Mathias P. Schmitz
As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.
Mathias P. Schmitz is closely associated with the commercial interests of Kenosha as a dealer in clothing and men's furnishing goods. He was born June 1, 1858 in the city, his parents being John and Katharine (Schaller) Schmitz, both of whom were natives of Prussia, Germany, but came to the New World in early life, the father arriving in Kenosha in 1850 and the mother the following year. They were here married, and Mr. Schmitz, who had previously learned the business of merchant tailoring, followed his trade in this city. He continued as an active factor in business circles here to the time of his death; which occurred May 28, 1906, while his widow survived until the 5th of January 1914. They were consistent members of St. George's Catholic church.
Mathias P. Schmitz attended the public schools of Kenosha to the age of thirteen years, and in 1871 began clerking in a men's furnishing goods store, thus taking his initial step in the business world. He was afterward employed in the Simmons general store, and subsequently was with the firm of Doan & Brown. In 1890, in connection with Nicholas J. Lauer, he purchased the clothing business of his employers, and opened a store at No. 265 Main street, where he has since been located. They carry a large line of men's clothing and furnishing goods. In fact they have everything that the market affords, and their attractive stock, reasonable prices, and earnest efforts to please their patrons, have brought them a very gratifying and liberal trade.
In 1890 Mr. Schmitz was married to Miss Frances K. Huck of Kenosha, a daughter of Mathias and Mary A. Huck, the former a shoe merchant and one of the pioneer residents of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz have two children: Arthur J., now a traveling salesman; and Earl M., who is with the Jeffery Manufacturing Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz and their sons attend St. George's Catholic church, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. In politics he is non-partisan, casting his ballot according to the dictates of his judgment in relation to the exigencies of the situation. He stands, however, for progressiveness in citizenship and cooperates in many plans and movements for the benefit and upbuilding of his native city, where he has also worked his way upward in business circles until he now occupies an enviable and creditable position.
Typed by: Michelle Laycock
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