J. Henry Schnitzel Biography


	This biography appears on pages 364-367 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				J. HENRY SCHNITZEL.  

	J. Henry Schnitzel, the general manager of the Golden Reward 
Consolidated Gold Mining & Milling Company, has headquarters at 
Deadwood and is well known as a mining expert and an administrative 
officer of ability. He was born in Gernsheim, Bavaria, Germany, on the 
20th of September, 1860, a son of Phillip and Fredericka (Kobler) 
Schnitzel. The father was a native of the same locality and an officer 
in the German army, as were all of his brothers. He was connected with 
military affairs until his death, which occurred in 1864. The mother 
came of a long established family who were also prominent in the army. 
She died in the same year as did her husband, in 1864.  

	J. Henry Schnitzel was an only child and was left an orphan when 
but four years of age. His grandmother and uncle became his guardians 
and he was given excellent educational opportunities From five to ten 
years he attended a military school and then attended Latin school and 
later college. He specialized in the study of chemistry as applied to 
manufacturing and received his degree as a pharmacist when twenty years 
of age. In the meantime he had gained considerable experience as a 
druggist and after gaining his degree he worked for one year for the 
Merk Chemical Company at Darmstadt and then came to the United States 
on a visit to relatives living in Monmouth, Illinois. At that time he 
had no idea of making his home in this country, but he entered the 
employ of his uncle, who conducted a packing house at that place, and 
was given charge of the plant and office, in that way securing a 
thorough business training. At the same time he kept informed as to the 
advancement in chemistry.  

	In 1886 Mr. Schnitzel came to Deadwood, where he was employed in 
a butcher shop for about a year, and at the same time worked for the 
carbonate camp in the Bald mountain district, remaining with them until 
1890. He was then employed as a chemist and assayer in the Deadwood & 
Delaware smelter until 1894, and in the meantime developed some mining 
properties of his own in Wyoming and Montana, which he still owns. 
During that period he was also executive for George W. Perkins, 
president of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in his mining 
operations. In 1894 Mr. Schnitzel established an assay and chemical 
office in Lead and incidentally engaged in mining on his own account by 
leasing and working property belonging to him. He continued as an 
assayer and chemist until 1904 and his business in that line became 
very extensive, affording employment at times for one hundred men He 
also continued the development of his mining properties and realized 
large returns from his ventures. In the fall of 1905 he was made 
general manager of the Golden Reward Consolidated Gold Mining & Milling 
Company, whose property was located in the Bald mountain district in 
1895 by Harris Franklin, who was actively identified with it for many 
years but finally sold his interest. It is the largest mine in the 
district and outside of the Homestake the largest in the Black Hills. 
The work of Mr. Schnitzel as general manager has been very satisfactory 
to the directors, as he has instituted many new and improved processes 
and has been very progressive in all phases of operation. In developing 
the property he seeks always to avoid waste of time, labor or ore, and 
by his efficient methods secures the largest return with the least 
expenditure of money and energy. 

	Mr. Schnitzel was for many years interested in the cattle 
business in Wyoming on an extensive scale but sold out in 1912. He is a 
director in the Consolidated Power & Light Company of Deadwood and in a 
number of mining corporations. He is now devoting practically his 
entire time and thought to the Golden Reward Company and his successful 
record as its general manager is the natural result of the 
concentration of his abilities upon his work in that capacity. 

	On the 12th of May, 1895, Mr. Schnitzel was united in marriage to 
Miss Lena Scheuble, of Lienheim, Baden, Germany. To their union have 
been born three children: Phillip Frederick and Henry. 

	Mr. Schnitzel is well know fraternally, being a member of the 
Golden Star Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., of Lead; Golden Belt Chapter, No. 
35, R. A. M., of Lead; Lead Commandery, No. 18, K. T.; Black Hills 
Council, No. 3, R. & S. M.; Black Hills Consistory, No. 3, A. & A. S. 
R., of Deadwood; and of Naja Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Deadwood. 
His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he has 
never been active in polities, as his business interests have demanded 
his undivided attention. He is one of the representative and respected 
mining men of the Black Hills and has gained not only financial 
independence but also the esteem of those who come in contact with him.