24 Facts About Harold Schafer

Harold Schafer was a North Dakota businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Gold Seal Company, the original maker of Mr Bubble.

Harold Schafer was a major benefactor in the tourist town of Medora, North Dakota and the Medora Musical.

Harold Schafer's brother Gordon was born in 1911, his sister Ethelwyn in 1916.

Harold Schafer spoke only German at home until he went to elementary school.

Harold Schafer next spent a considerable period of time with his mother's family near Rosebud, South Dakota.

In 1924, when Schafer was 12 years old, his father left the family and Harold moved back to Bismarck to live with his mother.

In Glen Ullin he worked on a threshing crew, and by the time he was back in Bismarck and graduating from high school, Harold Schafer did odd jobs at the Dahl clothing store, was an usher at the Capitol Theater, a bellhop at the Patterson Hotel, and an attendant at the Standard Oil Service Station.

Harold Schafer delivered milk, shoveled snow and was offered a job as a salesman at Bergeson's clothing store.

In 1929, Harold Schafer enrolled at the North Dakota State Agricultural College in Fargo.

Harold Schafer continued to work at multiple jobs and his employment included work as a salesman, this time at the Globe Clothing Company.

Harold Schafer left college after one year and hit the road as a traveling salesman.

Harold Schafer was forced to take a job at a clothing store in Glasgow, Montana, almost immediately after his first wedding but, by January 1,1936, he was back in Bismarck and working for Vantine's Paint and Glass.

Harold Schafer switched to Fargo Glass and Paint in November 1936 and then worked for that company as a traveling salesman for several years.

In 1942, Harold Schafer started packaging and selling a product he called Gold Seal Floor Wax.

Harold Schafer personally typed the labels by hand and taped them onto old cans in his basement and, thus, Gold Seal Company was born.

In 1943, his Gold Seal Company made a profit of $901.02, and Harold Schafer borrowed money from friends to keep going.

Harold Schafer grew modestly at first but, in 1945 introduced a new product called Glass Wax.

Harold Schafer was honored for this benefaction with the Rough Rider Award, North Dakota's highest civilian honor.

Harold Schafer purchased the Rough Riders Hotel and the Ferris Store in 1962 and began renovating them in 1963.

Harold Schafer was enthralled with Medora and its fascinating history, and continued to pour his money and his efforts into this project.

On May 9,1965, Harold Schafer married Sheila Barbara Chinn Limond.

Harold Schafer had three children - Mark, Michelle, and Maureen.

Harold Schafer was the father of Ed Schafer who was the former United States Secretary of Agriculture and North Dakota governor.

Harold Schafer died December 2,2001, in a Bismarck hospital after an extended illness, aged 89.