For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 488
JOHN and LENA SCHMIDT....One of the best and most high cultivated farms in Fulton township is the farm of John Schmidt, the son of the late John H. and Karolene ( Zabel ) Schmidt. Both he and his sister are natives of Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, John being born on the 6th of April, 1858 and Lena on the 14th of December four years later. The parents were natives of Germany, the father emigrating to the United States in 1847 and the mother in 1855. They both located in Davenport, Iowa, where they first met and later were married. Mr. Schmidt was a carpenter, following that trade until, 1870, when he bought forty acres of land in Montpelier township, Muscatine county, upon which he located, continuing to make it his home for the rest of his life. He was quite successful in agricultural pursuits and added to his original tract another forty acres and had at the time of his death one of the best eighty acre farms in that township. He passed away in December, 1894, and his wife only survived him one year, both being laid to rest in Pleasant Prairie cemetery. They were Christians and held membership in the Lutheran church. They were the parents of six children, three of whom died in infancy, while the surviving are : John ; Minnie, the wife of Robert Nugent of Muscatine county; and Lena.John and Lena Schmidt always remained at home and after the death of their parents removed to Fulton township, locating on an eighty acre farm which John had previously purchased and where they have since continued to reside. During he fifteen years they have lived here he has made all of the improvements on the place and now owns one of the finest improved farms in the vicinity. He has a nice line of stock, the buildings are all substantial and well repaired, while the carefully cultivated fields each season yield an abundant and profitable harvest. He is energetic and progressive and in addition to this farm he and his sister yet retain their interest in the property of their parents. Mr. Schmidt bought and now owns an additional forty acres in Montpelier township.
Ever since age conferred upon him the full rights of citizenship Mr. Schmidt has cast his vote for the candidates of the republican party but he is not an office seeker. He is a member of the Pleasant Prairie Grange of Fulton township. Both he and Miss Schmidt are held in high regard in the community where they live and during their residence here have made and retained the friendship of many of the best people in their neighborhood.
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