Commandery, K. T. He likewise held membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic, and in those different organizations his death was deeply regretted when, on the 19th of October, 1908, he passed away. He had continued an active factor in the abstract, loan and real-estate business up to the time of his death, and his sterling qualities of heart and mind won him the confidence and respect of colleagues and contemporaries in business, and he was admired by all who met him socially.
CHRISTIAN SCHMELLIK.
Among the industrious and progressive farmers of Story county Christian Schmellik should be named, occupying as he does an honored place in the estimation of his neighbors and of the people throughout the community where for many years he has made his home. He was born in Germany, June 9, 1867, a son of John and Mary Schmellik, who brought their family to America, arriving at Colo, Story county, July 7, 1867, the latter part of the journey being accomplished by railroad. The father settled on a farm and continued its cultivation for nearly forty years. On October 19, 1906, he retired from active work and is now living at State Center, Marshall county. There were six children in the family.
Christian Schmellik received his education in the common schools and also attended a German school, becoming thoroughly acquainted with. both English and German languages. He was reared on the home farm and continued with his father until thirty years of age. He then settled on the place he now owns on section 11, Sherman township, and has cultivated the land with a success that has produced highly gratifying results. He is a general farmer, raising both grains and stock, which he placed upon the market in excellent condition. He has greatly improved his farm, increasing the beauty of its appearance by handsome buildings and well kept fences, also by shade and ornamental trees, making it one of the pleasing features of the landscape and greatly adding to its value.
On the 10th of June, 1897, Mr. Schmellik was united in marriage at the French Grove Lutheran church to Miss Mary Renza, who was born at Drachhausen, Brandenburg, Germany, March 2, 1875, a daughter of Matthew and Anna (Kalusa) Renza, both of whom spent their entire lives in Germany, the mother passing away in 1907 and the father three years later. Mrs. Schmellik came to America, September 7, 1896, with a colony of fifteen persons collected by John Schmellik, the father of our subject, who went to Germany for that purpose. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schmellik, namely : Ruby, who was born May 8, 1898, and is attending the common schools and also a German school ; Itvie M., who was born May 5, 1900, and is now in attendance at the district