April 1858-September 17, 1931
FRED C. SCHMIDT, 73, PIONEER MERCHANT, IS TAKEN BY DEATH
Passes Away After Operation on Limb about a Week Ago
Passes Away After Operation on Limb about a Week Ago
Death removed a pioneer resident and business man of Niles today when Fred C. Schmidt, 73, died at 11:30 at Pawating hospital where on last Sunday he had an operation for the amputation of his right leg at the knee. Complications arising from an injury sustained nearly 25 years ago started an infection in his leg and the operation was resorted to in an effort to arrest the infection. However, Mr. Schmidt's condition had been considered critical since the operation, and on account of his weakened condition he was never advised of the nature of the [illegible].
Fred C. Schmidt was born in Germany on April 1858, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Schmidt. When he was but three years of age his parents left Germany and came to America, locating in Niles, his father becoming a pioneer butcher and retail meat dealer. His sons, Charles and Fred, were associated with him in the meat business as they grew to young manhood and eventually Fred C. Schmidt launched into business for himself, engaging in the retail meat business and later being associated with his son, Karl R. Schmidt in the wholesale meat business under the name of the Schmidt Packing House company, and was so engaged until his last illness.
Fred C. Schmidt's marriage to Carrie Ives, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Ives, the former a pioneer photographer, united two of Niles oldest families. Mrs. Schmidt died in 1925.
Surviving Mr. Schmidt are two sons and four daughters who are Dr. Harry Schmidt, Mrs. Bion East and Mrs. