John S. Schmidt, a well known and highly respected citizen
of Staunton, Illinois, was born September 10, 1850, in Hanover, Germany, and
is a son of Christopher and Dora (Maschendorf) Schmidt, both of whom were
natives of Germany.
Christopher Schmidt was engaged as a sheep
herder on a large estate in Hanover, and died in Germany, aged 65 years. He
was the father of six children, three of whom died young, and the others
were: Henry, who died in Hanover, Germany, January 15, 1904; Alar, a
resident of Ohio, who came to America in 1869; and John S., of this sketch.
John S. Schmidt came alone to America in 1867. He had attended the
schools of his native neighborhood until he was 13 years of age, and then
began herding sheep, which was his father's occupation. This work did not
bring large enough returns to satisfy the ambitious youth, and after four
years he succeeded in securing passage from Bremen to New York, and from the
latter city proceeded immediately to Staunton. This city has been his home
ever since, where Mr. Schmidt has accumulated a competency, has become
prominent in public life, serving as alderman, and has surrounded himself
with many warm friends. Until 1871 he worked by the year at farm work and
then began work in the coal mines. This at first had such a bad effect on
his health, that he engaged in teaming, an occupation he followed for seven
years, and then returned to mining and is now connected with what is known
as No. 6, which is owned by The Consolidated Company.
In 1874 Mr.
Schmidt was united in marriage with Wilhelmina Heinemeyer, who was born May
30, 1853, in Braunswic, and came to America in March, 1872. Mr. Schmidt has
been a Republican ever since he was naturalized. From boyhood, he has been a
member of the German Lutheran Church.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 491-492.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022