John Schoenknecht was born and raised in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. After attending UW-Oshkosh, he began a career as a middle school art teacher in the Waukesha, Wisconsin School District. He earned is Master’s Degree in Education from Carroll University in 1992. While in Waukesha, he became interested in the numerous mineral springs which were once located there. Collecting memorabilia and artifacts from the springs became his hobby. In 2003, he published a book called “The Great Waukesha Springs Era: 1868 – 1914.” He also co-wrote “Brewed With Waukesha Water, ” a history of the brewing industry in Waukesha. He designed a class called Art and Technology, where student were able to explore claymation. Since 1995, Shoenknecht has edited Landmark Magazine for the Waukesha County Historical Society. He has encouraged many authors by publishing their work in the quarterly magazine. After retiring in 2007, John began writing a popular history column for the Waukesha Freeman.
Schoenknecht’s hobbies include bicycle riding, running, writing, historical research, genealogy, and gardening. In 2010, Schoenknecht plans to publish a new book, “From Prairieville to Waukesha,” a compilation of his Waukesha Freeman columns.