History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 107

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 107

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Charles G. Schmidt, a native of Prussia, was born November 7th, 1833. Came to America with his parents, and landed at Buffalo, New York, September 10th, 1837. In October, 1838, he removed to Milwaukee, where he resided a number of years, during which time he was en- gaged eight years in the harness business, and two years in manufacturing brick. In Jan- uary, 1863, he came to St. Paul, and started the first distillery in the place. In 1867 he engaged in the shoe finding and wholesale saddlery hard- ware business, and is now senior partner of the wholesale saddlery hardware firm of Schmidt and Miller, 344 Sibley street. He married in Septent- ber, 1867, Anna Gerke, of Wisconsin.

Conrad Schmidt was born in 1824, iu Germany, where he obtained a common school education,

and learned the trades of blacksmith and machin- ist. In 1847 he came to America, and worked at luis trade in New York city eleven years. Then went to Sandusky, Ohio, for a short time, and thence to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked at his trade four years. In 1864 he came to St. Paul and opened a restaurant at 49 West third street. It is one of the finest in the city, and his tables are always found supplied with the best of every- thing in the market. In 1853 he married in New York, Josephine Zahm.

William Schmidt, a native of Prussia, was born in 1837. When three years of age he went with his parents to Buffalo, New York; thence to Milwaukee, where they remained .but one year, and finally, in 1864, located in St. Paul. Mr. Schmidt was in a liquor store and distillery for a time, with his brother ; afterward with F. Rich- ter, firm name being Schmidt and Richter. In 1877 he went into business by himself. The firm is now known as Schmidt and Company. The place of business is 25 Robert street, During the . rebellion he was forced into the Confederate army, in 1863, but deserted the next year. He married Mary Schwand, in Wisconsin. Of their six children but one is living, Paul.

P. Schmidt is a native of Baden, Germany, born in 1811. Came to America in 1852, landing at New Orleans. He then came to St. Paul, and at once purchased a home in Reserve, and there lived until 1873. Coming at that time to St. Paul, he has since made this city his home. In 1837 he married Theresa Beikhoffer. They have five children, two sons and one daughter at St. Paul, one daughter in La Crosse, and one in Reserve.

II. Schroder was born in Germany in 1828. His early days were passed in his native land, and in 1851 he came to America ; and to St. Paul, in 1857. Bought a farm in Reserve in 1864, on which he lived till 1872, when moved to the city. He now lives at number fifty, Iglehart street.

Henry Schneider, son of Henry and Anna Schneider, was born May 25th, 1845, at Hessen, Germany. IIe learned the butcher's trade in his native land, and in 1864 came to America. Lived four years in New York, and in 1868 came to this city; two years later he established the Robert street meat market, where he has since done a prosperous business. The building is 40x20

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feet and two stories in height; he also has barns and every facility for doing a first-class trade. Minnie Otto, of this place, became his wife Sep- tember 29th, 1872. She is a native of Prussia. They have one son, Henry.

Julius Schneider, a native of Prussia, was born in 1852. In 1867 he emigrated to America und until 1871 lived in New York, where he learned the butcher's trade. In 1871 he began in this city his present prosperous business; he has a good brick building at the corner of St. Peter and Martin streets, known as the Como meat market. It is 20x40 feet and two stories high; has dwelling in the second story and on the first floor one of the best and neatest market rooms in the city. Mr. Schneider married in this place in December, 1875, Aususta Peters, who was born at Chicago, Illinois. Albert and Julius, Jr., are their children.

Charles H. Schnittger, dealer in boots and shoes, was born November 9th, 1836, in Germany. In 1844 he came to America and to St. Paul in 1855. When seventeen years of age he was ap- prenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade. From 1855 until 1857 he was engaged as salesman, then started in the grocery trade, corner Seventh and Olive streets, in company with F. Knauft. Two and one-half years later he sold his interest to his partner and was again employed as sales- man until 1862, when for two years he was in the notion business; then embarked in the dry goods trade with C. Timme. This firm existed until 1879 when Mr. Timme retired and Mr. Schnitt- ger has since controlled the business alone, at 275 East Seventh street. In 1861, May 17th he mar- ried, in the city, Elizabeth Lindenkohl, of Good- hue county. They have had seven children, six are living.

