SCHMIDT, ANTON

Submitted by Vicky Barclay

Anton (Tony) Schmidt was born in Bender, Bessarabia Russia Sept. 4, 1903. He immigrated to the U.S.A. with his parents settling in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1907. Then he and his parents (Nicholas and Gertrude Schmidt) brother Jake and sister Eva came to Coblenz September, 1912.

The family stayed with Uncle Jake Miller for about eight weeks and Tony went to Pascal School. They then moved to Leipzig with father Nicholas helping with harvest at several farms; also working at Scott when the water system was put in.

In the summer of 1915 Tony went to First Communion and was also confirmed at St. Paschals in Leipzig. Father Theodore Krist was parish priest.

His father Nicholas took up a homestead in 1916 about ten miles west and two miles north of Revenue. It was SW17-38-22-W3. There were many hard years ahead. His father Nicholas passed away Feb. 1929 at the age of 53. His mother Gertrude (Schwab) sister of Mrs. George Reiniger of Leipzig passed away Jan., 1967 at the age of 85.

Tony's last year of school 1919 in Grade 8 was at Deutscher School, #2948, one mile north of the homestead. He worked for many farmers, one was Ike Elliott who also gave him an old pump organ. This was his beginning to play music for many years, playing an electric organ until shortly before his passing.

On Jan. 28, 1925 Tony married Barbara Schon, daughter of Andrew and Marion (Ell) Schon of Broadacres, Saskatchewan at St. Michaels Church in Tramping Lake. They then farmed at Muddy Lake moving to Broadacres, Kerrobert and Luseland where he worked as a mechanic and also played the organ for 12 years at the Canadian Martyes Church in Luseland.

In April 1948 Tony and Barbara moved to a farm at Mirror, Alberta. Here they kept very busy; Tony doing mechanic work and Barbara with her beautiful garden and also doing a lot of quilting.

In 1972, they retired at the Town of Mirror. Here Tony had more time for his woodworking hobby, fishing and grandchildren. Tony and Barbara had special celebrations for their 40th, 50th and 50th Anniversaries. To this union were four children; Edward 1925-1930, Marion (James) MacKenzie, Hubert (Carrie) Schmidt Vicky (Ron) Barclay. They have 15 grandchildren and 21 great grand children.

Tony passed away April, 1986. He was predeceased by son Edward in 1930 and a granddaughter Heather in 1984. Barbara now lives in the Seniors Apartments at Mirror where she is still near her family. She will be 87 in Aug., 1990





Last Updated: Tuesday, February 12, 2002