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Biographical sketch of PETER SCHWEITZER from the book entitled, "Biographical Memoirs of Saint Clair County, Michigan," published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Publishers in Logansport, Indiana.
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This bio spans two (2) pages: 345-346
PETER SCHWEITZER
Success in this life comes to the deserving. It is an axiom demonstrated by all human experience than (sic) a man gets out of life what he puts into it, plus a reasonable interest on the investment. The individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune cannot be called a successful man. He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases its value, is successful in proportion as he adds to the amount of his possessions. But the man who starts in the world with no inheritance save that which has been given him by the omnipotent Father and by his own unaided efforts, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead and carves a name for himself among the honored of the world, achieves success such as those who have inheritances can neither understand nor appreciate. To this class belong many of those who are the bone and sinew of our country, and to them is due to stability of our government and her institutions.
Peter Schweitzer was born in Lorraine, Germany (then France), August 6, 1834, the son of John and Sophia (Flickinger) Schweitzer, both also of Lorraine. John Schweitzer was a farmer in the old country and his children, two in number, Peter and Elizabeth, deceased, were reared among the scenes of rural life, where the son grew up hand in hand with Nature, the great teacher of the universe. The latter lived on his father’s farm until he was twenty years old, when he came to America. He left Lorraine in 1854, and after a voyage of thirty-two days in a sailing vessel landed in New York city, where he remained but a short time, when he came to Buffalo, New York. Here he remained for nearly eight years, working on farms and doing garden work until 1860, when he came to Port Huron, Michigan, where he has since resided. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Zimmer in 1858. She was a native of Germany, having been born in Hamburg, December 18, 1829. She came to America in 1853, landing in New York city, where she remained for seven months, and then went to Buffalo, New York, where she met and married the subject.
Two years after his marriage Peter Schweitzer and wife came to Port Huron, Michigan, where they resided for fifteen years. He was employed for twenty-two years by the firm of A. & H. Fish, lumber merchants, mainly in their yards, when he decided to become a farmer. In 1876 he located on his present farm, a sixty-acre tract, but since his first purchase he has added to it until now he owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land. He has made all the improvements, building fences and re-modeling the buildings, and now has a beautiful home. Since he became the proprietor of this land he has devoted his time to general farming, and raises all kinds of grain and hay, besides cattle, hogs and horses. He also has given much attention to the smaller fruits, and his orchards show evidence of the time and attention that have been bestowed upon them. Mr. Schweitzer and wife are the parents of three children, Peter and John, both farmers, living at home, and Georgia, who died at the age of two years and three months. The subject has always been identified with the progressive element of his community, and was for twenty years a member of the board of school directors. He has also been supervisor of Port Huron township for six years, still filling that responsible position. The Republican party has always counted him as one of its most loyal supporters, and one that can be depended upon to take part in the work of the party. He and wife are members of St. John’s German Evangelical church at Port Huron. They started in life very poor, but by industry and courage have gained for themselves an enviable competence. Their success has been in proportion to what they have put into life, and they are the possessors of many warm friendships throughout the country in which they reside.
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PLEASE NOTE: I do not have any personal interest in researching the SCHWEITZER surname or the St. Clair county, Michigan location. I am merely posting a select number of the biographical sketches found in the above-referenced book *upon specific written request* as a service to the genealogical community. Therefore, please do not contact me with regard to research interests in the above. Thank you.
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