Wolfgang Schmidt, one of the enterprising business men of Elkader, was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 19th day of November, 1836. His parents, Frederick and Catherine Schmidt, emigrated to the United States in 1847, and located in Garnavillo Township, where his father took up lands, made a farm, and remained until his death, which occurred in 1875. His mother died in Lincoln, Neb. The subject of this memoir married in 1859, Paulina Thoma, who was born July 29, 1841. Ten children have blessed their union, viz.: John Blasius, born Oct. 5, 1860, died Nov. 1, 1871; Frederick, born Feb. 17, 1863; Christian, Oct. 14, 1864; Katarina, Oct. 29, 1866; Margaretta, Nov. 4, 1868; Emelia, March 1, 1871; Amelia, Aug. 30, 1874; Lena, Sept. 23, 1876; William, July 28, 1880; and Carrie, Dec. 9, 1881. Mr. Schmidt came to the county a poor boy, but by good management has accumulated a fine property and home, and is one of the substantial business men of the county. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 668 |