He served as assistant recorder of deeds of St. Clair County, Illinois from 1928 to 1930.

Schaefer was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-third and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1943).

He served as member of the board of directors of Griesediech-Western Brewery Co., Belleville, Illinois, at the time of his death.

He was interred in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, Illinois.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress