IN MEMORIAM
PETER SCHMIDT, whose death occurred at 2:35 this morning, was a native of Wa[l]lmerod, Province of Nassau, Germany. He came to this city in the fall of 1855, and has resided on the West Side ever since. He was a cabinetmaker by trade.
In the winter of 1856-7, while at work in Mr. Winchester's shop, he was taken sick with inflammatory rheumatism and white swelling, which confined him to bed for over two years, and left him and his family in very low circumstances after his recovery. Although left lame by the disease he again worked at his trade and succeeded in providing for his family till his children became old enough to assist him.
In 1869 he went into the grocery business at No. 198 Straight street, which was the first store in that part of the city.
He leaves a widow and six grown up children, CHARLES, AUGUST, JOHN, MATHEW and ANTHONY, who compose the firm of SCHMIDT BROS., of West Fulton street, and the monument dealers on Canal street, besides a daughter, MRS. AUGUST PULTE, of Reed, Tex. He has been confined to his house for two years on account of heart disease, which finally caused his death. He was 73 years old. His funeral will take place from St. Mary's church Saturday at 8 a.m., and the remains will be interred in Mt. Calvary cemetery.
GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Jan. 8, 1892, Pg. 2, Col. 3, Art. 1
This same obituary appears in: THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jan. 7, 1892, Pg. 4, Col. 4, Art. 2
*****
NOTE: Although PETER SCHMIDT'S gravestone has his death date as January 10, 1892, his probate papers list his death as January 7, 1892, and his obituary appeared in the January 8, 1892, issue of the GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT.
****************************~ooOoo~****************************
PETER SCHMIDT is the son of PETER JOSEF SCHMIDT & VERONICA NINK. He was born in Wallmerod, Nassau, Germany. His grandparents are MATHIAS SCHMIDT & ANNA CATHERINA BLUM. And his gr-grandparents are PETER SCHMIDT & ANNA CATHARINA WAGENER. Peter's parents, grandparents and great-grandparents remained in Germany.
*****
GERMAN MARRIAGES, 1558-1929
Groom's Name: PETER SCHMIDT
Groom's Birth Date: 11 Feb 1819
Groom's Birthplace: Wallmerod
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: CATHARINA GOELZ
Bride's Birth Date: 1819
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 02 Apr 1848
Marriage Place: Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany
Groom's Father's Name: PETER JOSEPH SCHMIDT
Groom's Mother's Name: VERONIKA NICK
Bride's Father's Name: MORITZ GÖLZ
Bride's Mother's Name: MARGARETHA SCHEMEL
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status:
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M94960-6
System Origin: Germany-EASy
Source Film Number: 1053802
Reference Number:
*****
On March 30, 1859, for the sum of $100, JAMES & ELIZA SCRIBNER, of the City of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Mich., deeded to PETER SCHMIDT of the City of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Mich., Lot No. 3, Straight Street, of J. Scribner's Addition to the City of Grand Rapids. Witnesses: HAIL C. SCRIBNER & C.N. FAXON.
RECORD OF DEEDS, Kent County, Michigan, Book No. 17, Page No. 153
The SCRIBNER'S ADDITION to the City of Grand Rapids can be viewed in the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) site at:
SCRIBNER'S ADDITION MAP
*****
1860 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (5th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 21 June 1860
SMITH, PETER, 41, Cabinet Maker, b. Nassau
Smith, Catharine, 41, b. Hesse Darmstadt
Smith, Caroline, 12, b. Nassau
Smith, Charles, 9, b. Nassau
Smith, Augustus, 7, b. Nassau
Smith, John, 5, b. Nassau
Smith, Matthew, 3, b. MI
1870 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (5th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 25 August 1870
SMITH, PETER, 51, Grocer (ret.), b. Nassau
Smith, Catharine, 51, Keeping House, b. Hesse Darmstadt
Smith, Charles, 19, Laborer, b. Baden
Smith, August, 18, Laborer, b. Baden
Smith, John, 16, b. Nassau
Smith, Mathias, 12, b. MI
Smith, Anton, 9, b. MI
1880 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS, KENT CO., MI, 2 June 1880
SCHMIDT, PETER, 61, Retail Grocer, b. Nassau (Parents b. Nassau)
Schmidt, Catharine (Wife), 60, Keeping House, b. Hesse Darmstadt (Parents b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, John (Son), 25, Retail Grocer, b. Nassau (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, Matthew (Son), 22, Stone Cutter, b. MI (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, Anton (Son), 18, Grocer Clerk, b. MI (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Live at 198 Straight Street.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN CITY DIRECTORIES, 1889-90
Name: Peter Schmidt
Location 2: 198 Straight
Year: 1889
City: Grand Rapids
State: MI
*****
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF PETER SCHMIDT
I, PETER SCHMIDT, of the City of Grand Rapids, County of Kent and State of Michigan, being in good Health and of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make and execute this my last will and testament, hereby revoking any former will by me heretofore made.
