Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 308
GUSTAV SCHMIDT, senior partner of the firm of Gustav Schmidt & Bro., dealers in books, stationery and musical instruments, and also proprietors of a book-bindery, is a native of Germany, and was born in the State of Nassau, now a Province of Prussia, on the 29th of July, 1841, and is a son of Christian and Christiane ( Pfaff ) Schmidt. He attended school for six years in his native country, and in 1854, when in his thirteenth year, emigrated with his parents to America. After crossing the Atlantic and landing in this country the family came direct to Muscatine, Iowa, where they made their home. Gustav completed his studies in the city schools, and learned the book-binder's trade. When the late war broke out he responded to the call of his adopted country, enlisting in the service in September, 1861, as a member of the 5th Missouri Cavalry, and served until February, 1862, when having received a serious injury, he was discharged for physical disability.

Soon after his return from the army, in 1862, Mr. Schmidt opened a book-bindery at Muscatine on a small scale, and was joined by his brother Herman after the latter returned from the Southern battle-fields in 1865. They carried on the book-bindery business exclusively until 1871, when they put in a small stock of books, stationery and musical instruments, in connection with their other business. As time advanced they gradually increased their stock and business facilities, until they now have an extensive establishment and a liberal trade. Of late years they have had quite a large sale of musical instruments.

On the 11th of September, 1873, at Muscatine, Iowa Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Achter, a daughter of William Achter, the well-known grocer of this city. Three children have been born of their union, of whom Florence, the youngest , only is living. Bertha died at the age of seven years, and Cora, aged five.

Mr. Schmidt is a Democrat in politics, and is now serving his fourth year as Alderman from the Second Ward. He was one of the first to agitate the adoption of the fire protection for the city, and in 1875, he organized the first fire company in Muscatine, now known as the Champion Hose Company No. 1, and has been connected with the fire department ever since, serving four years at that time as foreman.He is a member of Iowa Lodge No.2, A.F.& A.M., and is the present Commander of Shelby Norman Post No. 231, G. A. R., and is also a member of the Musical Union of Muscatine. By his energy and business-like methods Mr. Schmidt has built up a successful, prosperous business, and is classed among the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Muscatine. In municipal affairs he has taken a leading part, and is deservedly popular for his broad views and able efforts in behalf of a wide and liberal policy of city government.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page