born 1861 died at age 11 unkown death
Ida born 1862 died at age 3 unkown death
Elena born 11, 1862 in Killbuck, Holmes County Ohio married David McKelvey
she died in Hardin County Ohio
children : Illa, Zola, Hobart, Jack and Ivey
Robert Edward born 1865 married Elnora Brink
children : Weldon, Ernie, Laverna, Clarence, Lola, Sadie, Gifford
Joseph Franklin born 1868 and possibly died at age 2 according to the 1870 census
Albert Willian born 1869 married Pearl Durler on November ,20, 1890 Albert died in 1950
children : Walter, Lloyd, Selma H born, 1895, John A born 1897, Charles born 1899, Ralph S born 1902, Wayne born 1904, Paul F born 1908
Albert and Pearl inherited the family farm. They started a peach orchard which became a show place. A 5 foot picture of the farm was on display in the SWCD (office in Millersburg, Ohio.
there are many many more great grandchildren of John and Anna, however this is the begining of an ongoing list.
I spoke to Dorotha daughter of Daniel, son of John A who is the son of John Schonauer. She told me a story about her Great Grandfather John. When he and his wife Anna first settled in Whitley County the Miami Indians were still very plentiful. They were friendly and she went on to explain that the indians would come by and wake up John in the middle of the night to go and dance.
Another story I recieved was about the prounciation of the "Schoenauer" name. The Old Pennsylvania Dutch pronounced it as "Shin-auer" which is German. However the Swiss pronounce it as "Shoe-nauer"
Please sign the Guest book and provide any futher information that would benefit our Family.
I spoke to Dorotha "Schoenauer" who is the grandaughter of John A. She is the bother of Dwayne who moved to Payne Ohio and is the father of "Duey Schoenauer".
John Schonauer
Family Tree
 | ||||||
