A Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931 FERDINAND E. SCHMIDT. The entire business career of Ferdinand E. Schmidt, of Marshalltown, which started even before he had completed his college career, has been passed with the Dunham Company, one of the largest manufacturing companies of Iowa, with branches throughout the United States. He entered the service of this company in the plant at Marshalltown, and by the time he was twenty-four years of age had been made superintendent of the factory. In the intervening years his responsibilities as an executive have increased practically nine fold, and he now holds the position of factory manager. Mr. Schmidt was born at Burlington, Iowa, February 7, 1890, and is a son of Conrad F. and Fannie M. (Grote) Schmidt. His father, who was born in Germany, in 1856, received a good general school education in his native land, but thought better opportunities awaited him for advancement in this country and accordingly, at the age of eighteen years, immigrated to the United States and made his way to Las Vegas, New Mexico. Subsequently he embarked in the general merchandise business at Wagon Mound, New Mexico, as a member of the firm of Schmidt & Reinken, but disposed of his interests there and moved to Burlington, Iowa, where he conducted the Hawkeye Steel & Range Company for a time. In 1895 he came to Marshalltown, where he entered the hardware business under the firm name of Schmidt & Bourne, and later bought out his partner's interest and reorganized the firm under the style of the Schmidt Hardware Company, Inc., of which he was the president until his retirement from active business affairs. Mr. Schmidt became well and favorable known in business circles and his entire career was characterized by his strict integrity, prompt meeting of obligations and absolute honesty. During his active years he was always willing to give of his time, means and abilities to the furtherance of public-spirited movements, and he possessed in full the confidence and esteem of the best people of the several communities in which he made his home. He and his wife became the parents of four children: Metta C., born in 1887, in New Mexico, who is now a librarian at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Otto C., who died at the age of twenty-nine years, while residing at Chicago, Illinois; Ferdinand E., of this review; and Justus G., born in 1895, who for the past five years has been operating the Schmidt Hardware Company, Inc., as his father's successor. After attending the public schools of Marshalltown and graduating from the high school, Ferdinand E. Schmidt entered Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa, where he pursued a four-year course and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, as a member of the class of 1913. During this period he had worked for the Dunham Company during four vacation periods, and was so well versed in the work of the concern that immediately after his graduation he stepped into a responsible position. This was in 1913 and in the following year, having proved his worth and responsibility, he was given the position of superintendent of the plant at Marshalltown, although then only twenty-four years of age. At that time twenty-five men were employed in the factory, but it was a growing business, and today Mr. Schmidt has 225 skilled mechanics under his direct charge in the main plant at Marshalltown. He has grown in strength, reliance and ability with the growth of the business, and has the confidence of his superior officials and the friendship and cooperation of the men under his charge. The company's administrative, sales and publicity offices are now located at Chicago, Illinois, and the product finds a ready market in all parts of the world. The concern also maintains plants at Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Michigan City, Indiana, and its products have an excellent reputation in trade circles. Mr. Schmidt is a Blue Lodge Mason and a member of the Elmwood Country Club. As a member of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce he joins other public-spirited men in assisting public-spirited movements for the betterment of his adopted community. At Marshalltown, September 5, 1914, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Miss Katharyn Ketchum, daughter of Ed S. Ketchum, a jobber of farm implements and a well-known business man of Marshalltown. Mrs. Schmidt attended the grade and high schools of Marshalltown and is active in local church and social circles, where she is a general favorite. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt are the parents of two children: Marjorie Anne, born in 1918; and Katharyn Jane, born in 1920, both of whom are attending public school. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa History Project _http://iagenweb.org/history/_ (http://iagenweb.org/history/) Scott County, Iowa _http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm_ (http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! 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