SCHMIDT, RUDOLPH and MARY

Rudolph Schmidt and Mary (Schlegal) Schmidt were married in Austria in 1900.

Rudolph was born January 21st, 1882 and Mary October 1882. They immigrated to Fingal, North Dakota, USA. Two children were born in North Dakota-Carl in November 1901 and Mary in Bebruary 1903.

They moved to the Pascal area with two other families Melchoir Scherman and his wife Rose and Frank Wurzer in April 1905. On May 12th, the first mass was said in St. Joseph's Colony by Father Schweers. Rudolp Schmidt and Melchoir Scherman were mass servers.

Rudolph had a homestead, NW-22-38-20-W3rd, and built their first sod house. Two more children were born, Rose in January 1906 and was the first baby baptized in St. Joseph's Colony. Louis was born in 1907. Unable to find water on this homestead they moved to the Handel area with their cattle and horses.

In 1909 they homesteaded on SE-9-36--19-W3rd, east of Handel. In 1911 Gamble School opened and Mary, Rose and Carl attended school. Twin boys were born, Rudolph Jr. and Joseph on January 6th, 1912. A few years later they moved northwest of Handel and the children attended Handel School.

In 1920 they moved back to the Pascal area on SE-12-38--20 W3rd. Louis, Rudy and Joe attended Pascal School. Carl and Mary remained in the Handel area. On July 18, 1920 they had the misfortune of losing their oldest son in a drowning accident at Sunny Lake at the age of 18 years.

Rudolph retired and moved to Leipzig in 1946, later to Wilkie and resided there until his death in 1973 at the age of 91 years. His wife Mary passed away in 1936 at the age of 54.

Rudolph and Joseph were twin sons of Rudolph and Mary Schmidt. They started school in Handel and attended school in Pascal when they moved to this area.

Joe spent some time in northern Saskatchewan. He stayed with his uncle at Big River. He moved back home and worked as a farm labourer in Handel, Leipzig and Wilkie areas. Joe passed away suddenly at the age of 62 in 1974.

Rudolph worked as a farm labourer in his home area for his friends and neighbors. He also did some road work. He retired in Wilkie until his death in 1984 at the age of 72 years.

Mary, daughter of Rudolph and Mary Schmidt, resided in Leipzig area for some years. She moved to Wilkie and worked for Ellis and Slotzer's Stores, as a seamstress. She did sewing for many of her friends. In 1948 Mary moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. She married Joseph Janz in 1948. She kept busy taking care of her house and garden. Mary and Joe had one son Gregory. They celbrated their 25th wedding anniversary in May 1973. Mary passed away at the age of 70 years in September 1973.





Last Updated: Tuesday, February 12, 2002