Hermann Schnell, a native of Germany, was born in 1843, and was educated in the old coun- try. In 1859 he accompanied his father's family to America, and was engaged in the boot and shoe business with his father at Belle Plaine, Minnesota, until 1875 when he began business for himself at St. Paul in company with C. Franke. The latter retired January 1st, 1881, and Mr. Schnell has since conducted the business at 74 East Seventh street. He married at Belle Plaine in 1866, Margaret Eckert, who died May 5th, 1875, leaving one daughter, Cora. Mary Siebert

became his wife at St. Paul in 1878. She has borne him two children, Minnie and Alfred.

Andrew Schoch, son of Philip Jacob Schoch and Magdalena Adrion Schoch, was born May 10th, 1850, in Wurtemberg. He attended the public. schools of his native country and left Germany, May 11th, 1866, for America; resided for a time in Carver county, Minnesota, then in Minneapo- lis, and in 1871 came to St. Paul. May 2d, 1874, he engaged in grocery business, succeeding the firm of J. L. Hulsink.

H. H. Schroder was born January 30th, 1834, in Germany. August 15th, 1860, he came to this city and in February, 1863, started in a small way in the furniture business. The trade gradu- ally increased and in 1866 he erected a commodi- ous building, which was destroyed by fire in 1872. Mr. Schroder being an energetic man, immedi- ately rebuilt and in 1874 enlarged his building, making the fine store 16 and 18 East Sixth street, where he continues his business successfully. Sophia Fritz of this city became his wife January 7th, 1864. They have had five children, two of whom are living.

B. Schueler was born in 1840, in Germany. Came to America in 1854 and lived two years with his parents on a farm near Baltimore, Mary- land; then returned to Germany and learned the trade of cabinet-maker. During the year of 1866 he served in the Prussia-Austria war, in the Seventy-second regiment, Volunteer Infantry, of the province of Saxony, Prussia. October, 1866, he returned to the United States, and worked at his trade in New York city three years; since that time he has been a resident of St. Paul. In the spring of 1881, he in company with T. Trick and W. Geib, began contracting and building. Their place of business is 17 East Sixth street. Mr. Schueler maried in 1866, Augusta Beck, in Ger- many. They are the parents of ten children, five of whom are living.

C. Schuler, a native of Germany, was born in 1848. When nineteen years of age he came to the United States; located at St. Paul and was for three and one-half years employed as clerk in a grocery house. He served the firm of Schmidt and Richter is the capacity of book-keeper about six months, and then established a grocery trade for himself. Three years later he went to his native country on a visit and upon returning to St. Paul

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he again entered the employ of Schmidt and Richter. Afterward he was again in the grocery business by himself for about four years and then returned to Schmidt and Company as book-keeper. Miss Susan Phieffer became his wife in Septem- ber, 1871. They have two children, Charles and Albert. Two died in infancy.

M. A. Schultz was born in 1851, in Germany, and was educated at the Rostock university, Prussia, graduating in 1866. In 1869 he came to America; lived a short time near IIastings, Min- nesota, then went to Missouri, from there to Ten- nessee, Florida and Texas. In August, 1867, he returned to Hastings, Minnesota, then went to Dakota and spent a short time with his father. Mr. Schultz has been in the employ of the govern- ment on the Yellowstone; also worked for two years for E. A. Boyd at St. Cloud. Came to this city in 1872 and traveled five years for the whole- sale tobacco house of A. Hollerhoff; after which he went in business with II. P. W. Hansen, but withdrew from the firm September 14th, 1880, and opened his wholesale house at 87 and 89 West Third street. His marriage with Ida Steifel took place in this city in 1877.

Otto Schultz was born in 1852, in Germany. IIe graduated from the university of Rostock in 1866, and after leaving school, worked for a time in a grocery store. In 1869, he came to Minnesota, and worked one year for his brother-in-law; then in the spring of 1872, went to Winnipeg where he clerked for Thornton and Sutherland two years. He afterward embarked in trade in the Mennonite colony, in company with Mr. Penner. In the fall of 1879, he came to this city and associated him- self with Schultz and Hansen; his brother, M. A. Schultz withdrew from the firm in 1880. They deal in fancy groceries and delicacies at 127 West Third street. He was married in this city in October, 1880, to Rosa Stiefel.

