Born in Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois, Schaefer attended the public schools, Western Military Academy, Alton, Illinois, and the University of Illinois. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1910.
Schaefer was born in Belleville, Illinois, and received his education through a combination of public schools, military academy, and university. He went on to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis in 1910.