My Genealogy Hound

JOHN SCHMID, retired, post office McKee’s Rocks, son of George and Barbara Schmid, was born in Germany in 1828; came to this country in 1851, locating in Allegheny, but in 1852 moved to Kenton, Ohio, and in 1854 returned to Allegheny. He was twice married; first, in Germany, in 1850, to Mary Fetzer, and their children were Margaret and Mary; this wife died in 1854, and in 1855 Mr. Schmid married Mary Brown, of Allegheny City, and by this marriage there have been born thirteen children: William G., John George, Annie (deceased), Paulina (wife of James Calp), John, Albert, Mary Henry, Katie, Charlie (deceased), Daniel, Edward (deceased) and Carrie (deceased). Mr. Schmid came to this country with a little fortune of twenty-four hundred dollars but the years 1853 and 1854 were times of trial and financial loss, on account of sickness in his family and the death of his wife, his removal to Ohio and his subsequent return to Allegheny. On his marriage with his second wife he started without a dollar, but by the most rigid economy soon secured a home, paying the first ten dollars he could possibly spare on a lot, on which he soon erected a house. One of his friends owning a lot adjoining proposed to trade a part of his for a part of Mr. Schmid’s. The latter, seeing it would give a better place to erect another building, was willing to trade, but his friend also wanted some money, which Mr. Schmid did not have. After some parley he traded, giving a loaf of bread to boot. Mr. Schmid is now the owner of one hundred acres of valuable land in Stowe township and eight acres at McKee’s Rocks, for which he paid twelve thousand dollars; is selling some off in building-lots. On this property he has a very fine stone-quarry. He also owns a business-house on Chartiers avenue, Stowe township, and seven dwelling-houses in Chartiers township.