Schmidt, John Blasius 1834 - 1900

SCHMIDT, HARTMANN, KATSCHKOWSKY, KLEINPELL, HAGENSICK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/2/2020 at 19:21:50

Elkader Register, Thur., 24 May 1900. Local News columns.

John Blasius Schmidt.

As had been foreshadowed in our last issue, Mr. J. B. Schmidt, at about 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon, May 17th, 1900, sank into the sleep that knows no awakening. He was born Feb. 10th, 1834, in Weissenstadt, Bayern, Germany. He came to the United States in 1837 with his parents and settled in New Bremen, Ohio. In 1848 the family came to Clayton county and located in Read twp., near Clayton Center, where the father had purchased a farm of several hundred acres, which he worked with the aid of his sons, J. B. being the eldest.

In 1859 Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Hartmann. This union was blessed with thirteen children, of which only six with the wife and mother survive; Paulina, wife of Herman Katschkowsky, of Boardman twp.; John C., of Lincoln, Neb.; Wilhelmina, wife of W. F. Kleinpell; Robt. F., Henry and Lizzie, of Elkader. Four brothers, Fred, Henry Christopher, of Lincoln, Neb., and John of ____, Kan., and one sister, Mrs. J. C. Hagensick, of Read, mourn the loss of a beloved brother.

In 1865 the deceased in company with his brother Wolfgang established the Elkader brewery which proved a successful venture for twenty years when the laws of Iowa caused them to cease operating.

In 1876 the two brothers, J. B. and Wolfgang, became interested in the Elkader Roller Mill, and in 1880 became the sole owners of the same. This property since 1891 has been operated by Fred H. and Christ. G., sons of Wolfgang, and Robert F., son of J. B.

Deceased was one of the charter members of Bismarck lodge No. 110, Iowa Workman, and of the Elkader Turn Verein, in the latter society he was treasurer at the time of his death. He was also a member of the town council since the time of the incorporation May 29th, 1890, until last March when he declined a re-election.

Since the death of his brother Wolfgang, about one year ago, with whom he had been associated in business and pleasure the most of his years, Mr. Schmidt's health has failed, and medical skill the past few months has failed to relieve him, and he has passed away at the age of 66 years, 3 months and 7 days.

In his private life Mr. Schmidt was a kind and affectionate father and husband, a firm friend and a good neighbor. He was of a quiet demeanor and loved peace and fair dealing. Honest himself he sought honesty in others. In his public life he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his associates in office and of people generally. He endeavored to do what was right. Few men in Elkader enjoyed a wider acquaintance or was more esteemed. By his demise Elkader loses a worthy citizen.

The funeral was held on Sunday last. The religious services being conducted by Rev. F. W. Siefert, assisted by the pastor Rev. G. W. Baxter. At the grave Master Workman G. H. Wolf of Bismarck lodge No. 110, Iowa Workmen, conducted the burial service of the order assisted by Bismarck lodge and members of the order from different parts of the county. Chas. Ruegnitz also made a short address on behalf of the Turners. The Elkader Gesang Verein assisted the choir in the church and also sang at the cemetery.

The funeral was one of the largest ever held at Elkader, parties being present from almost every town in the county. The procession included Bismarck lodge No. 110, the Turners, the town council of Elkader and the following honorary pall bearers: Chas Ruegnitz, Chas. Reinecke, Henry Wirkler, Chas. Leibrock, D. G. Griffith, A. Kramer, Geo. Wolf, R. E. Price, J. C. Stemmer, F. D. Bayless, and D. D. Murphy. The active pall bearers were: D. E. Gleason, John Stoops, Henry Benschneider, F. G. Leibrock, Fred Meisner, M. Dittmer, J. M. Jensen and John Losch.