Mrs. Herman [Katharina] Schmidt d. 1925

SCHMIDT, MOLIS, GOBBLE, WHITTLESEY, RENDALL

Posted By: The Obituary Fairy (email)
Date: 8/31/2006 at 17:00:49

The Davenport Democrat and Leader; Monday Evening, January 12, 1925:

Schmidt

Mrs. Herman Schmidt Widow of Founder of Schmidt Music Company, Is Summoned Today

Mrs. Herman Schmidt, widow of the founder of the Schmidt Music company, died suddenly at 1:45 o’clock this afternoon at the home of her son, Edward Schmidt, 2508 Fulton avenue. Death terminated a nine day’s illness. The immediate cause was peritonitis. Her husband preceded her in death on Sept. 14, 1923, being at that time in his 80th year. Mrs. Schmidt was 77 years old at the time of the final summons.

The deceased was a native of Nassau, Germany, and came to America when a mere child. Her parents settled in Muscatine when she was five years old and there she resided until her removal to Davenport in 1917. It was in that city that the Schmidt Music House, now one of the largest in Iowa, was founded by her husband. Both her and her husband were pioneer settlers of Muscatine.

Mrs. Schmidt was a woman of noble Christian spirit and beautiful character. Her love and devotion to family and friends was ever apparent. Her kindness and gentleness endeared her to all whom she met, and to all she was the same loyal, steadfast and devoted friend. She was the sunshine and the happiness of the home and her demise will be sincerely mourned.

Surviving is a sister, Mrs. William Molis of Muscatine; a brother-in-law, Ernest Schmidt of Tempe, Arizona, and the following children in Davenport; Mrs. Amalia Schmidt-Gobble, Julius, Carl, Ed and Herman Schmidt.

According to present plans, the funeral will be held Wednesday morning from the Hill & Frederick’s chapel, after which the body will be taken to Muscatine where services will be held in the afternoon of the same day. Interment will take place in the family burial lot in Muscatine.

The Davenport Democrat and Leader; Tuesday Evening; January 13, 1925:

Schmidt

Funeral of Mrs. Schmidt is Wednesday

Services in Davenport in the Morning and at Muscatine in Afternoon

Funeral services for the late Mrs. Herman Schmidt, widow of the founder of the Schmidt Music company, will be held at 8 o’clock Wednesday morning at the Hill & Fredericks’ chapel on Harrison street. W. E. Whittlesey, first reader of the Scientist church, will be in charge.

The remains will then be taken to Muscatine where services will be held at 1:30 o’clock in the afternoon at the home of the sister of the deceased, Mrs. William B. Molis. Rev. J. B. Rendall, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, will officiate. Interment will take place in Greenwood cemetery.

In addition to the children mentioned in yesterday’s account of Mrs. Schmidt’s death, there survives six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The oldest son, Ernst Schmidt, passed away in Chicago a year ago last July.

The Davenport Democrat and Leader; Wednesday Evening; January 14, 1925:

The funeral of Mrs. Hermann Schmidt, Sr., was held this morning at 8 o’clock at the chapel of Hill & Fredericks. W. E. Whittlesey, reader of the First Scientist church, officiated.

At 9:30 the body was taken to Muscatine where services were held this afternoon. Interment took place in the Greenwood cemetery.

[note: probably Katharina, listed as w/o Herman Schmidt in 1920 census.]