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Adam Schmitz

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Adam Schmitz

Birth	:	21 Jul 1848 Germany
Death	:	12 Dec 1924 USA
Burial	:	Saint Boniface Cemetery, Westphalia, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.7219009, -95.3944016
Description	:	ADAM SCHMITZ. In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career on the part of the average agriculturist there is little to attract the reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the actual reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity, and toiling on, finally wins not only pecuniary independence but, what is far greater and... Read More	ADAM SCHMITZ. In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career on the part of the average agriculturist there is little to attract the reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the actual reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity, and toiling on, finally wins not only pecuniary independence but, what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have brought him in contact. When these attributes and accomplishments have been strengthened by the development and exercise of powers of leadership among his people, the individual under observation becomes noteworthy and an interesting subject for personal review. Such a man is found in the person of Adam Schmitz, a successful retired farmer and pioneer citizen of Westphalia, Shelby county, Iowa. Mr. Schmitz is one of the most prosperous and intelligent German~American citizens of the county and is an able and well~educated citizen who has been a valued member of the famous Westphalia community for upwards of over forty years. He is one of the sturdy figures of the pioneer era and is rated as one of the wealthiest of the landed gentry of his county. Adam Schmitz was born on July 21, 1848, in Cologne, Germany. He is the son of John and Marianna (Mannus) Schmitz, who were the parents of four children, as follows: Adam, of whom this chronicle directly reads; William, a retired farmer of Westphalia; Antone, a farmer occupying the old Schmitz homestead; Christ, who died about 1893. It is a matter of record that in the fall of the year 1862 John Schmitz and his family embarked aboard a sailing vessel which was leaving their home city bound for the land of promise and opportunity—America. He was imbued with the idea that in this far~off land across the great, wide ocean, would be found opportunity to prosper and found homes for his children, and that they would grow up free and independent Americans and in turn rear families of children endowed with comfortable fortunes in their own right. It is probable that dreams such as these engrossed the mind of the German emigrant as the slow~moving vessel followed the track of the trade winds which were taking them each day nearer to this country. Adam was a child of thirteen years when this eventful voyage was made and remembers the wonders of the great trip vividly. Six long weeks were consumed in making the trip which is now a matter of days and hours with the swift~moving steam monsters plowing the mighty deep. The vessel landed at New York city and the wonders of the New World began to unfold in reality before the eyes of the immigrants. Then began the journey to St. Louis, which consumed two weeks longer. They traveled by rail to the city of Pittsburg and then embarked on an Ohio river steamboat for Cairo, Illinois, there to take boat again for St. Louis. John Schmitz left his family in the city and traveled over Missouri, looking at the land. He journeyed as far as Jefferson City, and while somewhat impressed with the opportunity presented in the cheap lands of this state, he was deterred from making a permanent settlement here by the disrupted condition of this war-torn border commonwealth. He also decided that the Missouri lands were too rough and hilly and accordingly he left St. Louis in February of 1863 and went to Freeport, Illinois, after a short period of labor in St. Louis, where he was engaged as mule teamster. He also followed teaming and railroad work at Freeport. He worked at farm labor on the farms contiguous to Freeport and became the owner of a home. While residing in Freeport he heard of the cheap, rich lands in Iowa and in 1866 he came here and invested his savings in eighty acres of prairie land in Benton county. Here he erected a home and increased his holdings to one hundred and sixty acres. Seven years later the project of establishing a Catholic settlement in the county of Shelby attracted wide attention among the German. Catholic agriculturists and John was induced to come to Shelby county in 1873 and invest in a half section of fine, unbroken prairie land in Westphalia township.. This land cost him eight dollars and fifty cents an acre, fifty cents of which was a church tithe, the balance going to the railroad land company which was establishing the settlers on the lands. John, the father, sent Adam and WVilliam to the county in 1874 for the purpose of breaking up a portion of the acreage and planting a crop. The sons returned home in 1875 and Adam was sent hack to place more land under cultivation. On this second trip Adam met his future wife and refused to return home. The father then came and made arrangements for the erection of a large barn, forty by thirty~two feet, for the building of which Adam hauled the lumber from Avoca. The lumber and timbers for this building were purchased of Thomas Ludowitch. A carload of stones was shipped from Jones county to Shelby to serve for the foundation and these were hauled from the new town of Shelby. In the spring of 1875 carpenters built the barn and fixed two rooms suitable for housekeeping. Thereupon, Adam was married on May 20, 1875, and he and his young wife began housekeeping in the barn and made their home in the two rooms fixed up for the purpose. John Schmitz sent a carload of horses and cattle and Antone came on to help with the farm work. On June 20, of 1878, the wife of John Schmitz died in Benton county and John then sold out his holdings there and joined his sons in Shelby county. He brought with him a carload of cattle, a carload of horses and a train load of supplies, which were unloaded at Dunlap. John Schmitz became quite prosperous in Shelby county and owned a great deal of land, at one time being the possessor of over one thousand acres. After the father's death, on July 24, 1882, the land was divided among the sons and Adam received one hundred acres in section 28, of Westphalia township, on which he made his future home. To this farm he added sixty acres a little later and prospered as his father had before him. He continued buying land until he became the owner of over seven hundred acres, which has been disposed of to his children on the contract sale plan, which gives them ample time in which to pay for the lands. Adam now resides on a forty~acre farm in the town of Westphalia and has been retired from active farm work for the past ten years. Adam Schmitz was married on May 20, 1875, to Marianna Zimmerman, who was born in Westphalia, Germany. She is a daughter of John Zimmerman, and was born in 1851 and emigrated. to America in 1873. The Zimmermans came to Westphalia in 1873 direct from Germany. John and Marianna Zimmerman, his wife, were the parents of four children, as follows: Emil, deceased in 1911 ; Marianna, the wife of Mr. Schmitz; Joseph, a merchant of Panama; Mrs. Regina Kernan, of Westphalia township. To Mr. and Mrs. Adam Schmitz have been born four children: Mrs. Mary Schwery, of Westphalia township; Mrs. Josephine Khule; of Westphalia; Emil, of the old homestead; Mrs. Ida Kernan, of near Defiance, in Greeley township. They also have one adopted daughter, Rosa, aged thirteen years, at home. Politically, Mr. Schmitz has always been allied with the Democratic party. He is not narrow and bigoted in his political affiliations, however, as he adopts an independent attitude in local politics, preferring to vote for the individual rather than for any political platforms. He believes that better government results from independent voting and has consistently followed this policy when it became necessary to exercise the right of suffrage in the selection of township and county officers. Mr. Schmitz has filled practically every elective and appointive office in his township and for the past twenty years has served as clerk of the township school board and as justice of the peace. He is treasurer of the Westphalia Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is one of the prominent and useful members of the Catholic church at Westphalia, which is the pioneer church of this denomination in Shelby county. Mr. Schmitz takes a keen and active interest in all matters which have a tendency to advance and promote the welfare of his home community and county and is greatly interested in preserving the valuable history which has been made in Shelby county. The value of this historical volume has been greatly enhanced by a special chapter giving the history of the Catholic people of the county and especially the history of Westphalia township, which has been written by him for insertion in the pages of this work. He is a hale, hearty and genial individual, and is broadminded in his attitude toward all public questions. A county and community is bettered and made a desirable place in which to live by the acquisition of citizens such as Mr. Schmitz. 1915 PAST AND PRESENT OF SHELBY COUNTY IOWA BY EDWARD S. WHITE, B.A., LL.B. B.F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana pages 1408 - 1411 Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (F.A.G. Member #47102630) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ From Westphalia, IA 1872-1997 book "PRESERVING OUR PAST, ENSURING OUR FUTURE" Adam Schmitz, (7/21/1848~12/12/1924), married Mariana Zimmerman (10/21/1851~5/21/1933). Their children were: Mary; Josephine (b.4/6/1881), married Mathias Kuhle (b.1876); Ernil (9/12/1882~1966), married Maria Von Tersch (1885~1967); Barbara (b.11/15/1888); Ida (11/17/1890~4/23~1915), married William Coenen; Rose, (b.8/14/1901), married Martin Zimmerman (1902~1974), son: Ronald. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (F.A.G. Member #47102630)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Adam Schmitz's memorial?
Adam Schmitz's memorial is located at: Saint Boniface Cemetery, Westphalia, Shelby County, USA.
When did Adam Schmitz death?
Adam Schmitz death on 12 Dec 1924 in USA
Where are the coordinates of the Adam Schmitz's memorial?
Latitude: 41.7219009
Longitude: -95.3944016

Family Members:

Spouse

Mary Anna Zimmerman Schmitz

(1851 - 1933)

Children

Mary Anna Schmitz Schwery

(1877 - 1965)

Emil Schmitz

(1882 - 1966)

Regina Wilhelmina “Ida” Schmitz Coenen

(1890 - 1915)

Rose Schmitz Zimmerman

(1901 - 1997)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Boniface Cemetery
Westphalia, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7219009, -95.3944016

2. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Earling, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7797012, -95.4207993

3. Saint Marys Cemetery
Panama, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7332993, -95.4811020

4. Washington Township Cemetery
Panama, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7305984, -95.4867020

5. Harlan Cemetery
Harlan, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6594505, -95.3281403

6. Lincoln Township Cemetery
Harlan, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6422005, -95.4028015

7. Rose Hill Cemetery
Kirkman, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7317009, -95.2767029

8. Union Township Cemetery
Defiance, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8269005, -95.3471985

9. Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery
Defiance, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8269005, -95.3450012

10. Slates Cemetery
Kirkman, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7605000, -95.2521000

11. Saint Mary's Cemetery
Portsmouth, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6519012, -95.5233002

12. Doyle Cemetery
Earling, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8051000, -95.5087000

13. Cass Township Cemetery
Portsmouth, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6272115, -95.4958362

14. Gallands Grove RLDS Holcomb Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8342018, -95.4788971

15. Abel Galland Memorial Cemetery
Manteno, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8370000, -95.4932500

16. Fairview Township Cemetery
Corley, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5856500, -95.3207500

17. Bowmans Grove Cemetery
Harlan, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6617012, -95.2130966

18. Folck Cemetery
Harlan, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6198000, -95.2456000

19. Oak Hill Cemetery
Irwin, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7813988, -95.2074966

20. Danway Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7296982, -95.1900024

21. Manteno Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8343964, -95.5367355

22. Astor Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8636017, -95.2853012

23. Chambers Cemetery
Persia, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6018982, -95.5681000

24. Red Line Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7178574, -95.1517029