William Donald Schaefer - Early Life and Career

Early Life and Career

Schaefer was born in Baltimore, Maryland to William Henry and Tululu Irene Schaefer, Lutherans of German descent, on November 2, 1921. He spent his childhood at 620 Edgewood Street in the Edmondson Village of Baltimore. He received early education in Baltimore's public schools, and later graduated from Baltimore City College in 1939. Schaefer received an LL.B. degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1942 and an LL.M. in 1954. He was a member of the Order of DeMolay in Baltimore as a youth. He was later inducted into the DeMolay International Hall of Fame. Governor Schaefer was also a Freemason and a member of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Maryland. He was also a member of Howard Lodge No. 101 in Elkridge, Maryland.

When the United States entered World War II, Schaefer joined the United States Army and achieved officer rank, taking charge of administering hospitals in England and the rest of Europe. He remained in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1979, when he retired with the rank of colonel.

Schaefer resumed his legal career afterwards, practicing real estate law. He earned a Master of Law degree in 1954 from the University of Baltimore School of Law and formed a general practice law firm with two colleagues. Except for his military service, he lived unmarried with his mother in two different very plain West Baltimore row-houses all his life, until moving to the Governor's Mansion at age 65.

Schaefer ran for a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1950 and again in 1954 and lost both elections. He was successful in his campaign for a seat on the Baltimore City Council in 1955 when his concern for city planning and housing issues propelled him to a seat representing the 5th District. In 1967, Schaefer ran successfully for Baltimore City Council president and, four years later, he ran successfully for the mayor's office.