Charles Frederick Schmidt

Lifespan: December 13, 1864 – May 16, 1920

Summary

Born December 13, 1864 in Joliet, Will County, Illinois. Son of John Schmidt and Elizabeth Rabe. Married Maria Katharina Wilhelmina Vollmer (“Minnie”) on December 13, 1883 in St. Peter, Nicollet County, Minnesota. Eleven children (3 sons, 8 daughters). Occupation: farmer. Died May 19, 1920 in Cleveland, Le Sueur County, Minnesota, age 55. Buried at Savidge Lake Cemetery, Cleveland.

Relationships

• Parents: John Schmidt (b. 1822, Mecklenburg) & Elizabeth Rabe (Dec 12, 1846–1918, born Germany/Prussia) — 24-year age gap
• Wife: Maria Katharina Wilhelmina Vollmer “Minnie” (Feb 28, 1863–Sep 10, 1905, born Freeport, IL) — m. Dec 13, 1883, St. Peter, Nicollet Co, MN
• Children (11 total — per 1900 census, FamilySearch, and sibling list):
  • Minnie Elizabeth Schmidt (Oct 30, 1884–Oct 5, 1976, Cleveland, MN) — m. Orange Pettis Flowers (1906), then Paul R. Hagel (1945). 13 children. Buried Savidge Lake Cemetery.
  • Mamie Caroline Schmidt (1886–1919) — m. Davis
  • Anna Smidt (1886–?) — same birth year as Mamie, possible twin. Not in 1900 census household.
  • Frederick John L Schmidt (Jan 1888–Jan 31, 1939)
  • Louise Sophia Schmidt (Dec 1889–1971)
  • Katherine Sophia Schmidt (May 1891–1977)
  • Lillian Christine “Lill” Schmidt (Feb 1893–1968)
  • Charles H. Schmidt (b. Sep 1895 — per 1900 census. Not in sibling list — likely died young.)
  • Gilbert Charles Schmidt (Sep 15, 1897–Sep 28, 1961) — buried Savidge Lake Cemetery (Find A Grave #48411008)
  • Florence Sophia Schmidt (May 1899–1989)
  • Loretta W Schmidt (1902–1982) — the 10th/11th child, born after 1900 census

Sources

• FamilySearch (birth, marriage, death, burial details)
• 1900 US Census, Cleveland, Le Sueur County, Minnesota (lines 56–65) — primary source
• 1910 US Census, Cleveland Township, Le Sueur County, Minnesota (line 97)

Research Notes

• Born in Joliet, Will County, Illinois — second-generation German-American
• Married on his 19th birthday (Dec 13, 1864 / Dec 13, 1883)
• Wife Maria died Sep 10, 1905 age 42 — Charles was a widower for 15 years. Buried at German Lake Lutheran Cemetery, Elysian.
• 1900 census: Maria listed as “Minnie” — nickname for Wilhelmina
• “Tilly” from 1910 census was actually Lilly E. (b. Feb 1893) — handwriting T/L confusion
• 1900 census Maria’s parents listed as born Germany; 1910 census children list mother’s birthplace as Illinois. FamilySearch says born Freeport, IL with German-born parents. Illinois is most likely correct per FamilySearch and census pattern.
• 1910 household only shows Fred, Tilly (Lilly), and Charles H. — the 6 daughters had married or left home by then
• FamilySearch said “at least 2 sons and 8 daughters” (10). Sibling list from Minnie Elizabeth’s page shows 10 siblings = 11 total children. Anna Smidt (1886) not in 1900 census — possible twin with Mamie who died young or lived elsewhere. Charles H. from 1900 census not in sibling list — likely died young.
• Loretta W Schmidt (1902–1982) is the child born after the 1900 census.
• Buried at Savidge Lake Cemetery, Cleveland — different cemetery than wife Minnie (German Lake Lutheran Cemetery, Elysian). FamilySearch had death as May 16; Find A Grave memorial #45767683 says May 19.
• Find A Grave: memorial #45767683
• Died same year as Joseph Krumpos (1920) — his grandson Clifford would marry into the Krumpos family 27 years later