FIRST: I hereby constitute and appoint my son, CARL SCHMIDT, to be the executor of this my last will, directing him to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses out of my Estate.
SECOND: After the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses, I give and devise to my beloved wife, KATHARINA SCHMIDT, all my property, personal, real and mixed of which I may be possessed at the time of my death, to have and to hold the same for and during the term of her natural life.
THIRD: After her death my Estate shall be divided as follows:
To my sons, JOHN SCHMIDT and ANTON SCHMIDT, each the undivided half of LOT NUMBER THREE (3) STRAIGHT STREET, SCRIBNER ADDITION to the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, with all the appurtenances thereto belonging; also all the personal property consisting of Household goods and Furniture, Stock of Groceries, Merchandise and Provisions, Horse, Waggons, Sleigh, Harness and other effects which may be left at the time of her, my wife KATHARINA SCHMIDT'S death, or to their legal heirs, to have and to hold the same for their use and benefit forever, in consideration of which, they my said sons, JOHN SCHMIDT and ANTON SCHMIDT shall pay a certain promissory note given by me to SEBASTIAN HOMRICH with the interest thereon and all other debts contracted in the Grocery Business.
My other Children, AUGUST SCHMIDT, CAROLINE PULTE, CARL SCHMIDT and MATHIAS SCHMIDT, having received real estate or other property from me during my lifetime, shall not share in the division of my Estate and shall consider the property already received in lieu of all claims against my Estate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
PETER SCHMIDT [his signature]
PETER SCHMIDT, the above named testator did on this 24th day of June 1882 in the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, subscribe his name to the foregoing Instrument consisting of one sheet of Paper, in the presence of each of us as witnesses and published, declared and acknowledged that foregoing instrument to be his last will and testament, and we the undersigned, and not being interested therein, at the request of said PETER SCHMIDT, in his presence and where he could and did see us sign our names, and in the presence of each other, did on this day and at this place above named, subscribe our names hereto as attesting witnesses.
FRANCIS SCHORSCH Residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.
AUGUST SCHMIDT Residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Received and Filed March 27, 1900, by A.E. Ewing, Register of Probate
*****
REGARDING PETER SCHMIDT'S LEG & SALOON:
"It is thought that being a cabinet maker by trade, may have had something to do with it. Those days, wood was held in place with the knee as one sawed. There was some thought that he had tuberculosis of the bone, so the knee joint was removed. A little bend was left in the leg so that it would be better for sitting, which left it short for standing and walking. To compensate for that, he made the contraption himself, strapped it to his leg and partly sat on it as he walked. It was buried with him. Can you imagine serious surgery like that done way back when? The poor dear must have had quite a time of it too. Someone, I think it was ANNA SCHMIDT BROWN, said she remembered him being carried into church on a chair during a Mission, and a relic of St. Peter Klaver was placed on his knee."
"UNCLE ANTHONY said his father had a saloon at one time. If men came in that already had more than enough, Peter refused to serve them. Some people accused him of taking their money until they were drunk, then he would throw them out. Rather than have that said about him, he got out of that business."
~~Letter from FLORENCE ALOYSIA SCHMIDT (#54407264) to MICHAEL J. CRONK, March 21, 1973
PETER SCHMIDT, whose death occurred at 2:35 this morning, was a native of Wa[l]lmerod, Province of Nassau, Germany. He came to this city in the fall of 1855, and has resided on the West Side ever since. He was a cabinetmaker by trade.
In the winter of 1856-7, while at work in Mr. Winchester's shop, he was taken sick with inflammatory rheumatism and white swelling, which confined him to bed for over two years, and left him and his family in very low circumstances after his recovery. Although left lame by the disease he again worked at his trade and succeeded in providing for his family till his children became old enough to assist him.
In 1869 he went into the grocery business at No. 198 Straight street, which was the first store in that part of the city.
He leaves a widow and six grown up children, CHARLES, AUGUST, JOHN, MATHEW and ANTHONY, who compose the firm of SCHMIDT BROS., of West Fulton street, and the monument dealers on Canal street, besides a daughter, MRS. AUGUST PULTE, of Reed, Tex. He has been confined to his house for two years on account of heart disease, which finally caused his death. He was 73 years old. His funeral will take place from St. Mary's church Saturday at 8 a.m., and the remains will be interred in Mt. Calvary cemetery.
GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Jan. 8, 1892, Pg. 2, Col. 3, Art. 1
This same obituary appears in: THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jan. 7, 1892, Pg. 4, Col. 4, Art. 2
*****
NOTE: Although PETER SCHMIDT'S gravestone has his death date as January 10, 1892, his probate papers list his death as January 7, 1892, and his obituary appeared in the January 8, 1892, issue of the GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT.
****************************~ooOoo~****************************
PETER SCHMIDT is the son of PETER JOSEF SCHMIDT & VERONICA NINK. He was born in Wallmerod, Nassau, Germany. His grandparents are MATHIAS SCHMIDT & ANNA CATHERINA BLUM. And his gr-grandparents are PETER SCHMIDT & ANNA CATHARINA WAGENER. Peter's parents, grandparents and great-grandparents remained in Germany.
*****
GERMAN MARRIAGES, 1558-1929
Groom's Name: PETER SCHMIDT
Groom's Birth Date: 11 Feb 1819
Groom's Birthplace: Wallmerod
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: CATHARINA GOELZ
Bride's Birth Date: 1819
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 02 Apr 1848
Marriage Place: Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany
Groom's Father's Name: PETER JOSEPH SCHMIDT
Groom's Mother's Name: VERONIKA NICK
Bride's Father's Name: MORITZ GÖLZ
Bride's Mother's Name: MARGARETHA SCHEMEL
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status:
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M94960-6
System Origin: Germany-EASy
Source Film Number: 1053802
Reference Number:
*****
On March 30, 1859, for the sum of $100, JAMES & ELIZA SCRIBNER, of the City of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Mich., deeded to PETER SCHMIDT of the City of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Mich., Lot No. 3, Straight Street, of J. Scribner's Addition to the City of Grand Rapids. Witnesses: HAIL C. SCRIBNER & C.N. FAXON.
RECORD OF DEEDS, Kent County, Michigan, Book No. 17, Page No. 153
The SCRIBNER'S ADDITION to the City of Grand Rapids can be viewed in the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) site at:
SCRIBNER'S ADDITION MAP
*****
1860 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (5th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 21 June 1860
SMITH, PETER, 41, Cabinet Maker, b. Nassau
Smith, Catharine, 41, b. Hesse Darmstadt
Smith, Caroline, 12, b. Nassau
Smith, Charles, 9, b. Nassau
Smith, Augustus, 7, b. Nassau
Smith, John, 5, b. Nassau
Smith, Matthew, 3, b. MI
1870 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (5th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 25 August 1870
SMITH, PETER, 51, Grocer (ret.), b. Nassau
Smith, Catharine, 51, Keeping House, b. Hesse Darmstadt
Smith, Charles, 19, Laborer, b. Baden
Smith, August, 18, Laborer, b. Baden
Smith, John, 16, b. Nassau
Smith, Mathias, 12, b. MI
Smith, Anton, 9, b. MI
1880 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS, KENT CO., MI, 2 June 1880
SCHMIDT, PETER, 61, Retail Grocer, b. Nassau (Parents b. Nassau)
Schmidt, Catharine (Wife), 60, Keeping House, b. Hesse Darmstadt (Parents b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, John (Son), 25, Retail Grocer, b. Nassau (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, Matthew (Son), 22, Stone Cutter, b. MI (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, Anton (Son), 18, Grocer Clerk, b. MI (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Live at 198 Straight Street.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN CITY DIRECTORIES, 1889-90
Name: Peter Schmidt
Location 2: 198 Straight
Year: 1889
City: Grand Rapids
State: MI
*****
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF PETER SCHMIDT
I, PETER SCHMIDT, of the City of Grand Rapids, County of Kent and State of Michigan, being in good Health and of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make and execute this my last will and testament, hereby revoking any former will by me heretofore made.
FIRST: I hereby constitute and appoint my son, CARL SCHMIDT, to be the executor of this my last will, directing him to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses out of my Estate.
SECOND: After the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses, I give and devise to my beloved wife, KATHARINA SCHMIDT, all my property, personal, real and mixed of which I may be possessed at the time of my death, to have and to hold the same for and during the term of her natural life.
THIRD: After her death my Estate shall be divided as follows:
To my sons, JOHN SCHMIDT and ANTON SCHMIDT, each the undivided half of LOT NUMBER THREE (3) STRAIGHT STREET, SCRIBNER ADDITION to the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, with all the appurtenances thereto belonging; also all the personal property consisting of Household goods and Furniture, Stock of Groceries, Merchandise and Provisions, Horse, Waggons, Sleigh, Harness and other effects which may be left at the time of her, my wife KATHARINA SCHMIDT'S death, or to their legal heirs, to have and to hold the same for their use and benefit forever, in consideration of which, they my said sons, JOHN SCHMIDT and ANTON SCHMIDT shall pay a certain promissory note given by me to SEBASTIAN HOMRICH with the interest thereon and all other debts contracted in the Grocery Business.
My other Children, AUGUST SCHMIDT, CAROLINE PULTE, CARL SCHMIDT and MATHIAS SCHMIDT, having received real estate or other property from me during my lifetime, shall not share in the division of my Estate and shall consider the property already received in lieu of all claims against my Estate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
PETER SCHMIDT [his signature]
PETER SCHMIDT, the above named testator did on this 24th day of June 1882 in the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, subscribe his name to the foregoing Instrument consisting of one sheet of Paper, in the presence of each of us as witnesses and published, declared and acknowledged that foregoing instrument to be his last will and testament, and we the undersigned, and not being interested therein, at the request of said PETER SCHMIDT, in his presence and where he could and did see us sign our names, and in the presence of each other, did on this day and at this place above named, subscribe our names hereto as attesting witnesses.
FRANCIS SCHORSCH Residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.
AUGUST SCHMIDT Residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Received and Filed March 27, 1900, by A.E. Ewing, Register of Probate
*****
REGARDING PETER SCHMIDT'S LEG & SALOON:
"It is thought that being a cabinet maker by trade, may have had something to do with it. Those days, wood was held in place with the knee as one sawed. There was some thought that he had tuberculosis of the bone, so the knee joint was removed. A little bend was left in the leg so that it would be better for sitting, which left it short for standing and walking. To compensate for that, he made the contraption himself, strapped it to his leg and partly sat on it as he walked. It was buried with him. Can you imagine serious surgery like that done way back when? The poor dear must have had quite a time of it too. Someone, I think it was ANNA SCHMIDT BROWN, said she remembered him being carried into church on a chair during a Mission, and a relic of St. Peter Klaver was placed on his knee."
"UNCLE ANTHONY said his father had a saloon at one time. If men came in that already had more than enough, Peter refused to serve them. Some people accused him of taking their money until they were drunk, then he would throw them out. Rather than have that said about him, he got out of that business."
~~Letter from FLORENCE ALOYSIA SCHMIDT (#54407264) to MICHAEL J. CRONK, March 21, 1973
IN MEMORIAM
PETER SCHMIDT, whose death occurred at 2:35 this morning, was a native of Wa[l]lmerod, Province of Nassau, Germany. He came to this city in the fall of 1855, and has resided on the West Side ever since. He was a cabinetmaker by trade.