Fritz Schumacher was born in 1838, in Lux- emburg, where he was given a common school education. In 1865, he came to America; lived two years in Cleveland, Ohio, and while there learned the trade of upholstering. He resided in Chicago one year, and then in Milwaukee until 1869, when he removed to Minneapolis. In 1873, he came to St. Paul, worked at his trade four years, and then went into the liquor business; he is located at 180 West Third street. His marriage

with Kate Sulinger, took place in this city in 1875. She has borne him four children, three of whom are living.

J. H. Schurmeier was born in April 1828, in Germany. In 1848, he moved to St. Louis, where he worked at wagon making for his brother. He came to this city in 1852, and started in a small way, the wagon and carriage business; his trade has steadily increased until now he has the larg- est manufactory of the kind in the North-west. He has large shops on Rosabel street, between Sixth and Seventh, where he has a fifty horse- power engine, and employs over forty men. ITis work always gives satisfaction and has been many times awarded premiums. Mr. Schurmeier is one of the thriving and wealthy men of the city. Ile married Caroline Wenzel, of St. Louis, in 1849. They have had eight children; five sons and two daughters are living.

T. L. Schurmeier was born at St. Louis, Mis- souri, in 1852, and accompanied his parents to St. Paul in 1855. IIe was educated at the Baldwin university, of Ohio. From 1870, until 1875, he was in J. J. Hill's railroad office, then entered the First National bank as book-keeper, after- ward teller until July 1st, 1878, since which time he has had charge of the financial department of the firm of Lindekes, Warner and Schurmeier.

D. Schutte, a native of Germany, was born at Oldenburg, November 17th, 1829. In 1847, he moved to Wisconsin and worked at farming in Sheboygan county six years, then went to Lake Superior, and engaged in mining about two years, after which he was in the mercantile business twenty years at Superior City. Since 1874 he has been at St. Paul, doing a large flour and feed commission business, in his own commodious block. He also owns other fine buildings in the city, and is one of the wealthy men of the place.

A. W. Schwabe was born in 1858, in St. Paul, and received his education at the public schools of this place. Upon leaving school he worked five years at headquarters of the Department of Dakota. In May, 1878, he went in the grocery trade with Mrs. Iten; after a lapse of six months he bought her interest, and now owns the entire stock; he is located at 221 West Third street. Mr. Schwabe is one of St. Paul's active young business men, and has risen upon his own merits. Nicholas Schwemler was born in Germany, and

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received his education in his native land. In 1852, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he re- sided six years and learned the business of cigar maker. From there he went to Detroit, Michi- gan, and worked at his trade until 1861, when he enlisted in the Second Michigan, as private; one and one-half years later he was promoted to corporal, and afterward sergeant, for meritorious conduct in the field; in 1864 he was discharged, at expiration of term of service. He returned to Detroit, and worked at cigar making until 1867, when he came to this city. For a time ill health compelled him to retire from active business, which he was able to resume in 1872, and has gained a fine trade by honesty and strict attention to business. Minnie Hansdorf became his wife at Detroit, in March, 1864.

Channing Seabury, son of Dr. John Seabury, was born at Southbridge, Massachusetts, Janu- ary 5th, 1842. He was educated in the common schools, and at the academy of Bridgewater, Mass- achusetts. At the age of fifteen he left school. and worked as errand boy and clerk in the whole- sale and importing carpet house of Hastings and Plimpton, New York city, until 1860. Novem- ber 20th, of that year he came to St. Paul, and the following spring was employed by J. C. and H. C. Burbank. This firm was succeeded, in 1865, by A. H. Wilder and Company, with whom Mr. Seabury became a partner. Two years later they dissolved, and he became assistant secretary and treasurer of the North-western Union Packet company, remaining with them until their gene- ral office was moved to St. Louis some years after. In 1872 he became a partner in the whole- sale and manufacturing boot and shoe house of C. Gotzian and Company. In 1870, he married Fannie W. Cruft, of Terre Haute, Indiana, who died in 1878, leaving two children: Charles Wil- liam and John Edwin.

John Seeger was born December 19th, 1853, in Kentucky. When a child he went with his pa- rents to St. Peter, Minnesota, where they resided until 1862, when on account of the Indian out- break they moved to this city for one year. IIe afterward lived about five years in Le Sueur, and since then has been a resident of St. Paul. When eighteen years of age he became a partner with Charles Leonard in contracting and building, and continned for about five years when he went into

business alone as contractor, builder, lumber deal- er and box manufacturer. He now employs from eighty to one hundred men, and during the winter of 1880-'S1 put up five large elevators in Minne- sota and Dakota. His wife was Miss E. Yoerg, of this city, whom he married January 27th, 1877. They have one child living.

