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         GEORGE SCHMIDT, of the firm of Schmidt & Will, blacksmiths, horse-shoers and repairers of farm machinery, of Columbus City, was born in Sleswick-Holstein, Germany, March 2, 1848, and is a son of Sonke and Anna Marie (Bonsen) Schmidt. Our subject received a liberal education, and learned the trade of a black-smith in his native country, serving a regular apprenticeship. Thinking that the New World would furnish a better field for his labor, he bade good-by to home and friends, and in 1869 emigrated to . . .

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. . . America, locating at Newark, N. J., where he worked as a journeyman until the spring of 1870, and then came to Columbus City, Iowa, arriving in this town on the 5th of April. He worked at his trade as a journeyman until March, 1877, when he opened a shop for himself, and by industry and good workmanship has built up an excellent business.

On the 10th of January, 1873, at Columbus City, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Miss Annie Spaeth, daughter of Claus and Catherine Spaeth. Mrs. Schmidt was born in the same county in Germany of which her husband was a native, and emigrated from that country to America the same year, but a month in advance of him. She is a member of the United Brethren Church, and a most estimable lady. Mr. Schmidt is a Republican in politics, and is now serving his second term as Mayor of Columbus City, having been elected to that office in 1885 and re-elected in 1888.

Mr. Schmidt has carried on a general blacksmithing business since 1877, and in March, 1886, formed the existing partnership with John Will. They make a specialty of horse-shoeing, but do everything in their line, including a large amount of farm machinery repairs. Mr. Schmidt is a member of Columbus City Lodge No. 246, I.O.O.F., and is always to be depended upon to act in accordance with the principles of that order. He is a man of superior mental attainments and high moral principles, and enjoys as he deserves the warmest regard and un-qualified respect of his fellow-citizens.