Former Republican congressman Henry Carl Schadeberg was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on October 12, 1913. He attended local schools and graduated from high school in 1931. Schadeberg's father was a bricklayer, and he followed his father's trade for a short time, a fact which he always proudly listed in his official biographies. In 1932 Schadeberg enrolled briefly at the University of Wisconsin. In the fall of 1934 he enrolled at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, graduating in 1938 with majors in economics and sociology.
Even before graduation Schadeberg had decided upon a career in the ministry, and from 1936 through 1938 he served student parishes in East Troy, Wisconsin. From 1938 through 1941 he studied at Barrett Biblical Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and while a seminarian served churches in Lyons and Oconto, Wisconsin. After his ordination Schadeberg was pastor for the Evansville-Orfordville Methodist circuit.
During World War II Schadeberg was senior chaplain at the Naval Reserve ammunition depot in St. Julien Creek, Virginia, and chaplain on board the U.S.S. Louisville in the Pacific. From the end of the war until his release from active duty he was senior chaplain, Commander, Marianas, Guam. In 1946 he accepted a call from the Plymouth Congregational Church in Burlington, Wisconsin, which he continued to serve until 1961. This pastorate was briefly interrupted by his recall to active duty in March, 1952, to serve as senior chaplain at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bainbridge, Maryland. As a minister in Burlington he continued to be active in the Naval Reserves, serving as chaplain to the Naval Reserve training center in Racine. He was also post chaplain for the Burlington American Legion post and state chaplain for the American Legion (1957-1958). Other civic activities included the Military Chaplains Association, Boy Scouts, Rotary, and Kiwanis.
In 1960 Schadeberg made his first attempt at elective office and was successful in defeating the incumbent congressman Gerald Flynn. In 1962 he again defeated Flynn, but in the face of national Republican losses in 1964 Schadeberg was defeated by Democratic Lynn Stalbaum. In 1966 and 1968 Schadeberg again faced Stalbaum but defeated him in both contests. In 1970 Schadeberg was defeated by Les Aspin.
In Congress Schadeberg served on the Veterans Affairs, Un-American Activities, Public Works, and Merchant Marine and Fisheries committees. During his four terms Schadeberg was rated one of the most conservative members of the Wisconsin delegation. He was best known for his legislation in opposition to pornography and for his strong support of the U.S. military effort in Vietnam.
During the 1965-1966 period when he was out of office, Schadeberg established the Research and Public Affairs Service in Burlington which issued Current and Mainstream, two legislative bulletins for private industry. After leaving Congress he served as advisor to the White House Conference on Aging and as pastor to the First Congregational Church in Greenville, Michigan. He currently resides in Rockbridge, Virginia.
