GEORGE J. SCHMITT, a retired business man living on Sixth street, Beardstown, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 14, 1828. His parents were Casper and Mary Schmitt, who were born, reared, married and died in their native country. They were members of the Catholic Church and died in middle age.

Our subject was yet a young man when, in 1854, he came to this country and spent one year in New York City, working at his trade of cabinetmaker. After that he journey around to many places, seeing the country, before he settled in Beardstown. He reached here in 1861, established a furniture business with his brother, Casper Schmitt, and by good judgment and honest dealing made money and retired from labor in 1882. He was married to Miss Mary Stoner, who was born in Beardstown, November 3, 1837. When she was six weeks old the family moved to Texas, settling in Montgomery county upon a farm and there her father died a few years later. His parents had both come from Germany and settled in Cass county, and were among the oldest settlers in the county. Mrs. Stoner is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Schmitt. Although nearly eighty-two years of age she is very bright and active. Her father was Fred Krohe, who came to Illinois very early and died here. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt have two living children, George J., Jr., now in charge of a drug store, No. 34 Washington street, Chicago; and Victor, who is connected with the same house.