John Schrank, the man who attempted to assassinate Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, was a Bavarian-born saloonkeeper whose life was marked by a series of personal tragedies and a growing sense of isolation. Born in Erding, Bavaria, on March 5, 1876, Schrank emigrated to the United States at the age of nine. His early life in America was difficult, as both of his parents died shortly after their arrival, leaving him to be raised by his uncle, a New York
tavern owner and landlord. This early loss set a pattern of hardship that would continue to shape his adult life and ultimately lead him down a path of profound distress.
Early Life, Loss, and Inheritance
Schrank's aunt and uncle, who had taken him in, eventually passed away, leaving him valuable properties. The expectation was that this inheritance would allow him to live a quiet and peaceful life. However, these losses were deeply impactful for Schrank, who viewed his aunt and uncle as a second set of parents. Compounding his grief was the death of his first and only girlfriend, Emily Ziegler, who perished in the General Slocum disaster on New York's East River. This series of profound personal losses left Schrank heartbroken and seemingly adrift.
Following these tragedies, Schrank sold the inherited properties and began a period of wandering along the East Coast for several years. During this time, he became increasingly religious and developed into a fluent Bible scholar. His debating skills on religious topics were well-known in the watering holes and public parks of his neighborhood. He also wrote spare and vivid poetry, suggesting a complex inner life. Despite spending a great deal of time walking city streets at night, he caused no documented trouble during this period, indicating a quiet, if troubled, existence before the assassination attempt.
Isolation and Decline Leading to the Attempt
Schrank's life continued its downward spiral into isolation. After his uncle's death, he reportedly kept no known social contacts and became increasingly forlorn and depressed. He was described as a disconnected and awkward man who did not associate with other people. This period also saw him begin to drink heavily, with his daily intake averaging five pints of beer, and he took up smoking cigars, sometimes as many as six a day. These habits further illustrate a man struggling with his circumstances and seeking solace in unhealthy ways.
With a sizable amount of money from his inheritance but no steady employment, Schrank attempted to invest in real estate and the insurance sector in January 1912. This venture proved unsuccessful within a month, leading him to fall behind on his own mortgage payments and amass a significant debt. He briefly found work as a waiter, lunchman, and porter, but his employers noted his "peculiarities" and "inability to stand any kind of discipline." His last known employment was as a translator for a local German-language newspaper, a stark contrast to the expectations of a peaceful life his inheritance once promised. These mounting failures and his deep-seated personal losses likely contributed to the mental state that led to his desperate act against Theodore Roosevelt.
