Schemmer, Bernard J. “Ben,” 1880-1934

SCHEMMER, FAHEY, KRAMER

Posted By: Lyda Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Born: May 3, 1880
Died: May 16, 1934

From the Rock Valley Bee, May 18, 1934:

B. J. SCHEMMER DIED WEDNESDAY FORENOON

Everyone in Rock Valley and vicinity was greatly shocked and surprised to learn of the death of B. J. Schemmer Wednesday forenoon. During the severe wind storm last Friday morning, Mr. Schemmer went to his machine shop where he was struck on the head by the force of the wind by one of the heavy double doors of the building. He was found shortly afterwards lying on the sidewalk in an unconscious condition. He was taken to his home and a doctor was called, and did all he could for him. At first it did not appear that his injury was such a serious one, but later developments proved otherwise.

Mr. Schemmer has lived in Rock Valley practically all his life and was well known throughout Sioux and Lyon counties. We will give further particulars next week.

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From the Alton Democrat, May 25, 1934, Rock Valley news:

Ben Schemmer, who was fatally injured Saturday morning when one of his large shop doors blew shut and fell upon him, passed away at his home on Wednesday morning last week, at the age of 54 years.

He spent the greater part of his life in Rock Valley, having been in the Schemmer blacksmith shop for more than thirty years.

Funeral services for B. J. Schemmer were held at St. Mary’s Church here Friday morning, interment taking place at St. Mary’s cemetery.

Surviving are his widow, one son, Bernard, aged 14, two brothers--A. F. Schemmer of this city and John Schemmer, living in Illinois, and two sisters. The family have the sincere sympathy of a host of friends.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, May 25, 1934:

THE PASSING OF B. J. SCHEMMER

B. J. Schemmer, an account of whose death was given in last week’s Bee, was born in Loretta, Tennessee, May 3, 1880. He passed away at his home in Rock Valley May 16, 1934, aged fifty-four years and thirteen days.

When he was about a year and a half old, his parents moved to Rock Valley where he spent the rest of his life. He worked with his father for a number of years as a machinist, and later took over the business on his own account. He built the present machine shop building, and conducted business there for twenty years or more. He was a skilled workman at his trade, as well as a genial and friendly man, and made many friends here and elsewhere who regret his untimely death.

Mr. Schemmer was united in marriage with Miss Mary Fahey, November 12, 1907, who survives him. He also leaves one son, Bernard, fourteen years old, two brothers, A. F. Schemmer, of Rock Valley and John Schemmer of Chicago, and two sisters, Mrs. C. P. Dischler of Taft, California, and Mrs. Rose McGrath of Los Angeles, California, besides other relatives and many friends in Rock Valley and vicinity.

Funeral services were held in St. Mary’s church in Rock Valley Friday morning, and the remains were taken to St. Mary’s cemetery. The bereaved ones have the sincere sympathy of many friends in their sorrow.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate gives his full name as Bernard Joseph Schemmer, his wife’s name as Mayme, and his occupation as blacksmith; lived in Rock Valley 40 years and worked as a blacksmith 30 years; parents Henry Schemmer and [no forename] Krammer; died at 9:15 a.m. May 16, 1934, of a cerebral hemorrhage, the result of a fall on May 12 that fractured his skull.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has him as Bernard S. Schemmer, evidently a transcription error, since FindaGrave.com has him as Bernard J. Schemmer, with a photo of his and his wife’s joint headstone.

The Sioux County marriage register for 1907/1908 gives his mother’s name as Catherine Cramer and his wife as Mary A. Fahey, born in Early, Iowa, parents George Fahey and Mary Spain, married in Rock Valley November 12, 1907.
His parents’ obits (separately posted) both give his mother’s name as Catherine Kramer.

His World War I draft registration card (September 1918) also gives his full name, Bernard Joseph Schemmer, wife Mary, proprietor of a machine/blacksmith shop; physical description: tall, stout, blue eyes, brown hair.