The Schmitz Building

(Click above photo to enlarge.  See close-up below.)

The Schmitz building, built in 1881 on the east side of
Main Street in Odebolt, is still standing in 2004.
Photo courtesy of Harv Keller.

ODEBOLT OBSERVER, VOL. 1, NO. 45 May 11, 1881 - L. Schmitz, the enterprising furniture dealer, will commence the erection of a new brick building on Main street, as soon as the present building on the lot can be moved out of the way. The new building will be 25x70 feet on the ground and two storys high. Mr. S. expects to have it completed and ready for occupancy by August 1st.

ODEBOLT OBSERVER, Volume 1, No. 46, May 18, 1881 - Stone[s] are being delivered on the ground for the basement of Mr. Wright's new block on Second street, also for the new building of L. Schmitz on Main street.

ODEBOLT OBSERVER, Vol. 2, No. 3, July 20, 1881 - We were probably a little premature in saying that brick-laying would commence on L. Schmitz' building this week. The work has been delayed by the non-arrival of the plan in the hands of the architect at Carroll; but no extended delay is anticipated from this cause and the work will be pushed forward as fast as possible.

ODEBOLT OBSERVER, Vol. 2. No. 8. August 31, 1881 - Brick-laying has commenced on the Wright block on Second street, and Mr. Schmitz's building on Main street, and the work is now going bravely forward.

1884-1885 ODEBOLT BUSINESS DIRECTORY listing: "Schmitz Bros. (John N. and Leonard), saloon and undertakers

Other sources lists Leonard Schmitz as operating a saloon with his brother, John from 1881-1886.

Leonard Schmitz

Leonard Schmitz, during his lifetime a prominent land-owner of Pierce county, Nebraska, was a native of Prussia, and was born December 15, 1847, a son of Nicholas Schmitz, who came to America in 1860. He first settled in Dubuque county, Iowa, where he was a prosperous farmer. Here Leonard grew to manhood, and was married at Sherrill's Mound, that county, January 19, 1875, to Miss Louisa Link. Mrs. Schmitz was a native of the village of Balltown, Dubuque county, Iowa, born June 16, 1855, a daughter of Andrew and Regina (Laite) Link, natives of Wittenberg and Baden, Germany, respectively.

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz lived in Dubuque county about eighteen months, moving to Sac county, Iowa, in October, 1876. Here Mr. Schmitz opened a furniture store at the new town of Odebolt, and continued in business there nine or ten years.  (About 1886 he moved to Nebraska. Text copied from http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/OLLibrary/Comp_NE/cmp0787.htm)

John Schmitz

John Schmitz, born 1843 in Germany, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Schmitz, who came to America in 1860 and settled in Dubuque County, Iowa.  John enlisted in the Union Army in 1862 and served in the Civil War for three years.  He was engaged in the great Battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville and many others while in the Union Service.  After the war he returned to his education and taught school in Dubuque for twelve years.  In 1882, he came to Sac County and went into the retail merchandise business with his brother, Leonard Schmitz, in Odebolt.  Later he was in the Insurance and Loan business and then opened the German Bank in Odebolt in 1901.

See complete John Schmitz biography and photo. (scroll down the page)

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A blow-up of the men standing in front of the Schmitz store.

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