For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 365
WILLIAM R. SCHMITT....One of the most successful of the younger representatives of business interesrs in Nichols is William R. Schmitt, a member of the firm of Schmitt Brothers, dealers in agricultural implements. In the various duties of life, both public and private, he has aimed at high ideals and has seldom attempted anything that he has not accomplished. He was born in Nichols, Iowa , March 15, 1878, and is a son of Adam and Margaret ( Hartman ) Schmitt, a record of whom appears in the sketch of Frederick H. Schmitt, brother of our subject, elsewhere in in this work.The early years of William R. Schmitt were spent upon a farm, and there he received the training which has been of great value to him as years have passed. He attended the public schools of Nichols and then became a student of the Muscatine Normal School, later matriculating in the Valpalparaiso ( Ind. ) University, from which he was graduated in 1900, having pursued a teacher's and business course. He received an excellent education and after leaving school taught for five years, acquiring a reputation which indicated thorough mental training and unusual ability in school management. However, he was attracted to mercantile life and entered the implement business at Nichols with his brother, in which he has ever since continued. They lost everything in a fire about 1906, the entire establishment being swept away, but they are not men to be easily discouraged, and the store was rebuilt, their patronage being much more extensive now than ever before. In the last two years W. R. Schmitt has also been connected with the real-estate business, buying, selling and listing property for sale. He owns a one-third interest in a section of land in Pike township with F. B. Mapes and G. C. Lindee, and also owns his home and considerable real estate in Nichols.
On the 27th day of June, 1906, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Smith, daughter of Sarah and William Smith of Cedar Valley, Iowa. The union proved to be most congenial and the greatest sorrow of his life was the death of his beloved companion December 8, 1907, their only child Dora Lucile, passing away about the same time. Mrs. Schmitt was a lady of beautiful character and was greatly loved by a wide circle of friends. She was a member of the Church of Christ, which she joined in 1904, and also belonged to the Rebekahs. The following resolution indicates the respect in which she was held by her associates;
Resolutions in Memory of Our Beloved Sister, Lillian Schmitt, who Died December 8, 1907,br> Whereas, our Heavenly Father has deemed it wise to take from our midst our beloved sister, Mrs. Lillian Schmitt, be it therefore
Resolved, that we the members of Bridgeman Rebekah Lodge No.14, extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved husband and relatives.
Resolved, that we lost a true friend and the order a faithful member, and that we feel her loss deeply on account of her loving and cheerful disposition.
Resolved, that as a token of respect for our departed sister, our chapter be draped in mourning for a period of thirty days and that this tribute of love to her memory be placed upon the minutes of the lodge and a copy be sent to the husband of our deceased sister and a copy to our local paper for publication.
EDNA HESSLER,
EVA JEANS,
ANNA STAFFORD,
Committee.Mr. Schmitt is a member of the Christian church and an active worker in its behalf, being at the present time superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally, he is connected with Lodge No. 664, I. O. O. F., Lodge No.445, A. F. & A. M., and Camp No. 4195, M. W. A., and has served as clerk for five years in the last named organization. He has passed through all the chairs in the subordinate lodge of the Odd Fellows and was noble grand for several terms. Politically he is allied with the democratic party and is prominent in its councils in this part of the county. He has served as township clerk for eight years, being the present incumbent, and is now a member of the city council. In all of his activities he has shown an interest and ability that have been highly gratifying, and of him it may truly be said that he occupies the position of an honored and trusted citizen.
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