CHARLES SCHMIDT & BRO., PROPRIETORS MARBLE YARD, 93 CANAL ST.

The senior member of the firm, CHARLES, was born at Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany, Nov. 21, 1850. When five years of age, he accompanied his parents to Grand Rapids, Mich., where the father was employed as a cabinet maker. When 13 years of age, Mr. Schmidt commenced to learn the marble-cutter's trade, and seven years later formed a partnership with Anton Hirth in the stone business. The firm remained there in business until 1874, when the stock was removed to Eighth ward. In 1878 Mr. Schmidt removed to 77 Canal St., subsequently to No. 89, and in October 1880, the firm purchased their present property. Mr. Schmidt was married in 1875, to SOPHIA CORDES, a native of Alpine Twp., whose parents settled in Kent County at an early date. Of the three children given them, two survive -- THEODORE and FREDDIE C. An infant named WILLIE is deceased. Mr. Schmidt is a member of St. Joseph's Mutual Aid Society, St. Mary's Catholic Church, and the Families' Protective Society of the Roman Catholic Church of Michigan, as is also his brother Gustave [AUGUST]. The junior member was born Aug. 19, 1852, and learned his trade with his brother. He was married in 1876, to CATHERINE HOMRICH, a native of Byron Twp. They have two children -- ANNIE and CAROLINE. MARY is deceased. The firm of C. Schmidt & Bro. do all kinds of marble and cemetery work, and deal in Italian and American marbles and granites. They employ seven men in business and the amount of work turned out will amount to $12,000 annually. They undoubtedly have the largest trade in Kent County, and have established an excellent reputation for good work and fair prices.

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN (Illus), C.C. Chapman & Co., Chicago, 1881, Pgs. 1119-1120 (Grand Rapids City)

NOTE: To date, I have never seen any evidence of the existence of either a "WILLIE" SCHMIDT, reputed son of Charles Schmidt, or a "MARY" SCHMIDT, reputed daughter of August Schmidt. Neither have gravestones in the Schmidt family plot at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Chapman's History of Kent County is known for having an abundance of errors...such as referring to AUGUST SCHMIDT as 'GUSTAVE' in the above biographical sketch.

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AFTER LONG ILLNESS

EX-ALDERMAN CHAS. SCHMIDT DIED YESTERDAY

HAD BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OVER FORTY YEARS--WELL KNOWN IN BUSINESS CIRCLES

Ex-Alderman CHARLES SCHMIDT of the ninth ward, died at his residence, No. 158 Summer street, yesterday morning after a long illness. For two years he had been a sufferer from dropsy and though he was attended by some of the most skilled physicians and surgeons the disease finally caused death. Twice he was operated upon and about a year ago he went to Texas in hopes that the change of climate would prove beneficial. Doubtless his life was prolonged by his trip and careful treatment but the end was not unexpected. For many months he had been confined to his home. Deceased was born in Germany forty-six years ago and came to Grand Rapids with his parents in 1855, having resided here ever since. He was elected alderman of the ninth ward in the spring of 1893 and served one term, being succeeded by Alderman Frank Wurzburg in 1895. He was senior member of the firms of CHARLES SCHMIDT & BROTHER, monument dealers on Canal street, and Schmidt Brothers, general store keepers on West Fulton street. He was a member of the St. Joseph society and at one time its president. Mr. Schmidt was a reliable business man, a highly respected citizen and a public-spirited councilman. He was well and favorably known, particularly among his native citizens and though his serious condition had been generally known the announcement of his death will be received with much regret. Deceased leaves a widow, three sons, THEODORE, FRED and FRANK, and one daughter, JOSIE. The funeral will take place next Monday morning at 8 o'clock from St. Mary's church, corner of First and Turner street. Members of the council will attend in a body.

THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Friday, Sept. 25, 1896, Pg. 5, Column 4, Article 4

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DEATH RECORD

SCHMIDT - At No. 160 Summer street, Sept. 24, of pleuritic and pericordial effusion, CHARLES SCHMIDT, age 46. Mt. Calvary.

THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sat. Morn., Sept. 26, 1896, Pg. 2, Column 5, Obit. 2

************************~ooOoo~************************

GERMAN BIRTHS & BAPTISMS, 1558-1898
Name: CARL SCHMIDT
Gender: Male
Baptism/Christening Date: 08 Dec 1850
Baptism/Christening Place: Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany
Birth Date: 21 Nov 1850
Birthplace: Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany
Death Date:
Name Note:
Race:
Father's Name: PETER SCHMIDT
Father's Birthplace:
Father's Age:
Mother's Name: CATHARINA GOETZ
Mother's Birthplace:
Mother's Age:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C94960-4
System Origin: Germany-EASy
Source Film Number: 1053798
Reference Number:
NOTE: The entry can be seen on Page 39, Record #219, of the original record book.

KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN, MARRIAGE RECORDS (1875), Pg. 173, Record No. 5152 - CHARLES SCHMIDT & SOPHIA CORDES, married 23 November 1875, St. Mary's Church [Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI]. CHARLES (Stone Mason), 25, b. Germany. SOPHIA, 20, b. Alpine, Mich.

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1880 U.S. CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS, KENT CO., MI, 1 June 1880
SMITH, CHARLES, 26, Manufacturer Marble, b. Germany (Parents b. Germany)
Smith, Sophia (Wife), 25, Keeping House, b. MI (Parents b. Germany)
Smith, Theodore (Son), 2, b. MI (Father b. Germany / Mother b. MI)
Smith, Frederick (Son), 6/12, b. (Nov.) MI, (Father b. Germany / Mother b. MI)
Live at 209 Indiana Street.

*****

THE GREAT MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

Lengthy article on the opening of the Fourth Peninsular Sæenger fest, on Lyon street, in the new Sænger Hall. In a list of the "large number of places in the city ornamented and decorated" for the occasion is mentioned CHAS. SCHMIDT & BRO.

THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mon., Aug. 22, 1881, Pg. 4, Cols. 3-4

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ST. MARY'S CHURCH, WEST SIDE.

A handsome baptismal font is now being made for this church by the SCHMIDT BROS., marble cutters, 93 Canal street. It will be cut out of Euclid freestone. The design is chaste and elegant. The h[e]ight of the front will be three feet two inches, diameter two feet and one inch. The pedestal will be Gothic, carved and surrounded by eight octagonal columns, interspersed with richly carved panels.

NOTE: This article goes on to discuss St. Mary's five chime bells and the proposed church spire.

GRAND RAPIDS DAILY EAGLE, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Dec. 16, 1881, Pg. 2, Col. 1, Art. 6

*****

1884 MICHIGAN CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (4th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 12 June 1884
#1, SCHMIDT, CHAS (Husband), 33, b. Germany (Parents b. Germany), Propr. Marble Works, Resided in MI 29 Yrs.
#2, Schmidt, Sophia (Wife), 28, b. MI (Parents b. Germany), Housewife
#3, Schmidt, Theodore (Son), 6, b. MI (Father b. Germany / Mother b. MI), At School
#4, Schmidt, Freddie (Son), 4, b. MI (Father b. Germany / Mother b. MI), At Home
#5, Schmidt, Frank (Son), 2, b. MI (Father b. Germany / Mother b. MI), At Home
Live at 93 Canal St.

*

1884 MICHIGAN CENSUS, GRAND RAPIDS (4th Ward), KENT CO., MI, 12 June 1884 (SCHEDULE 4 - MANUFACTORIES, MINES, FISHERIES - PRODUCTS OF INDUSTRY) - For Twelve Months Beginning June 1, 1883 and Ending May 31, 1884.

