Ludwig W. Schmidt Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Schmidt, Moeller, Martzhahn, Kohrs, Wichmann. Prominent among Scott county's esteemed and substantial citizens is Ludwig W. Schmidt. He holds the splendid farm upon which he is now living in especial affection, for it was here that he was born, May 26, 1857. As his name indicates, Mr. Schmidt is of German origin, his father being Carl F. Schmidt, of Schleswig-Holstein, born April 30, 1828. His grandfather, Fritz Schmidt, was a German school teacher, who in the year 1848 came to America with his five sons of whom Carl was next to eldest. With the idea of engaging in farming they settled in Blue Grass township on land which they purchased from the government, and proceeded to enjoy success in the land of their adoption. This property is still in the possession of the family, Richard Schmidt at the present time residing upon it. When twenty-six years of age Carl Schmidt left the paternal abode and took possession of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which his son Ludwig was born and which he afterward possessed.! In 1855 he married Miss Sophie Moeller and Ludwig is the eldest of the five children born to them. His brothers are Benjamin L. and Franz L. Schmidt, and his sisters Mrs. August F. Martzhahn and Mrs. John Kohrs, all four of whom reside in Davenport. The father died in 1886, but his wife survives him and makes her home with one of her daughters in Davenport. When Ludwig Schmidt was about nine years of age his father removed from his farm to the vicinity of Davenport, where in the public schools he with the other children received their education. Upon leaving school he entered upon a life of usefulness by assisting his father, who at that time was conducting a vineyard. After his marriage he took possession of his father's homestead and is still living amid the associations of he early boyhood. When twenty-three years of age Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Emma Martzhahn, a daughter of Fritz Martzhahn, of Scott county. Their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children: Fritz C., aged twenty-seven, still at home, Louis, aged twenty-five; Bruno L. and Ella, twins, twenty-three years of age; Sophie, the wife of George Wichmann, of Davenport; Alfreda, aged sixteen; Benno F., aged fourteen; and Minnie, aged twelve. Mr. Schmidt is a public-spirited citizen who enjoys the confidence of his fellowmen. He has done efficient public service, having been president of the school board and is now treasurer of the school board of Blue Grass township. Besides his agricultural interests he is a director of the Davenport Slaughtering & Rendering Company; a stockholder in the Blue Grass Savings Bank and the Home Saving Bank of Davenport, and is connected with his brothers' business, the Schmidt Brothers Ice Shipping Company, of Davenport. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES