William Schmidt Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Schmidt, Paustian, Holdorf, Meier, Lehmkuhl, Brockmann, Seemann, Hinz, Boecken, Wessel. William Schmidt is a native son of Iowa and possesses the enterprising spirit which has been the potent force in the rapid upbuilding and development of the middle west. He is now engaged in farming in Sheridan township, Scott county, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of productive land, pleasantly situated about a half mile east of Eldridge. His birth occurred in Butler township, this county, on the 9th of March, 1860, his parents being Detlef and Catherine Schmidt, both of whom were natives of Holstein, Germany. The father was a blacksmith there and came to America when a young man, making his way westward to Davenport. Soon afterward he secured employment as a farm hand in this county and, carefully saving his earnings, was at length enabled to purchase land in Butler township, whereon he resided until his death, which occurred when he was forty-two years of age. His widow long survived him and died at the age of seventy-four. In their family were eight children: Anna, the wife of Adolph Paustian, of Pottawatamie county, Iowa; William, of this review; Sophia, the wife of Charles Holdorf, of Pottawattamie county, Iowa; Charles, who is living on the old homestead farm in Butler township; Adolph, of Pottawattamie county; John, of the same county; Nancy, a resident of Davenport; and David, whose home is in Butler! township. William Schmidt was a pupil in the district schools of Butler township in his boyhood days and afterward worked on the home farm up to the time of his marriage, when he removed to another farm in Butler township, which was owned by his mother. After occupying and cultivating it for ten years he removed to his present place of residence, first renting the land, while in 1900 he purchased the property from Claus Meier, his father-in-law. He has since erected a fine residence and made other improvements which add much to the value and attractive appearance of his place, his farm being one of the well developed properties of the township. The place is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates the careful supervision and practical methods of a progressive owner. It was on the 15th of March, 1884, that Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Anna Meier, a daughter of Claus and Catherine (Lehmkuhl) Meier, who were natives of Germany and early settlers of this county. Her father came to the United states when a young man and established his home in Scott county, Iowa, purchasing land in Lincoln township. He now lives retired in Davenport. His first wife died at the age of twenty-three years, leaving two children: Henry, now a resident of Allens Grove township; and Anna, now Mrs. William Schmidt. For his second wife, Mr. Meier married Miss Gretge Paustian a native of Holstein, Germany, and to them were born four children, namely: Albert, who is married and lives on the homestead; Louisa, the wife of Carl Brockmann, residing near Donahue, Scott county; Adele, the wife of Julius Seemann, of davenport; and Walter, who married Minnie Hinz and lives on a farm near Davenport. The mother of these children died February 9, 1909. Mr. and Mrs! . Schmidt have two children: Olga, the wife of Ernest Boecken, of Walcott, Iowa; and Arthur, who lives on the home farm. He married Millie Wessel and thy have one child, Leota. Mr. Schmidt has spent his entire life in Scott county and has, therefore, been a witness of its growth and progress for fifty years. This half century has witnessed many notable changes for all of the evidences of pioneer life have been replaced by those of modern civilization. He has always advocated progress and improvement and in as far as possible has aided in the work of general advancement. He is regarded as an enterprising farmer and his success is well merited as it has been attained entirely through his own labors. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES