Schmidt, Robert Frederick 1869 - 1918
SCHMIDT, HARTMAN, BEER, KATSCHKOWSKY, KLEINPELL, JEFFERS
Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/7/2010 at 07:39:43
R.F. Schmidt, a prominent citizen of Elkader, died at his home in that city, July 13th, after a very short and what had been considered a light illness. The afternoon of the day before his death, he submitted to what was considered a minor operation on his throat, but he never recovered from the effects of the anasthetic, and passed away shortly after midnight. He was only 48 years of age at the time of his death, but he had made a host of friends and apparently has been called in the very prime of his usefulness. As a Mason he was a member of Elkader Lodge No. 72, Harmony Chapter No. 41 R. A. M. Charity Chapter No. 152 O. E. S. and De Molay Consistory No. 1 of the Scottish Rite. He was buried with Masonic honors by his lodge, with pall bearers selected from the Scottish Rite members of the fraternity.
~Freemasons, Grand Lodge Bulletin, October, 1918, "OUR DEAD"
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Added by Reid R. Johnson, 11/21/2021:
Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 18 July 1918.
This community was inexpressibly shocked when, on Saturday morning, July 13th, the sad news became known that the well known Elkader citizen, R. F. Schmidt, had passed away a few minutes after midnight the night before. Mr. Schmidt had not been sick, or at least what was considered dangerously sick, and he had submitted to what was considered a minor operation on his throat. He never regained consciousness after the anasthetic had been administered, which was some time in the afternoon.
Robert Frederick Schmidt was born at Elkader, Iowa, on Dec. 15th, 1869, being one of thirteen children born to John and Caroline (Hartman) Schmidt, both of whom, together with seven of the children, have preceded him in death.
At an early age Robert Schmidt, the subject of this sketch, was baptized into the Ev. Friedens church by the late Rev. Seifert. He was a gifted musician, and from his teen age he sang in various musical organizations and was a faithful member of the church choir of the Evangelical church, of which he was a member to the very last.
He attended the Elkader high school until early manhood, when he took up the trade of millwright in the Elkader Mills, owned and operated by his father and his uncle, Wolfgang Schmidt. Later, together with his cousins, F. H. and C. G. Schmidt, he took over this business, which was operated for years under the firm name of Schmidt Bros. & Co. To this was later added the Elkader Light & Power Co., which has since been incorporated and is now known as Elkader Light and Power Co. This business has been and is one of the most vital to the town of Elkader and its surrounding territory for many years.
On Jan. 02, 1895, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Miss Ella Beer, of Elkader, who survives him. To this union were born three children: Arthur Herald, Florence Madelyn and Julian Blasius, all of whom survive him and are still at home.
Mr. Schmidt was member of Elkader Lodge No. 72, A.F. & A.M.; Harmony Chapter No. 41, R.A.M.; DeMolay Consistory No. 1, Scottish Rite Masons; Charity Chapter No. 152, O.E.S.; Mystic Camp No. 139, M.W.A.; Costigan Chapel No. 963, Fraternal Aid Union, and Homestead No. 269, B.A.Y. Besides these benevolent and fraternal organizations, Mr. Schmidt has been, practically all his life, an active member of the various band organizations. He was still identified with the band at the time of his death.
At the time of his death he was 48 years, 6 months and 28 days of age, and is survived by his faithful wife and companion and three children; also two brothers, namely: John C. Schmidt and Henry Schmidt, both of Seattle, Wash., and three sisters, Mrs. Pauline Katschkowsky, Mrs. Minnie Kleinpell and Mrs. Elizabeth Jeffers, all of Elkader. A large number of other relatives and host of friends mourn with the immediate family.
The first arrangements for the funeral contemplated the services being held in the church of his profession and life membership, but owing to the wide acquaintance and the known desire of so many to honor his memory, it was decided on Monday that the services should be held in the opera house, so that all could attend who wanted to. Consequently short services were held at the house at 1:30 on Tuesday, followed by public services at the opera house which was filled to its capacity. The remains were in charge of the local Masons, with pall bearers selected from among Scottish Rite Masons of his fraternity. Rev. C. H. Franke, his pastor, conducted the services and the Evangelical choir rendered special music for the occasion. Floral offerings were beautiful and profuse, showing the esteem and wide friendship the deceased commanded. Besides the Masons, the Elkader band attended the funeral in a body. Interment was in the East Side cemetery.
Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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