Name of Corporation, Company or Individual (Producing to the Value of $200 or Over, Annually): CHAS. SCHMIDT & BROS.
Name of Business, Manufacture, or Product: MARBLE WORKS
Capital (Real and Personal) Invested in the Business: $7000
Greatest Number of Hands Employed at Any One Time During the Year: 8
Number of Hours in the Ordinary Day of Labor (Adults.)
May to November: 10 [HOURS]
November to May: 10 [HOURS]
Average Day's Wages for a Skilled Mechanic: $2.00
Average Day's Wages for an Ordinary Laborer: $1.50
Total Amount Paid in Wages During the Year, in Dollars: $3600
Months in Operation: 12
Machines Used (Name or Description): NONE
Number [of Machines]: -BLANK-
Kind of Power (Steam, Water, Wind, Horse, or Hand): HAND
Materials (Including Mill Supplies & Fuel
Kind: MARBLE & STONE
Quantity: 7 CAR LOADS
Value (Omitting Fractions of a Dollar): $3000 + $300 = $3300
Productions (Including Jobbing & Repairing)
Kind: MANUFACTURE HEAD STONES AND OTHERS
Quantity: -BLANK-
Value: $10000

*****

SCHMIDT BROS. have just completed a frame block, two stories high, with three stores, at the corner of Straight and West Fulton streets. It has already been occupied by a hardware, a grocery and a flour and feed store.

THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jun. 11, 1885, Pg. 4, Col. 3, Art. 1 (Excerpt from "Effects of the Bridge")

NOTE: Excerpt from an article "Effects of the Bridge" stating how the West Side is growing since the New Bridge was built at Fulton Street.

*****

THE MEMORIAL CHAPEL.

BIDS RECEIVED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE McMANUS MONUMENT.

A meeting of the McManus Monument association will be held Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, at the St. Andrew's school house hall, for the purpose of accepting the plans and opening the bids for building the monument. Bids for the construction of the chapel have been received by the association committee from Vincent Bros., CHAS. SCHMIDT & BROS., and J.D. Boland & Co.

The total cost of the Gothic memorial chapel to be erected in honor of the Rev. Father McManus this summer will be about $3,500. It will be placed on a suitable site in the Catholic cemetery, and its ground dimensions will be 19 by 20 feet, the height 30 feet. The chapel will be constructed of cut stone, lined with brick. The stone is to be Ohio stone of the same color and quality as that used in the construction of the city hall.

THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Mar. 4, 1887, Pg. 4, Col. 2, Art. 2 (The Memorial Chapel.)

*****

The contract has been awarded CHARLES SCHMIDT & BROS. of Canal street, at $2,960, to erect the McManus memorial chapel. Work will be commenced as soon as the weather will permit.

THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Wed., Mar. 9, 1887, Pg. 4, Col. 1, Item 15 (City News. - Brief Mention.)

*****

SILENT CITIES.

ADORNED BY MEMORY AND WITH MEMORIALS OF LOVE.

"There's a city, vast yet voiceless,
Growing ever, street on street.
Friends with friends are ever meeting,
Ever meeting, never greet."

Grand Rapids, busy and stirring, has yet found time, and its pulsing heart found the love to corporate several beautiful silent cities and to sadly people them with their loved and lost. They are beautiful cities, made so by the tender care of those who have mourned, but who have found relief in making the loved ones' last earthly haven majestic.

A beautiful monument, designed by CHAS. SCHMIDT & BROS., seen yesterday, led an Evening Leader representative to pass a half day in observation and enquiry, and the subject, always interesting (for who has not an interest in some silent city?), is worthy of note.

Monuments. Memorials. No better exponents of art in marble are known in Michigan then the firm mentioned above. Years of experience, during which the demand has steadily grown, have placed them in the van, and skilled draughtsmen and workers in marble and granite have evolved the shaft, monument, sarcophagus and vault of modern design and original conception. With the beginning of the present year MESSRS SCHMIDT BROS. largely extended their works and erected at the corner of West Fulton and Straight streets a large building, L shaped, each part 60 feet in length by 20 wide as an extension of their well known Canal street establishment, here many skilled men, under the direct supervision of MR. MATTHEW SCHMIDT, are busy creating in granite the varied designs that are so celebrated, every modern appliance is at hand, and work is finished, carefully finished as quickly as the art has known. Years of experience have given MR. CHARLES SCHMIDT, of the firm, knowledge invaluable and his opinion and criticism is of great worth, and have given them a prestige not only in the state, but far reaching, as their work erected in many great cities testify.

And in this business, perhaps more than in others, good taste is more than necessary. It is demanded often as a religious duty by those who love the lost.

Cultured people, and those of prominence have seemed to be especially their customers. Names are perhaps improper in this article, but were but a few of them given they would well illustrate the fact that the firms' clientele are of the highest class. This fact is of importance to all who desire memorials, and is, in the truest sense a test and proof of the superb, perfect work done.

At 93 Canal street the visitor sees in marble and granite many beautiful things, and examines designs drawn by a master hand. "Excellence" is the aim, and the aim has been fully attained.

THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mon., Mar. 4, 1889, Pg. 11, Col. 2, Art. 1 (Silent Cities.)

*****

In connection with the Parish of St. Mary's, the cemetery is used by the Parish of St. Adelbert, the Polish Catholic church. The first member of the parish buried in this "city of the dead," was Frank Berles, August 5, I884; although prior to this several children of Polish families had been interred there. Among the monuments in the course of construction, is a very elegant mausoleum to the memory of Father Ehrenstrasser, costing about five thousand dollars. There are many small but tasty monuments, among which are noticed those of Frank Berles,, Peter Kreider, Frank Roetz, Charles Greulich, John Goebel and Peter Beierly, mainly the work of CHARLES SCHMIDT, a member of the congregation.

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN by Albert Baxter, Munsell & Company, Publishers, New York and Grand Rapids, 1891, Pg. 410 (Excerpt from 'Mount Calvary Cemetery')

*****

CHAS. SCHMIDT & BROS.

Fair visitors have scarcely an idea of the amount of labor and expense incurred in making such an exhibit as is shown by the above popular manufacturers of fine monumental work. In one portion of the main hall they have a large display of beautiful and artistic monuments which, with but one exception, were all designed and created at their own factory in this city.

Among the handsome shafts is a Scotch granite, and a Swedish granite both imported from their respective countries. The firm have converted these stones into magnificent designs and they are greatly admired by thousands of spectators. Messrs Geo. Simpson and John Murphy are in charge of the exhibit and the novel exhibition is truly appreciated by all. It was a commendable act of the firm in bringing these ponderous stones to the fair and it contributes greatly to its success. The office and salesroom are at 93 Canal street. The factory and polishing mill are on the corner of West Fulton and Strait [Straight] streets.

THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Sept. 18, 1891, Pg. 2, Col. 3, Art. 4 (Grand Rapids Day. - Chas. Schmidt & Bros.)

*****

FIRST PREMIUM ON MONUMENTS

Even first premium and diploma, the highest honor that could be conferred, will scarcely recompense CHAS. SCHMIDT & BROS. for the philanthropic spirit shown by them in taking their heavy and costly exhibit to the fair. The awards were cheerfully given on the display covering best work manufactured in Grand Rapids. The designs seen were the most artistic ever seen on monumental work.

THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sat., Sept. 19, 1891, Pg. 4, Col. 2, Art. 4 (Counting the Profits. - First Premium on Monuments.)

NOTE: Excerpt from a larger article, "Counting The Profits.", regarding the results of the Kent County Fair.

*****

SCHMIDT BROS. store on West Fulton street was burglarized last evening of $23 in money.

THE EVENING LEADER, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sat., Nov. 7, 1891, Pg. 1, Col. 2, Item 3 (Brief Mention.)

*****

KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DEATH RECORDS (1896), Pg. 30, Record No. 5654 - CHARLES SCHMIDT, died 24 September 1896, in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI, aged 45 yrs., 10 mos., 3 days. He died of "Dropsy of Chest". Charles was a Stone Cutter and b. in Germany, son of PETER & CATHERINE SCHMIDT.

*****

NOTE: According to information received from descendant, Suzanne (Hake) Marbach on 1 August 2002, Charles and Sophia, in addition to the four children listed below, had an eldest son, KARL WILLIAM SCHMIDT, born 2 April 1877, in Grand Rapids, Mich. No further information is known on Karl, at this time.