Schmidt, Erwin John 1918-1941

SCHMIDT

Posted By: Linda Mohning (email)
Date: 7/17/2011 at 06:52:29

Remsen Youth Crushed Under Tractor Wheel. Lives only a Few Hours After Fatal Occurrence.
Irvin [Erwin] J. Schmidt, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Schmidt, farming near Remsen, was fatally injured Monday when he was jolted from the seat of a tractor he was driving in a cornfield at the farm.
According to reports young Schmidt fell off the seat as he was backing up over rough rows in the field to hook on to a corn picker.
The tractor wheels passed over his body and both his arms, the pelvic bone and his left hip were crushed.
He was brought to the Sacred Heart hospital where he died a few hours later.
Erwin John Schmidt was born on a farm in Meadow township on January 19, 1918, and made his home with his parents. He attended the Remsen public grade and high school, graduating with honors with the class of 1936.
Surviving besides the parents are his younger brother, Richard, and a sister, Mary Ann. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran church, in Remsen, with the pastor, Rev. Paul Wuebben, in charge. Burial was made in the Remsen cemetery. Pallbearers were Elmer Neuenschwander, Ray Witt, Carl Kestel, Wayne Lenertz, Donald Mohning and Lyle Juhl. – Le Mar Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Jan. 17, 1941, page 1.
------------------------------

Popular Boy Loses Life in Accident. Erwin Schmidt, 22, Crushed Under Tractor, Dies Two Hours Later.
Death encroached upon the John P. Schmidt family north of town Monday as the first great local tragedy of the year took the life of Erwin J. Schmidt, 22 years old, whose life was crushed out under the wheels of a farm tractor.
With his father and his younger brother, Richard, Erwin was preparing to pick corn, using a mechanical picker drawn by the tractor. While the father and the younger son were busying themselves in the yard, Erwin preceded them to the corn filed about a quarter mile from the yard, to hitch the two machines which were parked there.
The men in the yard heard his cries for help, and on arrival found Erwin lying on the ground, but fully conscious and able to tell the tragic story. There was not waiting, but the unfortunate lad was hurried into an automobile and to the Sacred Heart hospital in Le Mars. They arrived there within 20 minutes after the lad was picked up. On the way Erwin’s remarks indicated he had no hope, yet he told how the accident occurred. He was standing on the draw bar while backing the tractor to the picker, and when the machine went over a large lump of frozen ground, he slipped and fell. The mammoth wheel, with heavy lugs, pinned him down and passed over him. He suffered fractures of both arms and legs, the pelvis, and internal injuries. An internal hemorrhage brought on his death about two hours after the accident. Erwin was conscious up to about 20 minutes before death relieved him of his suffering at 11:30 A.M., two hours after the accident occurred.
Erwin John Schmidt was born on a farm in Meadow township on January 19, 1918, and always made his home with his parents. He attended the Remsen public grade and high school, graduating with honors with the class of 1936. Since then he had been assisting with the general farm work, in which he proved efficient and trustworthy. Erwin was popular among his many young associates both in town and the surrounding country, and because of his naturally jovial nature and his splendid personality he was beloved by all. The passing of this young man is a source of deep sorrow among those who knew him best, and the public hereabouts sympathizes deeply with the bereaved parents, sister and brother who are overwhelmed with grief over the deep tragedy that has come into their family life.
Surviving, besides the parents, are his younger brother, Richard, and a sister, Mary Ann. Funeral services were held this (Thursday) afternoon in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran church, with the pastor, Rev. Paul Wuebben, in charge. Burial was made in the Remsen cemetery. Pall bearers were Elmer Neuenschwander, Ray Witt, Carl Kestel, Wayne Lenertz, Donald Mohning and Lyle Juhl. – Remsen Bell-Enterprise. January ?, 1941