John Henry Schmidt died at his home on East Lincoln St. at 5:15 this morning of kidney trouble, following an illness of about three weeks duration. It was really the first illness of his life. He had had a physician once before and that was when he was thrown from horse and hurt his shoulder.

The funeral will be held at the German Lutheran Church at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, Rev. A.W. Lambrecht officiating.

Deceased was born in Germany December 15, 1839, and was married there to Miss Elsie Stamp. They came to this country in 1870 and settled first at Fremont but moved to this city shortly thereafter, Mr. Schmidt engaging in the blacksmithing trade, which he followed for number of years. He moved out on a farm south of town for short time but sold it to Chris Miller and moved back to Blair.

His wife died May 5, 1910, and he has lived alone since that time.

Three survive him, George H, of Herman, Mrs. Claus Klink, of Broadwater, Nebraska, and Mrs. Henry Rethwisch, of Carroll Nebraska. Mr. Schmidt was a pleasant, kindly man to meet and will be greatly missed by his many friends. The bereaved children have the sympathy of all who know them and him.

# 2 Printed in the August 4, 1915 Tribune

Another Pioneer Gone

John H Schmidt, One of Blair's pioneer settlers, died in the Blair hospital on Wednesday at 5 AM of July 28, 1915.

Mr. Schmidt was born in Ramstorf, Schleswig Holstein, Germany, November 29, 1839, coming to this country in 1870 and settling in Fremont, Nebraska where he lived but a short time and then moved to Blair.

He entered the blacksmithing business here in which business he continued until 1895 when he moved to a farm which he had purchased about five or 6 miles southwest of town. He followed farming until 1905, when he moved to Blair where he resided until his death.

He was married in Germany and the two elder children were born there and two more afterward born in this country, all of whom, with the exception of one, are now living and have families of their own. These are George Henry Schmidt of Herman, Mrs. Henry Redwich of Carroll, Nebraska and Mrs. Claus Klink of Broadwater, Nebraska and seven grandchildren.

His wife preceded him to the great beyond in May 1910 and the children are alone left to mourn his loss.

He was sick but about two weeks and had every care that loving hands could provide but to no avail.

The funeral services were held in the German Lutheran church of the city on Friday, July 30, where with the casket buried in an overabundance of beautiful floral offerings the last respects to all that was once John H. Schmidt was shown.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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