GUSTAV ADOLPH OTTO SCHMIDT, b 12 Mar 1829

SCHMIDT, GLENWITZ, PAGELS, KLINCKMAN, BURNETT

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 11/13/2004 at 12:06:11

This name is recognized as that of one of the largest hearted and most genial gentlemen of Van Buren Township - one who is possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, disclosing in his character and dealings an individual of excellent birth and breeding. He was born, reared and educated in Germany, and, crossing the Atlantic early in life, came to the West, selected his home in Van Buren Township, this county, where he is now a prosperous and highly respected citizen.

All the surroundings of Mr. Schmidt and his family are creditable to their tastes and means, everything about them being indicative of the refinements of life. They have a beautiful residence. It is erected in a modern style of architecture, splendidly finished and handsomely furnished. An ample library forms one of the attractive features, and the musical tastes and talents of the family are indicated by the presence of an elegant upright piano and other instruments, which serve to while away many an evening hour. Mr. Schmidt is a hearty supporter of everything calculated to benefit society socially and morally, and in his worthy endeavors receives the cordial assistance of an intelligent and amiable wife. He is a Mason in high standing, and the family enjoy the friendship of the leading people of their community. Outside the dwelling the farm buildings of the Schmidt homestead invariably attract the attention of the passing traveler, for they are undoubtedly the finest to be found in all Jackson County. There are commodious, well-built stock and hay barns, and a wind-mill, standing within the ample barn yard. The fences and machinery are kept in first-class condition, and the whole forms a complete picture of pleasant and prosperous rural life. Mr. Schmidt has 160 acres of thoroughly cultivated land. He has been a resident of Van Buren Township since August, 1857, and has marked its growth and development with the interest felt among all intelligent citizens.

Our subject is the scion of an excellent old family who for generations represented a large amount of wealth and education in the province of Pomerania, Prussia. The father, Frederick Wilhelm Schmidt, and the grandfather, Gottfried Schmidt, were thoroughly educated, and followed the profession of teaching. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Henrietta C. Glenwitz. Her father was also a teacher in Prussia, where the grandparents and parents spent their entire lives. The mother of our subject passed away when her son Otto was a little lad six years of age. The father died in 1875, at the age of seventy-five years. Of this union there were born seven children, four of whom lived to mature years, viz: Henrietta, Gustav Adolph Otto (our subject), Caroline and Fredricks. After the death of his first wife the father married a second time, and there were added to the household circle five more children, three of whom are living, two in Oregon, and the sister in Germany.

The subject of this sketch was born March 12, 1829, in Zarzig, near Stargard, in the Province of Pommerania, Prussia, where he sojourned until a youth of sixteen years. He received his education in the common schools, finishing up with the higher branches, and was carefully trained in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. At the age mentioned he began an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, serving three years, after which he worked one year as a journeyman. He next entered the King's service, in which he remained three years as a member of the famous Blucher regiment. He was subjected to a thorough drill the first year, and then became the Company horseshoer, being particularly expert at this business.

Upon leaving the army our subject repaired to the city of Berlin, where he worked at his trade three years. In the summer of 1854 he set sail from Bremen to America on board the American slaveship "Bruns." He landed in New York City on the 6th of August following, and, establishing himself at Stuyvesant, was occupied there three years at his trade, and then changed his residence to Hudson, N.Y. Ten months later he started for the West, thinking perhaps he would locate in Chicago, but instead came on to Sabula, this county. On the 29th of April he began to work at Savanna, Ill., as a blacksmith, but six weeks later removed to Hanover, and thence to Sterling, Iowa. In the fall of 1857 he took up his abode in Van Buren, putting up the second blacksmith shop in the place.

In the spring of 1859, however, Mr. Schmidt contracted the gold fever, and determined to set out for Pike's Peak. He got together his oxen, wagon and provisions, but, having no money, was finally persuaded to let well enough alone and remain where he was. Concluding now to make Van Buren his home, Mr. Schmidt, on the 11th of March, 1860, took unto himself a wife, Miss Sophia, daughter of John and Maria (Klinckman) Pagels. This lady was born in Schwerin, in the Province of Mechlenburg, Germany, and was an only child. She came with her parents to the United States when twelve years of age. Her parents spent their last years in Van Buren Township. The father died at the home of his daughter Sept. 27, 1888, aged eighty years and five months. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Schmidt, died Feb. 9, 1883, at her home in the village of Van Buren, aged seventy-two yars. For the following seven years our subject was occupied mostly at farming and stock-raising, and was prospered, accumulating a snug property. In 1870 he invested $4,000 in a stock of general merchandise, and commanded a thriving trade for about eleven years, doing a business aggregating $15,000 annually. His elegant residence was built in 1883, at a cost of $3,500, and the barn was completed two years later at a cost of $1,000. He owns a fine farm of 237 acres two miles west of Sabula, in Union Township, this county, also the store building in Buckeye. He carries an insurance of $7,000 being the heaviest policy-holder in the corporation.

To our subject and his estimable wife there were born twelve children, but the two eldest sons, William and Charles, died at the ages respectively of ten years and thirteen months. Matie died at the age of three years. The survivors are: Frank, August, Minnie, Otto B., George W., Augusta, Lottie, Lulu, and Hugo. The children are being liberally educated. Frank married Miss Ella Burnett, and is the father of one child, Leroy Otto, and a resident of Union Township. Mr. Schmidt, socially, is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of De Molay Consistory at Lyons, and a Knight Templar, belonging to Tancred Commandery No. 40, at Maquoketa, and Bath Khol Chapter No. 90, at Maquoketa, being a charter member of the same. He is also Vice President of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Preston. Politically, he votes the straight Republican ticket, and represented Van Buren Township in the County Board of Supervisors in 1874. He has been Treasurer and Director of his School District for several years past. His whole course in life has been that of an honest and upright citizen, and one who holds a high place in the business and social circles of the county.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)