Sutter-Yuba County Biographies

ERICH SCHMIDT

Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

            It speaks well for California, that in her appreciation of the 
pioneer builders of the Golden State, she does not intend to forget such sturdy 
settlers of those early, formative days, as Erich Schmidt, of 602 Sutter Street, 
Yuba City, one of the highly esteemed residents of Sutter County, and an 
invaluable American citizen as well.  He was born in Saxony, Germany, on April 
12, 1846, a son of Julius and Annie (Schweikert) Schmidt.  Julius Schmidt was a 
lawyer, and had three children at the time of the revolution of 1848.  Being a 
progressive man, he had taken an active part in the revolution, and after its 
sudden close he was obliged to come to America or serve a term of imprisonment.  
On arriving in New York City he sent for his wife and three children; and soon 
after their arrival, in the fall of 1849, he migrated westward to Missouri and 
took up a farm in Franklin County, sixty miles north of St. Louis.  On the 
breaking out of the Civil War he volunteered his services, serving under General 
Ziegel till the close of the war, when he returned to his farm.  He died soon 
afterwards from exposure during the war.  His widow survived him many years, 
passing away on the old farm at the age of ninety-one years.
            As stated above, Erich Schmidt was brought to America, when three 
years of age, by his mother, who settled at New York City, and thence he came 
with his parents to Franklin County, Mo.  He attended the local schools until he 
was sixteen years of age, and then apprenticed himself to a blacksmith in St. 
Louis and learned the blacksmith trade, and also that of the boiler-maker.  At 
the close of the Civil War, in 1865, he came further west to Colorado, and was 
associated with Buffalo Bill as a cowboy, while he assisted the emigrants as 
they crossed the plains.  On a recent trip to Colorado, he visited the monument 
on Lookout Mountain erected to Buffalo Bill, an experience that vividly recalled 
the �old days.�
            In 1873, Erich Schmidt reached Marysville on an emigrant train, and 
went to work in the old Empire Foundry, which was run by Williamson & Corey.  At 
the end of eight years, he formed a partnership with Hugh McGuire, and together 
they conducted the Etna Steam Boiler Works, on E Street.  After a year in San 
Jose, he returned to Marysville and ran a shop of his own at O�Banion Corners, 
in Sutter County; but selling out, he located at Yuba City and established here 
the Schmidt Pump Works, representing the Samson Iron Works of Stockton and 
selling their engines and pumps, and became famous for the installation of 
irrigation and domestic pumping plants all over Sutter, Yuba, and Butte 
Counties.  Mr. Schmidt has put out a number of devices or appliances, 
appreciated everywhere they have been introduced.  He built up a fine business, 
though starting in a small way; and in spite of handicaps, he has made a success 
of his every venture.  After a long, and busy, and very fruitful career, he has 
been able to retire, and his son is at present carrying on the business.
            On the 3rd of July, 1876, Erich Schmidt was married to Miss 
Josephine Smith, a native of New York State, who came to California with her 
parents via the Isthmus of Panama in 1855.  Her father, Peter Smith, was a 
pattern-maker and one of the pioneers of Marysville, where Mrs. Schmidt was 
reared and educated.  Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt became the parents of four children:  
Lottie, who became Mrs. Redmond, and is now deceased; Daisy, now Mrs. Proper; 
Josephine, Mrs. Anderson; and Arthur E. � all of Sutter County.  Mr. Schmidt 
joined the Odd Fellows fifty-two years ago, becoming a member of Schiller Lodge, 
No. 89, of St. Louis.  He was a charter member and one of the organizers of 
Union Lodge, No. 1, I.O.O.F., in Denver, Colo., and is now a member of Oriental 
Lodge, No. 45, of Yuba City.  He is also a Mason, a member of Enterprise Lodge, 
No. 40, of Yuba City; he has been a Mason for thirty-seven years.

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 470