In the winter of 1856-7, while at work in Mr. Winchester's shop, he was taken sick with inflammatory rheumatism and white swelling, which confined him to bed for over two years, and left him and his family in very low circumstances after his recovery. Although left lame by the disease he again worked at his trade and succeeded in providing for his family till his children became old enough to assist him.
In 1869 he went into the grocery business at No. 198 Straight street, which was the first store in that part of the city.
He leaves a widow and six grown up children, CHARLES, AUGUST, JOHN, MATHEW and ANTHONY, who compose the firm of SCHMIDT BROS., of West Fulton street, and the monument dealers on Canal street, besides a daughter, MRS. AUGUST PULTE, of Reed, Tex. He has been confined to his house for two years on account of heart disease, which finally caused his death. He was 73 years old. His funeral will take place from St. Mary's church Saturday at 8 a.m., and the remains will be interred in Mt. Calvary cemetery.
GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Jan. 8, 1892, Pg. 2, Col. 3, Art. 1
This same obituary appears in: THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jan. 7, 1892, Pg. 4, Col. 4, Art. 2
*****
NOTE: Although PETER SCHMIDT'S gravestone has his death date as January 10, 1892, his probate papers list his death as January 7, 1892, and his obituary appeared in the January 8, 1892, issue of the GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT.
****************************~ooOoo~****************************
PETER SCHMIDT is the son of PETER JOSEF SCHMIDT & VERONICA NINK. He was born in Wallmerod, Nassau, Germany. His grandparents are MATHIAS SCHMIDT & ANNA CATHERINA BLUM. And his gr-grandparents are PETER SCHMIDT & ANNA CATHARINA WAGENER. Peter's parents, grandparents and great-grandparents remained in Germany.
*****
GERMAN MARRIAGES, 1558-1929
Groom's Name: PETER SCHMIDT
Groom's Birth Date: 11 Feb 1819
Groom's Birthplace: Wallmerod
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: CATHARINA GOELZ
Bride's Birth Date: 1819
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 02 Apr 1848
Marriage Place: Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany
Groom's Father's Name: PETER JOSEPH SCHMIDT
Groom's Mother's Name: VERONIKA NICK
Bride's Father's Name: MORITZ GÖLZ
Bride's Mother's Name: MARGARETHA SCHEMEL
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status:
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M94960-6
System Origin: Germany-EASy
Source Film Number: 1053802
Reference Number:
*****
On March 30, 1859, for the sum of $100, JAMES & ELIZA SCRIBNER, of the City of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Mich., deeded to PETER SCHMIDT of the City of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Mich., Lot No. 3, Straight Street, of J. Scribner's Addition to the City of Grand Rapids. Witnesses: HAIL C. SCRIBNER & C.N. FAXON.
RECORD OF DEEDS, Kent County, Michigan, Book No. 17, Page No. 153
The SCRIBNER'S ADDITION to the City of Grand Rapids can be viewed in the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) site at:
SCRIBNER'S ADDITION MAP
*****
1860 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (5th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 21 June 1860
SMITH, PETER, 41, Cabinet Maker, b. Nassau
Smith, Catharine, 41, b. Hesse Darmstadt
Smith, Caroline, 12, b. Nassau
Smith, Charles, 9, b. Nassau
Smith, Augustus, 7, b. Nassau
Smith, John, 5, b. Nassau
Smith, Matthew, 3, b. MI
1870 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (5th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 25 August 1870
SMITH, PETER, 51, Grocer (ret.), b. Nassau
Smith, Catharine, 51, Keeping House, b. Hesse Darmstadt
Smith, Charles, 19, Laborer, b. Baden
Smith, August, 18, Laborer, b. Baden
Smith, John, 16, b. Nassau
Smith, Mathias, 12, b. MI
Smith, Anton, 9, b. MI
1880 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS, KENT CO., MI, 2 June 1880
SCHMIDT, PETER, 61, Retail Grocer, b. Nassau (Parents b. Nassau)
Schmidt, Catharine (Wife), 60, Keeping House, b. Hesse Darmstadt (Parents b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, John (Son), 25, Retail Grocer, b. Nassau (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, Matthew (Son), 22, Stone Cutter, b. MI (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, Anton (Son), 18, Grocer Clerk, b. MI (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Live at 198 Straight Street.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN CITY DIRECTORIES, 1889-90
Name: Peter Schmidt
Location 2: 198 Straight
Year: 1889
City: Grand Rapids
State: MI
*****
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF PETER SCHMIDT
I, PETER SCHMIDT, of the City of Grand Rapids, County of Kent and State of Michigan, being in good Health and of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make and execute this my last will and testament, hereby revoking any former will by me heretofore made.
FIRST: I hereby constitute and appoint my son, CARL SCHMIDT, to be the executor of this my last will, directing him to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses out of my Estate.
SECOND: After the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses, I give and devise to my beloved wife, KATHARINA SCHMIDT, all my property, personal, real and mixed of which I may be possessed at the time of my death, to have and to hold the same for and during the term of her natural life.
THIRD: After her death my Estate shall be divided as follows:
To my sons, JOHN SCHMIDT and ANTON SCHMIDT, each the undivided half of LOT NUMBER THREE (3) STRAIGHT STREET, SCRIBNER ADDITION to the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, with all the appurtenances thereto belonging; also all the personal property consisting of Household goods and Furniture, Stock of Groceries, Merchandise and Provisions, Horse, Waggons, Sleigh, Harness and other effects which may be left at the time of her, my wife KATHARINA SCHMIDT'S death, or to their legal heirs, to have and to hold the same for their use and benefit forever, in consideration of which, they my said sons, JOHN SCHMIDT and ANTON SCHMIDT shall pay a certain promissory note given by me to SEBASTIAN HOMRICH with the interest thereon and all other debts contracted in the Grocery Business.
My other Children, AUGUST SCHMIDT, CAROLINE PULTE, CARL SCHMIDT and MATHIAS SCHMIDT, having received real estate or other property from me during my lifetime, shall not share in the division of my Estate and shall consider the property already received in lieu of all claims against my Estate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
PETER SCHMIDT [his signature]
PETER SCHMIDT, the above named testator did on this 24th day of June 1882 in the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, subscribe his name to the foregoing Instrument consisting of one sheet of Paper, in the presence of each of us as witnesses and published, declared and acknowledged that foregoing instrument to be his last will and testament, and we the undersigned, and not being interested therein, at the request of said PETER SCHMIDT, in his presence and where he could and did see us sign our names, and in the presence of each other, did on this day and at this place above named, subscribe our names hereto as attesting witnesses.
FRANCIS SCHORSCH Residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.
AUGUST SCHMIDT Residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Received and Filed March 27, 1900, by A.E. Ewing, Register of Probate
*****
REGARDING PETER SCHMIDT'S LEG & SALOON:
"It is thought that being a cabinet maker by trade, may have had something to do with it. Those days, wood was held in place with the knee as one sawed. There was some thought that he had tuberculosis of the bone, so the knee joint was removed. A little bend was left in the leg so that it would be better for sitting, which left it short for standing and walking. To compensate for that, he made the contraption himself, strapped it to his leg and partly sat on it as he walked. It was buried with him. Can you imagine serious surgery like that done way back when? The poor dear must have had quite a time of it too. Someone, I think it was ANNA SCHMIDT BROWN, said she remembered him being carried into church on a chair during a Mission, and a relic of St. Peter Klaver was placed on his knee."
"UNCLE ANTHONY said his father had a saloon at one time. If men came in that already had more than enough, Peter refused to serve them. Some people accused him of taking their money until they were drunk, then he would throw them out. Rather than have that said about him, he got out of that business."
~~Letter from FLORENCE ALOYSIA SCHMIDT (#54407264) to MICHAEL J. CRONK, March 21, 1973
PETER SCHMIDT, whose death occurred at 2:35 this morning, was a native of Wa[l]lmerod, Province of Nassau, Germany. He came to this city in the fall of 1855, and has resided on the West Side ever since. He was a cabinetmaker by trade.
In the winter of 1856-7, while at work in Mr. Winchester's shop, he was taken sick with inflammatory rheumatism and white swelling, which confined him to bed for over two years, and left him and his family in very low circumstances after his recovery. Although left lame by the disease he again worked at his trade and succeeded in providing for his family till his children became old enough to assist him.
In 1869 he went into the grocery business at No. 198 Straight street, which was the first store in that part of the city.
He leaves a widow and six grown up children, CHARLES, AUGUST, JOHN, MATHEW and ANTHONY, who compose the firm of SCHMIDT BROS., of West Fulton street, and the monument dealers on Canal street, besides a daughter, MRS. AUGUST PULTE, of Reed, Tex. He has been confined to his house for two years on account of heart disease, which finally caused his death. He was 73 years old. His funeral will take place from St. Mary's church Saturday at 8 a.m., and the remains will be interred in Mt. Calvary cemetery.
GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Jan. 8, 1892, Pg. 2, Col. 3, Art. 1
This same obituary appears in: THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jan. 7, 1892, Pg. 4, Col. 4, Art. 2
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NOTE: Although PETER SCHMIDT'S gravestone has his death date as January 10, 1892, his probate papers list his death as January 7, 1892, and his obituary appeared in the January 8, 1892, issue of the GRAND RAPIDS DEMOCRAT.
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PETER SCHMIDT is the son of PETER JOSEF SCHMIDT & VERONICA NINK. He was born in Wallmerod, Nassau, Germany. His grandparents are MATHIAS SCHMIDT & ANNA CATHERINA BLUM. And his gr-grandparents are PETER SCHMIDT & ANNA CATHARINA WAGENER. Peter's parents, grandparents and great-grandparents remained in Germany.
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GERMAN MARRIAGES, 1558-1929
Groom's Name: PETER SCHMIDT
Groom's Birth Date: 11 Feb 1819
Groom's Birthplace: Wallmerod
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: CATHARINA GOELZ
Bride's Birth Date: 1819
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 02 Apr 1848
Marriage Place: Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany
Groom's Father's Name: PETER JOSEPH SCHMIDT
Groom's Mother's Name: VERONIKA NICK
Bride's Father's Name: MORITZ GÖLZ
Bride's Mother's Name: MARGARETHA SCHEMEL
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status:
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M94960-6
System Origin: Germany-EASy
Source Film Number: 1053802
Reference Number:
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On March 30, 1859, for the sum of $100, JAMES & ELIZA SCRIBNER, of the City of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Mich., deeded to PETER SCHMIDT of the City of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Mich., Lot No. 3, Straight Street, of J. Scribner's Addition to the City of Grand Rapids. Witnesses: HAIL C. SCRIBNER & C.N. FAXON.
RECORD OF DEEDS, Kent County, Michigan, Book No. 17, Page No. 153
The SCRIBNER'S ADDITION to the City of Grand Rapids can be viewed in the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) site at:
SCRIBNER'S ADDITION MAP
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1860 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (5th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 21 June 1860
SMITH, PETER, 41, Cabinet Maker, b. Nassau
Smith, Catharine, 41, b. Hesse Darmstadt
Smith, Caroline, 12, b. Nassau
Smith, Charles, 9, b. Nassau
Smith, Augustus, 7, b. Nassau
Smith, John, 5, b. Nassau
Smith, Matthew, 3, b. MI
1870 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (5th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 25 August 1870
SMITH, PETER, 51, Grocer (ret.), b. Nassau
Smith, Catharine, 51, Keeping House, b. Hesse Darmstadt
Smith, Charles, 19, Laborer, b. Baden
Smith, August, 18, Laborer, b. Baden
Smith, John, 16, b. Nassau
Smith, Mathias, 12, b. MI
Smith, Anton, 9, b. MI
1880 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS, KENT CO., MI, 2 June 1880
SCHMIDT, PETER, 61, Retail Grocer, b. Nassau (Parents b. Nassau)
Schmidt, Catharine (Wife), 60, Keeping House, b. Hesse Darmstadt (Parents b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, John (Son), 25, Retail Grocer, b. Nassau (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, Matthew (Son), 22, Stone Cutter, b. MI (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Schmidt, Anton (Son), 18, Grocer Clerk, b. MI (Father b. Nassau / Mother b. Hesse Darmstadt)
Live at 198 Straight Street.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN CITY DIRECTORIES, 1889-90
Name: Peter Schmidt
Location 2: 198 Straight
Year: 1889
City: Grand Rapids
State: MI
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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF PETER SCHMIDT
I, PETER SCHMIDT, of the City of Grand Rapids, County of Kent and State of Michigan, being in good Health and of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make and execute this my last will and testament, hereby revoking any former will by me heretofore made.
