WILLIAM C. SCHMIDT

William C. Schmidt devotes his time and energies to that branch of activity which George Washington designated as “the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man.” He owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Springfield township and in connection with the tilling of the soil gives considerable attention to stock-raising. His birth occurred in Cedar county, Iowa, on the 16th of May, 1874, his parents being Charles and Matilda (Frowein) Schmidt. The former was born in the province of Westphalia, Germany, on the 19th of November, 1835, while the latter was likewise a native of that country, her natal day being October 21, 1840. Charles Schmidt crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1851, first settling in St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as a laborer for two years. On the expiration of that period he went to Davenport, Iowa, and at the end of three years came to Cedar county, arriving here in 1857. He worked as a farm hand for several years and then bought a tract of eighty acres, to which he later added forty acres more. Subsequently he made an additional purchase of two hundred acres, so that his holdings aggregated three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. He is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned ease, making his home with our subject. The period of his residence in this county covers more than a half century and he has long been numbered among its most substantial and respected citizens. His wife was called to her final rest in 1890.

William C. Schmidt obtained his education in the district schools of this county and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On starting out for himself he purchased the old home farm of one hundred and twenty acres from his father and has since devoted his attention to its further cultivation and improvement with excellent results. In addition to raising cereals Mr. Schmidt has engaged in stock-raising, and as he has given to this branch of activity the same care and discrimination distinguishable in his purely agricultural undertakings, he has found it a profitable adjunct to his business.

In 1898 Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Kreinbring, a daughter of John W. and Mary (Schram) Kreinbring, early settlers of Cedar county, who are mentioned on another page of this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have been born five children, four of whom still survive, namely: Gladys, whose natal day was May 23, 1901; Arthur, whose birth occurred April 23, 1903; Mildred, who was born on the 13th of August, 1905; and Lavyra, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 8th of May, 1908. Wilbert, who was born January 10, 1900, died in infancy.

Mr. Schmidt is a democrat in politics and is now ably serving in the capacity of constable. Both he and his wife belong to the Evangelical church at Lowden and take a deep and helpful interest in its work. His entire life has been spent in Cedar county and he is well entitled to a place among its progressive and representative citizens.