Obit: Schmidt, Gottlieb (1848 – 1933)

Contact: Linda Mertens
Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schmidt, Thiel, Allar, Leslie, Genrich, Wickman, Krase, Koleburg, Leitchnam, Zimmer, Sorenson

----Source - Anna Johnson's Scrapbook

Gottlieb Schmidt (14 Mar 1848 – 3 Oct 1933)

Again Dorchester is called upon to mourn the loss of one of its most respected citizens. G. F. Schmidt, or Father Schmidt, as he is better known to many of us, passed away Tuesday night at 11:55 o’clock at the home of his son, William, at Rib Lake after an illness of three months. Death was due to cancer. The body was brought to his home in the village Wednesday where it laid in state until today (Friday) when funeral services will be held at the home at 1:45 and at the Salem Evangelical church at 2:00 o’clock, with Rev. L. G. Thiel officiating. Interment will be made in the Memorial cemetery with J. E. Allar, M. M. Leslie, G. H. Genrich, E. M. Sorenson, Andrew Sorenson and Herman Krase acting as pallbearers.

Gottlieb Frederick Schmidt was born in Hanover, Germany, March 14, 1848. He came to Sheboygan, Wis. with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Schmidt, at about the age of 7 years. He grew to manhood in Sheboygan and on December 23, 1872 he was married to Miss Ida Koleburg. In 1880 they moved to Dorchester and settled on a farm southwest of the village where they lived for 35 years. Eighteen years ago they built the present home in the village where Mrs. Schmidt died Sept. 14, 1930.

Four children were born to them, one daughter, Mrs. Elsie Leitchnam, who passed away several years ago, and the three living children, 2 sons, William of Rib Lake, Charles of Milan, and Mrs. Bertha Zimmer, of Thorp. Beside the children, there are 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Fred Wickman, of Oshkosh, left to mourn his loss.

On December 23, 1922 the Schmidt’s celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their children, grandchildren and friends at the Little White church, that Father Schmidt had helped to found and to build. Many lovely gifts and greetings of love were received by them and it was an event long remembered by all who were present.

Mr. Schmidt was always ready and willing to do all he could for his community and church. He was a charter member of the Evangelical church and organized the first Sunday school, he was always active and enthusiastic in everything that pertained to the church and will be sorely missed by all.

Beside his church activities, he was chairman of the Town of Mayville for 21 years, from 1892 to 1913, and one year he acted as chairman of the county board. Nor was that all, for after Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt moved to the village 18 years ago, he was elected Village President and held the office until he felt he was too old for active service. The members of the Village Board presented him with a very nice gift in appreciation of his long and active service as a member of that body.

So his life was spent in one act of service, and now he is gone to that larger, fuller life where sorrow and trouble never come.

We join in offering sincere sympathy to the mourning ones, whose sorrow must be mingled with joy when they think of him whose wise council aided them over many a troublesome time and may the thought of him make them go bravely on in the same service he gave.