Elias Siebert was born in 1828, in Germany, where he obtained his education and learned the trade of stonemason. He entered the German army in 1848 and served three years. In 1857 he came to the United States; located at St. Panl and worked at his trade until 1862, when he en- listed in the Sixth Minnesota regiment as private; was promoted to orderly sergeant in the spring of 1863, for brave and meritorious conduct ; he served until the close of the war. While in the army he contracted that dread disease inflamma- tory rheumatism, from which he still suffers. For two years past he has been in the liquor trade, corner Sixth and Bridge streets. Married in 1869 at St. Paul, to Christina Bisnenstein, who has borne him four children, Philip, Christina, Gustoff and Ferdinand.

Albert Edward Senkler, whose father was a clergyman of the Church of England, was born March 8th, 1842, in Docking, Norfolk county, England. He received a liberal education at Brockville, Ontario, previous to entering the Uni- versity of McGill Medical college, Montreal. The degrees of doctor of medicine and master of sur- gery were conferred in May, 1863. Mr. Senkler emigrated to Canada with his parents at an early age, and in 1865 settled at St. Cloud, Minnesota, where from 1867 until 1875 he was examining surgeon for pensions. In 1873 he was chosen a member of the state board of health and served three years. He married in 1867, Frances Isa- bella, oldest danghter of George Easton, of On- tario, Canada. Dr. Senkler located in this city January, 1880.

Romaine Sheire was born, February 21st, 1833, at Lexington, Greene county, New York. Mr. Sheire and his parents, moved to Detroit, Michi- gan, in 1836. There he attended the public schools until eleven years of age, when they went into the country eight miles from Detroit, and he attended the common schools until sixteen years old, then commenced teaching. Two years later he returned to Detroit, where he worked at the

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carpenter's trade summers, and taught winters, until 1858 ; then for three years he followed the plan of working half of each day to support him- self and family, and attending school the other half day. At the breaking out of the civil war he abandoned the intention of graduating, and enlisted in company F, First regiment Michigan engineers. October 19th, 1861, he started for camp, leaving wife and three young children. Participated in all the battles of the army of the Cumberland, and in December, 1852, was promo- ted to sergeant. January 1st, 1864, he re-enlisted as a veteran. He took part in that memorable march to the sea, siege and capture of Savannah, capture of Columbia, the march through the Car- olinas and Virginia to Washington, and the grand review of General Sherman's army, May 26th, 1865. He was honorably discharged, October 1st, 1865, and two weeks later arrived with his family at St. Paul. From 1866 until 1872, he was a member of the firm of Leonard and Sheire. Mr. Leonard then withdrew, and Mr. Sheire continued business with other architects and builders. The deaf and dumb asylum, school for imbeciles, at Faribault, many of the fine churches, dwellings, and business blocks of this city and throughout the state, are proofs of their skill and ability. He was married August 20th, 1850, at Royal Oak, Michigan, to Elvira Hopkins. They have six children and four grand-children living. He is an active member of ten secret societies.

G. W. Sherwood, of American parentage, was born April 3d, 1833, at Greenville, Greene county, New York. Ile acquired a common school edu- cation, and in 1855, located in St. Paul. Mr. Sherwood's business is that of railroad contrac- tor and lumberman. His marriage with Adaline Hurd, of Unadilla, Otsego county, New York, occurred December 21st. 1853.

Rudolph Schiffmann, of German parentage, was born at St. Louis, Missouri, August 1st, 1845. He attended common schools and the uni- versities of Washington and St. Louis, and then engaged as apprentice in the drug business. After- ward read medicine with Professor A. Ham- mer, and later with Professor E. A. Clark, and graduated at the St. Louis Medical college in 1867. During the cholera epidemic of 1866-'67, he was assistant physician at the St. Louis city hospital. After graduation he received the ap- 39

pointment of acting assistant surgeon, United States army and served on the plains of Kansas and Colorado, under General Hancock, on the Indian expedition. In the fall of 1867, he went to New Mexico to engage in the practice of med- icine and surgery. Formed a business engage- ment with Dr. Robert Hunter, of New York, specialist for diseases of the lungs and throat; and since May, 1879, they have resided at St. Paul, engaged especially in the treatment of those dis- eases. Dr. Schiffmann entered the army as pri- vate in Company D, Eighth Missouri Cavalry; aft- erward became hospital steward of that regiment, and by special order of the war department, was discharged to accept the position of hospital steward in the regular army. Was on duty at Little Rock, and afterward in the field with the Third United States Cavalry, until the close of the war. In 1881, he was nomimated by both parties and elected school inspector in the second pre- cinct of the fifth ward. Isabella Johnson be- came his wife at St. Louis, July 26th, 1877. Their children are Rudolph Johnson, Frederick Clark and Minnie Beatrice.

Henry Hastings Sibley was born in Detroit, Michigan, February 20th, 1811, and came from a stock that seemed to love the hardy and adven- turous life incident to pioneer settlements. Ilence we read of his ancestors on both sides as being pioneers and always prominent, where they chose to settle. A concise history of the life of Mr. Sibley would fill a volume with his advent- ures among the Indians, in the chase and on the field of battle. At the age of seventeen he went to Sault Ste. Marie where he was employed in a store. The next year he was connected with the American Fur Company at Mackinac. In 1834 he became a member of a company consisting of Ramsey Crooks, H. L. Dousman, Joseph Rou- lette, Jr., and himself. November 7th of that year he reached Mendota, Dakota county, where he established his headquarters. The garrison at Fort Snelling and the few settlers located near for the prosecution of the fur trade, were all the population that what is now Minnesota could then boast. General Sibley has seen germinate from that small beginning, a state containing nearly eight hundred thousand inhabitants, and he among the most honored of them. all. The first two years after his arrival he lived in a log house;

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at the end of that time, in 1836, he built the first dwelling of stone in the state. It stands to-day as a monument to the early enterprise of Mr. Sibley, and is the oldest house in Minnesota. Previous to his leaving Mackinac, Governor Por- ter, of Michigan territory, appointed Mr. Sibley a justice of the peace. He was re-appointed in 1838 by Governor Chambers of Iowa, Minnesota being included in that teritory. Afterward he was appointed, by the latter official, captain of the first company of the First Iowa cavalry, and he raised and drilled a company of seventy-five men. At that time the Mississippi river was the dividing line between Iowa and Wisconsin terri- tories. Mr. Sibley was chosen as a delegate from Wisconsin, although living in the residuum of Iowa territory. After some discussion he was allowed to take his seat. He acted as such delegate one term, during which he secured the passage, March 3d, 1849, of the act organizing the terri- tory of Minnesota, and was elected a delegate the same year to represent it, and re-elected in 1851, serving in all about five years. In 1855 he represented the county of Dakota in the territorial legislature. In 1857 he was presi- dent of the democratic branch of the state con- stitutional convention. During the same year he was elected governor, but did not take his seat until May 24th, 1858, on account of the de- lay in the admssion of the territory as a state. His term of office expired January 1st, 1860 In August, 1862, occurred the outbreak of the Sioux Indians which inaugurated the great Minnesota massacre. Mr. Ramsey, who was then governor, appointed Mr. Sibley to the command of state troops. He immediately took the field, and after hard marches and severe battles, conquered the Indians and brought them to submission. President Lincoln appoint- ed him brigadier-general, and he was afterward brevetted major-general. He was placed in com- mand of the military district of Minnesota, which position he held until 1865, when he was detached as a member of a commission to negotiate treat- ies with the Sioux and other Indians on the upper Missouri river. He was again elected to the state legislature in 1870, and later served a year on the national board of Indian commissioners, which position he was obliged to resign as it required too much time away from his home and business.

Ile has been president of the State Normal School board and is now president of the Board of Re- gents of the Minnesota State University and State Historical society ; also of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Paul Gas company, and is a director of the First National bank of this city. At one time he was Park com- missioner, and was one of the directors of the St. P. and S. C. Railroad company. Upon the con- solidation of that company with others under the name of the C. St. P. M. and O. railroad, Mr. Sibley resigned his position as director. He has been a resident of St. Paul since 1862, when he moved from Mendota. On the 2d of May, 1843, he married Sarah J. Steele, who died in May, 1869, leaving four children: Augusta, Sarah, Frederick and Alfred. Owing to the change of name and boundaries, Mr. Sibley has had the rare experience of living, without changing his loca- tion, in four different territories and one state, viz: Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota territories, and the state of Minnesota. The city of Hastings and county of Sibley were named in his honor, thus linking his name with the geo- graphy as well as the history of the state.

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