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A History of the Schwab Family and Click Here to View a Printable Tour Brochure The first record of the Schwabs is of John (Johan) and Anna Schwab who left Havre, Switzerland and arrived in Cape Girardeau County in 1852.
One of the children, son John (1845-1911) was 7 years old when he came to America. He worked for the Pilot Knob Iron Company, beginning at the age of 16. Later, he moved to Graniteville where he opened a merchantile store, eventually running two such stores. In 1882, John moved to Ironton and engaged in the milling business as proprietor of the Ironton Manufacturing co. That building stood close to where the First State Community Bank drive-thru sits today. In 1865, John Schwab married Louisa Ranft (1845-1893). To this union 10 children were born. One son, Augustus (1879-1929), was the father of Clara and Lucile (records show this spelling) Schwab. John built the "Schwab House" about 1884. It remained the home of the Schwab family until the death of their niece, Mildred. Lucile (1895-1984) and Clara (1895-1983) along with their niece, Mildred, were the last of the Schwab family to live in the home. Clara Schwab worked at the Iron County Courthouse for over 50 years. Lucile taught school for almost 50 years, most of them in the old Ironton schools. The home was filled with antique furniture and beautiful old dishes. Many cats found a home here also. From time to time, farm children from around the area boarded with the Schwabs so they could attend school. Most of the Schwab family belonged to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pilot Knob. Clara and Lucile rarely drove very far, but they could be seen driving to the church for many functions. Most of the Schwab descendants are buried in the Schwab family cemetery on the old farm west of Pilot Knob. Robbie and Ellie Huff bought the house in Nov., 2000. The Schwab home is a wonderful example of the fine work done by Rob Huff Construction. ROBBIE AND ELLIE HAVE RESTORED SEVERAL HOMES FROM THE 1800s AND EARLY 1900s TO THEIR ORIGINAL GRANDEUR. Presently, the Schwab House is the home of Arcadia Valley Realty and opened in January, 2001. During the restoration of the home, the foundation needed some serious re-leveling, and much of the floors are still a little unlevel as you can see during your visit. Notice the old threshold between the large office and the conference room. It was almost removed by mistake, but fortunately was saved. The hardwood floors in Ellie's office and the larger office are examples of the beautiful work done by craftsmen of the era. The large floor shows a wonderful wood pattern built into the original home. When cleaning that floor of several layers of coverings, Robbie found newsprint from the early 1900s. We, here at Arcadia Valley Realty are so glad to have you visit our home away from home. It's a wonderful working environment and hopefully will live on for another 100 years. Absent, unfortunately, of its present occupants. |
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They moved to Pilot Knob in 1856 where John worked in the mines until the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted in the "Home Guards", and served as a Captain in the battle of Pilot Knob. John and Anna had 10 children. John died on July 13, 1897 and Anna preceded him, passing away July 1, 1880.
