Schemmer, Henry, 1854-1932

SCHEMMER, KRAMER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/17/2012 at 08:30:21

HENRY SCHEMMER MEETS ACCIDENTAL DEATH

The sudden and tragic death of Henry Schemmer last Friday evening was a great shock to his many friends in this community, as well as in other places where he was known. Mr. Schemmer had been in his shop that evening until shortly before nine o'clock and then left for his home at A. F. Schemmer's. Finding no one at home there, he started out again, presumably to call at the home of Mrs. Dischler. He was crossing the street near the B. J. Schemmer home when the accident occurred. There were two cars coming from opposite directions, one coming from the north and the other from the south. The car coming from the north was driven by Gerrit Vugteveen, who was so blinded by the bright lights from the other car that he could not see Mr. Schemmer until he was right upon him. A part of the hinge of the car door struck Mr. Schemmer on the head, killing him almost instantly. No blame for the accident is attached to Mr. Vugteveen, It was clearly unavoidable. The identity of the driver of the other car is not known. He did not stop and probably did not know that an accident had occurred.

Mr. Schemmer was taken to the home of his son, B. J. Schemmer, near where the accident occurred, and a doctor was summoned, but he had passed away when the doctor arrived.

Mr. Schemmer was one of the pioneer residents of Rock Valley. He came here more than fifty years ago and followed the trade of blacksmith and wood worker, and conducted a machine shop here for a number of years.

Mr. Schemmer took active part in the affairs of the community. He held the office of mayor of Rock Valley for four terms, his first term starting in 1894. He also held other offices of trust in the community. Mr. Schemmer was a man who was highly esteemed and admired by all who knew him, a man of unassuming manners and a kind and genial disposition.

In his later years Mr. Schemmer conducted a work shop above the Schemmer hardware store, more for personal pleasure than for profit. He spent his time in this shop making ornaments and curios of various kinds, and he loved to have his friends call on him there, and he took a keen delight in showing them the different articles he had made.

Mr. Schemmer did not have a known enemy in the world. Such a man as he could only be loved and admired.

Mr. Schemmer was born February 13, 1854, at Burlington, Wisconsin, where he grew to young manhood. At the age of seventeen years, he went with his father and brothers to Loretta, Tennessee. His mother died when he was nine years old. He remained at Loretta about nine years. He was married there on January 26, 1875, to Catherine Kramer. Five years later he moved back to Burlington, Wis., and after a year's residence there, he came with his family to Rock Valley in 1881, where they resided until 1912, and then Mr. and Mrs. Schemmer moved to California, where Mr. Schemmer lived until about three years ago, and then returned to Rock Valley where he spent the remainder of his life. Mrs. Schemmer died July 12, 1914.

Mr. Schemmer is survived by three sons, Albert and Ben, of Rock Valley; John of Chicago; and two daughters, Mrs. Emma Dischler, Taft, California; and Mrs. Rose McGrath of Los Angeles, Calif. One daughter, Mrs. Catherine Streit died in 1920 and one son, Frank, died about thirty years ago.

Funeral services were held from St. Mary's church in Rock Valley at nine o'clock Monday morning. The services were largely attended by sympathizing friends. Among the relatives from a distance who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schemmer, Bonesteal, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Ernest, O'Neil, Neb.; Mrs. Leo Nolan and son, Jackie, Minneapolis; P. D. Kelly, Mankato, Minn.; Jos. Sandschule and daughter, Leona, of Bancroft, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Keeso, Pipestone, Minn.; E. H. Richter, Madison, S.D.; George Fahey and grand-daughter, Betty, of Iowa City.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, October 21, 1932.