Schroeder Saddle Co.

Saddle Trees:

The internal wooden skeletons of saddles. Saddle makers buy saddle trees from saddle tree manufacturers and finish the saddles by cutting, fitting, and sewing tanned leather around the tree.

INTRODUCTION

Although Madison, Indiana was important hub of the saddle tree industry during the late 19th century (its twelve shops made over 150,000 trees in 1879), there were few local saddle makers. The majority of saddle trees produced in this city were marketed to saddle makers through flyers, catalogs, and advertisements in trade publications.

Two generations of the John Benedict "Ben" Schroeder family made and sold thousands of saddle trees to saddle makers throughout the United States, Canada and South America between 1878 and 1972. The No. 4 Catalog was the final sales piece used by the Schroeder company, the culmination of 50 years of marketing Schroeder-made products.

The catalog has now been reproduced, and is available for a nominal charge by contacting Historic Madison. This reproduction catalog was made directly from an original. In addition, the 1920s-era colored art work of the first six saddle trees was used to recreate crisp, accurate images. These valuable resources are part of the Schroeder Collection, owned by Historic Madison Foundation, Inc., containing thousands of business and personal records. It is believed to be the most complete collection of historic saddle tree industry documents in the nation.

THE NO. 4 CATALOG

The catalog was produced in 1931, a bad time for the trade. By then, the automobile had eliminated the horse as the main form of personal transportation, forcing many saddle tree makers out of business. Others succumbed to the Great Depression. The No. 4 Catalog demonstrated that the Schroeder Company remained active, despite the uncertain times. Thirty models are illustrated, representative of the 250 styles crafted in the Schroeder plant. Six are shown in color on the first two pages.

The yellow trees were hide covered, a costly process of hand stitching wet rawhide around the wooden frames for added strength. The stitching on the four hide-covered trees illustrated is clearly seen. Finished trees of this type were painted yellow to prevent rot and insect damage. These tough saddle trees were used in cowboy saddles because they endured the rigors of roping and other range work without breaking.

The two red trees were covered with canvas, a cheaper alternative to animal hide. These trees were wrapped, mummy-like, in fabric dipped in glue and painted with red lead as a preservative. Canvas covered trees were used in saddles that were not subject to the stresses of cowboy life.

A price list in the back of the catalog shows the cost of the trees by the,, dozen. The cheapest model, 319, cost $1.33 each, while the most expensive model sold for $11.21 per tree. Wooden saddle trees today start at $125 each. (Many modern trees are plastic. These cost from $30 to $60 per tree.

Section of price list from Catalog #4

Also illustrated are other products made or marketed by the Schroeder firm, including pack saddles, pack saddle braces and stirrups.

THE SCHROEDER FAMILY

John Benedict "Ben" Schroeder was a German immigrant who realized the American dream. Born in Prussia in 1848, he came to the United States during the Civil War in 1864. In 1871 he put down roots in Madison, Indiana. He learned his trade in John Schramm's Walnut Street saddle tree shop. In 1878 Ben bought land and built his factory.

Ben married Elizabeth Backus, in 1882 and converted the factory into a house. He moved the shop into a wood frame building in the backyard. Between 1883 and 1897, the couple had eight children. Additions to the residence were made in 1898 and 1903 to accommodate the growing family. During this time he also added a steam engine and woodworking machinery to his expanding factory.

Ben was well know in the community. He was a founding member of the first German Building and Aid Association of Madison, formed in 1871 to help "needy and proper persons" buy land and build houses. He was an active member of the St. Peter's an organization dedicated to assisting German Catholics in need. He served as a city councilman from 1904 until his untimely death in 1909.

Elizabeth Schroeder and her older children managed the business after Ben died. An offer to buy the company in 1911 by an out-of-town firm was rejected, as was the proposal to combine all manufacturers into a saddle tree monopoly.

In 1919, Elizabeth died and her six surviving children, Leo, John, Joseph, Charles, Pauline, and Gertrude incorporated the business in memory of their father. Pauline was married and lived in Michigan, but her brothers and sister remained at home and worked in the shop. In 1920 a fire nearly destroyed the factory and in 1921 John left the firm.

The family survived an industry-wide downturn during the 1920's and the economic hardships of the Great Depression by manufacturing clothespins, stirrups, lawn furniture and hames to counteract the declining demand for saddle trees. They used family-owned woodlands to supply logs for the business and modified the factory to meet these changing needs.

During the 1940's, demand for saddle trees increased, so other product lines were dropped. In the 1950's, demand slackened and few saddle trees were made.

Advancing age took its toll. Leo died in 1956. Gertrude followed in 1962 after a long illness. Charles passed away in 1965, leaving Joseph alone to continue the business. An accident on a winter's day in 1972 brought an end to his life. A chapter in American history ended as well, when the nation's last 19th century saddle tree factory closed its doors forever.