Muskego Historical Society

John Christian Schuet was born January 4, 1840 in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany to Christian and Mary Zarmstorf Schuet. He had two sisters, one who died in Germany prior to the family journey to America and the other who died in 1905. He went to school in Germany and  was two year a student at Darugn high School.
He came to America in 1857 with his father's family. The journey to New York took five weeks. From New York they traveled by water to Albany and then by railroad to Milwaukee. 
From Milwaukee they moved to a log cabin near their friend, Jacob Tess. John's parents purchased five acres and built a hotel and store (1861-1862). John C. clerked in a grocery store in Milwaukee almost since the day the family arrived. He joined his family in Muskego in the fall of 1859 and worked in the store of Jacob Tess. During these three weeks he attended school and learned to read. Then in the spring of 1860 he went to St. Louis, Missouri to further engage in the grocery business. The fall of 1861 he returned to Wisconsin to help his parents in their new business. John C. increased the land holdings to 109 acres on Big Muskego Lake, 40 acres in Sections 16 & 17, 40 acres in Section 9 and 275 acres that is currently under water when the lake was enlarged because of a dam at the outlet.

John C. was a trusted member of the community. 
~1863 Appointed Postmaster 
~1864 (September until July of 1865)-Served in the Civil War. He took part in the engagements at Thatcher's Run, Gravelly Run, Five Forks, and John was with Sheridan at the pursuit and surrender of General Lee
~1868 John purchased additional land to the east of his five acres. They had the Muskego Lake House Hotel and Store. They developed the land for swimming, fishing, boat rentals, an ice cream stand, hotel rooms, and dancing.

~1871-1872 Elected County Clerk
~1883-1884 Elected Register of Deeds
~1872 Married Caroline (Carrie) Hahn from Franklin, Wisconsin
~1873 (August 12th) their daughter Hattie was born. She died the on April 24, 1873.
~1874 (April 24) their son Otto was born.
~1875 (September 8) Albert was born. This son died on April 3, 1876.
~1877 Elected Chairman of Muskego 
~ 1877 (October 27) George was born
~ 1878 (May 18) Frank was born
~1880 (September 4) Louella was born
~1880 Donated one acre of land for Muskego's first cemetery
~1882 John's father, Christian, passed away and was buried in the cemetery (Muskego Centre Cemetery)
~1888 John's mother, Mary, passed away and was buried in the cemetery (Muskego Centre Cemetery)
~1886 (December 9) their youngest child, Etna, was born
~1913 (December 26) Passed away; Carrie continued to work the resort business with the help of Otto, George, and Frank.

Carrie died in 1926. After her death the estate was sold.

He was a prominent member of the community and in politics he was known as "The King of Muskego."


~A Brief History of the Schuet Family by Joan Schuet Bauman, John C. Schuet's great granddaughter, provided many important details.
~Portrait and Biographical Record
~Findagrave.com