My Genealogy Hound

OSCAR D. SCHAEFFER, M. D., enjoys a large practice in Freemansburg, Northampton County, and is a young man who is rapidly pushing his way to the front ranks of his profession. A native of Lehigh County, his birth there occurred March 1, 1860. His parents are Charles and Henrietta (Steckel) Schaeffer, residents of Whitehall, Lehigh County, at the present time. The father is a native of Northampton County, while the mother’s birth took place in Lehigh County. The great-grandfather of our subject on the paternal side was a tanner by occupation and one of the earliest settlers in the vicinity of Klecknersville, Pa. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Steckel, was one of the pioneers of Lehigh County, his home being near Egypt. Both families were prominent in the development of this region and were honest, industrious farmers.

Dr. Schaeffer passed his boyhood on his father’s farm in Lehigh County and received a liberal education. He was a student for a time in the Whitehall public schools, and later at the Coplay High School and Weaversville Academy. On the completion of his studies he engaged in teaching, and became a successful educator, being in charge for seven successive winter terms of schools in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. In addition to carrying on his school he found time to pursue his medical studies, for he had determined to adopt that profession. With Dr. P. E. Stem as a tutor he made good progress, the Doctor being of great assistance to him in many ways. Dr. Stem was formerly a resident of Coplay, but now makes his home in South Bethlehem. In 1885 the subject of this sketch was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., on the completion of a three-years course at that justly celebrated institution. To himself he owes his education and the property he has acquired, for he has been dependent upon his own resources since a boy and has made the most of his opportunities. He has always been ambitious, and earned the money with which to make his way through college. Success has attended his efforts, for he has built up a large practice, which is constantly increasing.

In a social way Dr. Schaeffer is identified with Star Castle No. 108, Knights of the Golden Eagle at Freemansburg. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and is a member and President of the Town Council. Religiously he holds membership with the Reformed Church of this place and takes an active part in all movements having for their object the betterment of his fellow-men.