FIRST: I hereby constitute and appoint my son, CARL SCHMIDT, to be the executor of this my last will, directing him to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses out of my Estate.
SECOND: After the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses, I give and devise to my beloved wife, KATHARINA SCHMIDT, all my property, personal, real and mixed of which I may be possessed at the time of my death, to have and to hold the same for and during the term of her natural life.
THIRD: After her death my Estate shall be divided as follows:
To my sons, JOHN SCHMIDT and ANTON SCHMIDT, each the undivided half of LOT NUMBER THREE (3) STRAIGHT STREET, SCRIBNER ADDITION to the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, with all the appurtenances thereto belonging; also all the personal property consisting of Household goods and Furniture, Stock of Groceries, Merchandise and Provisions, Horse, Waggons, Sleigh, Harness and other effects which may be left at the time of her, my wife KATHARINA SCHMIDT'S death, or to their legal heirs, to have and to hold the same for their use and benefit forever, in consideration of which, they my said sons, JOHN SCHMIDT and ANTON SCHMIDT shall pay a certain promissory note given by me to SEBASTIAN HOMRICH with the interest thereon and all other debts contracted in the Grocery Business.
My other Children, AUGUST SCHMIDT, CAROLINE PULTE, CARL SCHMIDT and MATHIAS SCHMIDT, having received real estate or other property from me during my lifetime, shall not share in the division of my Estate and shall consider the property already received in lieu of all claims against my Estate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
PETER SCHMIDT [his signature]
PETER SCHMIDT, the above named testator did on this 24th day of June 1882 in the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, subscribe his name to the foregoing Instrument consisting of one sheet of Paper, in the presence of each of us as witnesses and published, declared and acknowledged that foregoing instrument to be his last will and testament, and we the undersigned, and not being interested therein, at the request of said PETER SCHMIDT, in his presence and where he could and did see us sign our names, and in the presence of each other, did on this day and at this place above named, subscribe our names hereto as attesting witnesses.
FRANCIS SCHORSCH Residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.
AUGUST SCHMIDT Residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Received and Filed March 27, 1900, by A.E. Ewing, Register of Probate
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REGARDING PETER SCHMIDT'S LEG & SALOON:
"It is thought that being a cabinet maker by trade, may have had something to do with it. Those days, wood was held in place with the knee as one sawed. There was some thought that he had tuberculosis of the bone, so the knee joint was removed. A little bend was left in the leg so that it would be better for sitting, which left it short for standing and walking. To compensate for that, he made the contraption himself, strapped it to his leg and partly sat on it as he walked. It was buried with him. Can you imagine serious surgery like that done way back when? The poor dear must have had quite a time of it too. Someone, I think it was ANNA SCHMIDT BROWN, said she remembered him being carried into church on a chair during a Mission, and a relic of St. Peter Klaver was placed on his knee."
"UNCLE ANTHONY said his father had a saloon at one time. If men came in that already had more than enough, Peter refused to serve them. Some people accused him of taking their money until they were drunk, then he would throw them out. Rather than have that said about him, he got out of that business."
~~Letter from FLORENCE ALOYSIA SCHMIDT (#54407264) to MICHAEL J. CRONK, March 21, 1973
Inscription
PETER SCHMIDT
Feb. 11, 1819
Jan. 10, 1892
FATHER
