SCHMIDT, JOHANNES. - Perhaps no country of the world has contributed so many sturdy, industrious and capable men and women to the United States as Germany, for there the people are taught to work and they do well whatever lies closest at hand. As a result whenever they immigrate, they bring with them a knowledge of whatever line in which they have been trained, as well as habits of thrift that stand them in good stead in their new home.

The late Johannes Schmidt, formerly one of the prosperous farmers of Cass County, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, June 16, 1854, came to the United States when he had attained his majority, and made his way to Cass County, Ill. A few months later he went to Bloomington, Ill., where he was a truck farmer and also conducted a greenhouse, but later, on returning to Cass County he bought sixty acres of land and conducted it until his death. While living upon this farm he improved it considerably, erecting all the buildings and putting in excellent stock.

On February 26, 1885, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Mary Geiss, who was born in Cass County, a daughter of John and Matilda (Apple) Geiss, of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt became the parents of the following children: Rosa, who is Mrs. Fred Pate of Cass County; Matilda, who is Mrs. Louis Deichman of Virginia; and Henry F. and Otto, who conduct the home place for their widowed mother. The family belong to the Presbyterian church. Mr. Schmidt died July 27, 1911, after a long and useful life, and the influence of his upright character had its effect upon his neighborhood.