Joseph Schmitt

JOSEPH A. SCHMITH, one of the leading young merchants of Indiana, was born in Madison, Ind., December 1 6, 1853. His parents were Anthony and Rebecca (Sterling) Schmith. The father was born in Alsace in 1825, and died in November, 1867. The mother was also born in Alsace, in 1824, and is a resident of Franklin. The parents were married in Madison, Ind., in November, 1851. In August, 1865, the parents removed to Franklin. To them were born the following children: Joseph A., our subject; John H., born July 3, 1856; Frank A., October 6, 1858, and died May 27, 1860; Philip, March 31, 1861, and died November 30, 1877; Benedict, October 19, 1862; Mary L., June 17, 1867. Our subject was reared in Franklin, and attended the public schools of the place. He began clerking as soon as he left school, and continued at such until 1881, when he engaged in the grocery business for himself, being given the assistance of W. C. Wheat, who furnished the capital. He now owns the business in full, and has built up one of the leading grocery trades in Franklin.

He might be the Joseph A. Schmith in 1880 Johnson County, Indiana, a clerk in a store, 24, born in Indiana, both parents born in France.  He's with mother Rebecca, 55, widowed, and Benadic 17 and Louesa 1.

One tree said Joseph was born Dec 16, 1853 in Indiana to Anthony Schmith 1820-Oct 5, 1867 and Rebecca Steirlin 1824-Nov 10, 1909.

and died April 2, 1931 in Michigan City Laporte County.

1885

Marion County Indiana marriage records.

Bowles, Vashti, F, W, 24, Oct, 7, 1893, John C, Elizabeth, Oldecker- Marion, 4, 211
Bowles, Vashti-Joseph A, Schmith, Oct, 17, 1893, -Marion, 25, 354

Joseph timber-claimed a quarter in 17, 7N 48W in 1895.

Jo. A. Schmith and Vasliti Bowles had a son Oct 22, 1895 in Johnson County, Indiana.

Snow day! Three boys atop a pile of snow in front of L.H. Dunlap store in downtown Franklin at 64 E. Jefferson St. in this circa-1906 photo. The image also shows the storefronts of Wallace Carpets, left, and Joseph Schmith Grocery. Thanks to Johnson County Museum of History, Indiana for sharing "Look Back" photos with us.

In 1910 Johnson County, Indiana, J.A. Schmith is 39, born in Indiana, father born in France, mother Germany, married 16 years to Vashti, 37.  They have Magdalene 15 and Philip 14, both born in Indiana.

Joseph is the county clerk of Johnson County 1907-1911

Joseph 1853-1931 and Vashti, 1870-1911,are buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Franklin, Indiana.113069214

Magdalene Schmith, born Sep 6, 1895 ?(this is per ship records) in Franklin, Indiana went to France in 1926.

MAGDALINE SCHMITH WEDS J.L. SPANG
Miss Magdaline Schmith, former well known Franklin young woman and J. L. Spang, of Boston, Mass., were married at a nuptial High Mass at St. Johns church, Indianapolis, Wednesday morning, June 20, at 8:30 o?clock. The ceremony was read by Monsignor F. L. Gavisk, pastor of the church. The couple were unattended and the marriage was witnessed by only the immediate families.
Following the marriage Mr. and Mrs. Spang left for Boston where they will visit Mr. Spang?s parents until the first of next week, when they will sail for Genoa, Italy, where they will make their future home. Mr. Spang holds a responsible position with Swift & Company, of Chicago and has been stationed in Italy for several years. He and Miss Schmith met while going to Europe on the same boat three years ago.
Mrs. Spang is a graduate of Franklin college and has been a teacher in the Michigan City schools for the past few years.

Her father. .Joseph A. Schmith, is postmaster of the state prison at Michigan City.

Franklin Franklin Democrat
Friday, June 22, 1928
Page 1 Column 2

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Former Resident Dies in Maryland
Services Held Monday For Mrs. Louis Spang

Word has been received of the death of Mrs. Louis Spang on June 27 in Salisbury Md. Mrs. Spang was Miss Magdalene Schmith, a former resident of Franklin. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Schmith of Franklin and a sister of Philip A. Schmith of Tipton.
Mrs. Spang was stricken with a critical illness a few weeks ago and death followed. Funeral services were held Monday at 9 a.m. in a Salisbury Catholic church. The body was taken to Boston, Mass., for burial.
Born and reared in Franklin, Mrs. Spang graduated from the local high school and from Franklin College with the class of 1917. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She was married in the St. John Catholic church in Indianapolis about 20 years ago. With Mr. Spang, a representative of the Standard Oil company, she went to Rome, Italy, to live. The couple returned to the States after a few years.
Surviving are the husband, and an only daughter, Barbara, of Salisbury and the brother. Philip A. Schmith of Tipton. Mr. and Mrs. Schmith and son, Joe, attended the funeral and burial services.

Franklin Evening Star
Wednesday, July 2, 1947
Page 8 Column 3

Philip Arthur Schmith registered in Franklin, born Oct 27, 1895, a student at Franklin College, and claimed exemption as a potential food producer.

He 1895-1984 and Esther E. 1896-1982 are buried in Saint John's, Tipton, Indiana 23059428