For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 769
FREDERICK H. SCHMITT....Frederick H. Schmitt, is one of the substsntial and trustworthy citizens of Nichols, Muscatine county. He is engaged in the agricultural implement and blacksmith business, to which he is devoting his energies with very satisfactory results. He is a native of Nichols, born in 1875, and is a son of Adam and Margaret ( Hartman ) Schmitt. The father was born in Germany and the mother in Ilinois, the former coming to America in his boyhood. He arrived at his maturity in Illinois and was there married and engaged in farming for several years. Coming to Iowa, he purchased eighty acres of land in Pike township, Muscatine county, which he subsequently sold, removing to Nichols, where he purchased property and engaged in farming in that locality. In his later years he lived retired at Nichols. The mother of our subject departed this life April 7, 1906. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt, of whom Louise, Peter, Peter II, and a child unnamed died in infancy. The other members of the household were : Henry, who was born May 27, 1871, died April 5, 1874 ; Frederick H., our subject ; William R., who was born March 15, 1878 and is now inbusiness with his brother Frederick H ; Margaret, who was born May 23, 1881, and is the wife of Bert Fry, of Louisa county, Iowa ; and Louis M., who was born May 17, 1884, and is living at Nichols.Frederick H. Schmitt received his education in the public schools and continued at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he was married and began working out on a farm. Being attracted to mercantile life, he accepted a position as clerk in a store, remaining in this connection for fifteen years, and then becoming identidied with the agricultural implement and blacksmithing as a member of the firm of Kern & Schmitt. After six months he and his brother purchased Mr. Kern's interest and have since conducted the business under the title Schmitt Brothers. By good management the patronage has steadily grown until the business yields a substantial income, the concern being one of the most reliable of the kind in that part of the county.
On the 19th of June, 1901, Mr. Schmitt was united in marriage to Miss Anna L. Walker, a native of Illinois. The father was born in Switzerland and the mother in America. They lived in Muscatine county and here Mr. Walker was identified with farming interests until his death. The mother is still living on the old homestead. There were seven children in their family, four of whom are now living : William J., of Coesco, Iowa ; Albert J., of Muscatine county ; Anna L., now Mrs. Schmitt ; and Emma, at home. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt : Margaret E., born April 28, 1902 ; Herbert L., June 13, 1904 ; Beatrice E., April 14, 1906 ; and Robert W., November 20, 1908.
Mrs. Schmitt received a good education and taught school for several years previous to her marriage. She was a woman of many excellent qualities and has proved to her husband a true companion and loving helpmate. Mr. Schmitt and his family affiliate with the Christian church and are active workers in behalf not only of the church but of all worthy objects. Politically he is in sympathy with the democratic party and that he holds the confidence of his friends and neighbors is attested by the fact of his having served as alderman, assessor, and also for five years as member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with Stainless Lodge, No.445, A. F. & A. M., and Liberty Chapter, R. A. M., both of Nichols, being now treasurer of the former organization. He is secretary of Lodge No. 664, I. O. O. F., of Nichols, and in the discharge of his various duties has displayed a fidelity which meets the unanimous approval of his brethren.
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