Gustav Schmidt

As printed in 1916

GUSTAV SCHMIDT.

Gustav Schmidt is well known throughout Otter Tail county, Minnesota, as the leading hardware merchant of Underwood, having been in business there for some fourteen years, or since 1902. When he first purchased the stock and building, the stock was invoiced at twenty-two hundred dollars and the business has so prospered that the present stock, exclusive of all farm machinery, engines for farm purposes, etc., will easily figure up to five thousand dollars. Mr. Schmidt employs three people and his business years a general air of prosperity which is agreeable to see. Mr. Schmidt possesses business ability of a high order and his honorable methods of dealing with his customers has won him many friends.

Gustav Schmidt was born in Germany, June 27, 1861, son of Gottlieb and Wilhelmina Schmidt. Both parents were also natives of the same section, where he was a farmer, and passed their entire lives in that region. He died in 1N70. and after his death the mother came to this country and died about 1900. having never remarried. Both were members of the Lutheran church and most excellent people. Mr. Schmidt is one of a family of four children, the eldest of whom, August, died in Germany, a veteran of the Franco-Prussian War. Carl lives in Wisconsin and is a stone and brick mason by trade, and Julius, the youngest of the family, died on his farm in ( tter Tail county, about six miles east of Underwood.

Gustav Schmidt was educated in the public schools of his native land and was brought up to work. He fulfilled the time of his compulsory military service, hut his country was in no action during those years, In

1887 he came to America, joining his brother, who was located in Wisconsin, and there he secured work by the day. He later went to South Dakota and hired out to farm work by the month for a couple of years and then took up farming on his own account on rented land. He later purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in this state, where he lived for four years and sold out and came to Otter Tail county. He purchased a farm of one hundred and nine acres in Tordenskjold township, where he lived for two years and then disposed of his farming interests and became interested in the hardware business.

Mr. Schmidt endorses the platform of the Republican party, although taking no especial interest in such matters, and he holds his religious membership with the Lutheran church. He has served as a member of the town board and has in other way? given evidence of his interest in all matters pertaining to the advancement of any phase of community life. Mr. Schmidt has been thrice married. His first wife was Matilda Geide, who died some six or seven years after marriage, leaving four small children. Of these Emma is a clerk in her father's store; Pauline and Reinholdt are at home, and the youngest died in infancy. Mr. Schmidt married Bertha Washer for his second wife; there being no issue to that union. His third wife was Mrs. Anna Hover, and to them one child was born, but died early in life. Mr. Schmidt is acknowledged to be one of the leading business men of Underwood and stands high in the estimation of both business acquaintances and personal friends.

As printed in History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.