Joseph Schmitt, born in Baden, Germany; died late 1860s at Galena, Jo Daviess, Illinois; married in Baden to Catharina Kloft who was born in Baden.
They immigrated from the Grand Duchy of Baden to the U.S. in 1840 and located at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. They moved to Galena in 1846.
He was a harness maker. They lived on Franklin Street in Galena. They were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Galena. He was Naturalized as a U.S. citizen in Jo Daviess County Circuit Court on 31 October 1864.
In the 1860’s and 1870’s, their sons Herman and Valentine owned a barber shop at 97 Main Street in Galena under the name “Schmitt and Bro”.
Known children, born in Baden:
+ MARGARETHA SCHMITT, born 20 July 1828(5); married THOMAS BISCHOF HELLSTERN.
Possibly Joseph Schmitt, born about 1830 in Germany; married 1856-57 in Jo Daviess County (Book B, page 146) to Catharine Deiderhofer who was born about 1836 in Germany. He was a journeyman saddler. 1860 Census: Joseph Smith, page 409, visit 668/706, Galena (3rd Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. Known child: Joseph Schmitt, born about July 1859.
Herman Schmitt, born 1834(5); died 24 June 1895(5) at Chicago, Cook, Illinois; married 1864 in Jo Daviess County (Book B, page 468) to Rachel Steimle (probably daughter of Andrew and Catharine Steimle) who was born about 1845 in Baden, Germany. He was a barber. They lived on Franklin Street in Galena; later they lived on Ridge Street near Hill Street. 1870 Census: Herman Schmidt, page 116, visit 027/028, Galena city, Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1880 Census: Herman Schmitt, page 276, visit 126/126, Galena (4th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. He is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery at Galena (Section 5, lot 20). Known children, born at Galena:
Samuel Schmitt, born 12 January 1865(5); died 17 January 1866(5); buried with father.
Mary Katherine Schmitt, born 1867(5); died 1894(5); buried with father.
Anna Schmitt, born about 1869.
Frances Schmitt, born about 1871.
August Schmitt, born about 1873.
John Schmitt, born about 1877.
Valentine Schmitt, born 28 December 1837; died 16 June 1919 at Galena; married 29 January 1859 in Jo Daviess County (Book B, page 218) to Mary Ann McLaughlin who was born about January 1838 in England and apparently died before the 1910 census. He was a barber. They lived on Third Street in East Galena. [Her parents were both born in Ireland; but lived in England for many years before coming to the U.S. in 1852.] 1850 Census: Valentine Smith (with August Kehl), page 284, visit 2923/2927, Galena, Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1860 Census: Valentine Smith, page 513, visit 1404/1489, Galena (5th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1870 Census: Valentine Smith, page 153,visit 554/587, Galena city, Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1880 Census: Valentine Smith, page 232, visit 194/198, Galena (1st Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1900 Census: Valentine Smith, page 059, visit 074/075, Galena (1st Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1910 Census: Valentine Schmitt (widower), page 091, visit 149/151, Galena (1st Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. They had eleven children, six of whom died before the 1900 census. Known children, born at Galena:
George H. Schmitt, born about December 1859. He was a barber.
Mary Elizabeth Schmitt, born August 1861; died July 1864.
Henrietta Schmitt, born March 1863; died 26 July 1864.
Valentine Schmitt, born about 1865.
Mary E. Schmitt, born February 1870.
Rachel Schmitt, born about 1874.
Theresa Schmitt, born about 1879.
Nellie L. Schmitt, born about March 1883. 1910 Census: (single, with father).
Maria Anna Schmitt, born about 1839.
Margaretha Schmitt, married Thomas Hellstern. Last revision: 24 Mar 2006
Allendorf to America: Erner and Related Families in America.
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