Ben Harvey Schmidt, M. D. Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Schmidt, Koehler, Hageboeck, Reith. With determined and commendable purpose to reach a worthy place in the medical profession in his native city, Dr. B. H. Schmidt entered upon active practice in Davenport in 1898, since which time his course has been marked by a steady progression that has won him an extensive clientele in the tri-cities. He was born in Davenport, June 15, 1875, and is the youngest of the six living children of Hugo and Zella (Koehler) Schmidt, who were natives of the province of Westphalia, Germany. They came to America in their childhood days and were married in Davenport. In the maternal line the ancestry of the family is traced back to the beginning of the seventeenth century. The father figured for a number of years as one of the leading and distinguished bankers and merchants of this city. He was at different times connected as cashier with the Citizens and First National Banks, on which his personality left a deep and lasting beneficial impress. Later he became the owner and manager o! f an extensive cracker business and continued in that line until his death, which was occasioned by an accident. His children are all yet residents of this city. Dr. Schmidt, whose name introduces this review, pursued his literary course in the public schools of Davenport, passing through the grammar grades to the high school. He early determined to become a physician and, with this end in view, when fifteen years of age entered the office of Dr. Hageboeck as a student. Subsequently he matriculated in Rush Medical college at Chicago and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1897, after which he went to pursue post-graduate work in Vienna and Berlin. In the latter part of the year 1898 he returned to America and opened an office in Davenport. From the beginning his success was assured because he had in him those qualities which overcame all difficulties and obstacles and pressed steadily forward to the goal. Added to a thorough preparatory training he had a natural adaptability and his energy and industry were moreover numbered among his chief characteristics. Under Mayor Waldo Becker he was made city physician in 1901 and served! until 1903. This entailed membership in the board of health and constituted him adviser thereto. Smallpox becoming epidemic in Davenport during his term of office, his skill as a physician and as an official received rigorous test and the result redounded greatly to his credit. He has always devoted his attention to the general practice of medicine and surgery, having many patrons in the tri-cities, while his professional service is constantly increasing in volume and importance. Progress is the keynote of his life and through close study and earnest purpose he has made continuous advance. He is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and in the application of remedial agencies and thus he has come to be recognized as one of the most reliable physicians of Davenport. Aside from an extensive private practice he is examining and consulting physician to the Germania Life, Pacific Mutual, Danish Brotherhood and Merchants of Burlington insurance companies and contract physici! an to the Mutual Manufacturers Accident Association. In 1899 Dr. Schmidt was married to Miss Helen Reith, a native of this city and the daughter of Henry Reith, who came from Germany in the '60s. They now have one child, Kurt, who was born March 16, 1904. Dr. Schmidt belongs to the Knights of Pythias society and Woodmen of America, in both of which he is examining physician. He is likewise connected with the Turner Society, the German Free School, the Ethical Society, the Shooting Association, the Arsenal Golf and the Schuetzen Clubs, all of which indicate the nature of his interests and his recreation. He likewise belongs to the County, State and National Medical Associations and is interested in every onward step made by the profession in the effort to secure for man a key to that complex mystery which we call life. His deep interest, his ambition and his natural inclination are bound up in his profession, to which he is an honor and in which he has achieved distinction. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES