Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 550
ALEXIUS SCHMITT

Alexius SCHMITT, a representative farmer of St. John's Township, came to Harrison County in 1858, first locating in the village of old St. John, where he had a blacksmith shop, which he operated about four years and then bought forty acres of land where he now lives, the same being swamp land. He has made substantial improvements, and in 1865, he bought forty acres on section 16. His farm is all fenced and under a good state of cultivation.

Mr. SCHMITT is a native of Germany, born September 30, 1830. His father was Alexius SCHMITT, who married Gertrude BUER, and they were the parents of nine children--Arsenius, living in Leavenworth, Kan., Joseph A., Francis, deceased; Karl Joseph, in Germany; Herman, deceased; Pius, of Germany; Anton in Germany; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. SCHMITT spent his early life in his native land, where he received a good common-school education. He was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, and at the age of twenty-three years came to America, landing in New York in May, 1853. We next find him in Dayton, Ohio, working at his trade, where he remained four years and then went to Rockport, Neb., remained one year, and then came to Harrison County, Iowa. While living in Dayton, Ohio, and on September 6, 1853, he was united in marriage to Eleanora LAUMEISTER, daughter of Michael and Madgalen (FISHER) LAUMEISTER, of Germany. By this union fourteen children were born, as follows: K. Alexius, born September 13, 1854, is now living in Nebraska; Lewis Edward, June 21, 1857, now of Montana; Christiana, Eleanor, now Mrs. H. BRUNING, of St. John's Township; John Joseph, September 30, 1861, now residing in Nebraska; Franz, September 12, 1864, now of Nebraska; Fredrick Otto and Fridolin, twins, April 1, 1867, now living in Nebraska and Wyoming respectively; Angelus, February 22, 1869, now of Lyon County, Iowa; Louisa Frances, May 11, 1871, now at home; Leo Joseph Pius, March 20, 1877, now at home; Henry Theodore, September 21, 1880.

Mrs. SCHMITT died December 26, 1886, and was buried in St. John's cemetery. Our subject affiliates with the Democratic party and the family are identified with the Roman Catholic Church at Missouri Valley.

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