Bio of William C. SCHMIDT (b.1871), Wabasha Co., MN

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, 1920

William C. SCHMIDT, a progressive farmer of Plainview Township, who by 
hard work and perseverance has accomplished excellent results in the 
development of a farm in section 34, was born in Germany, September 28, 
1871, son of Fred and Minnie Schmidt.  He was educated in his native 
land, where he grew to manhood.  In 1891 he sought the United States 
as a land of greater opportunity than his own, and coming directly to 
Minnesota, settled on Oak Ridge, Winona County.  For seven years 
thereafter he worked as a farm laborer, practicing economy and saving 
his money.  He then took another step in advance, purchasing his present 
farm of 80 acres in section 34, Plainview Township, Wabasha County. 
The land was covered with heavy timber, and the task of clearing it was 
not easy, but he went at it with energy, working early and late felling 
the timber and grubbing and breaking the land until he has developed his 
present excellent farm.  In 1914 he remodeled the residence, which 
stands in a fine yard, has erected a modern barn, 36 by 56 feet, with 
a basement fully equipped for stock, and has also put up a number of 
outbuildings and installed a full set of modern farm machinery.  These 
achievements have placed him among the representative citizens and 
agriculturists of his township.  In his labors he has considered comfort 
and artistic effect as well as utility, having laid out a fine lawn 
ornamented with flowers and shrubbery, the house being protected by a 
wind-break of Norway pine and spruce.  The farm is well stocked with 
grade Durham cattle, and Chester-White swine and Poland-China swine.  
Mr. Schmidt was married March 2, 1899, to Lizzie Hoffmann of Plainview 
Township, and daughter of Louis and Anna Hoffmann, old settlers of 
Wabasha County, who carried on a farm near Potsdam, until they retired 
in 1916, and moved to the village of Elgin where they now live. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have been the parents of five children:  Anna, 
born March 14, 1900; Albert, June 16, 1901; Clara, August 24, 1903; 
Velva, July 2, 1907; and Arthur, born July 24, 1911, who died May 15,
1915.  The family are members of the Lutheran church, and have a high 
standing in the community.
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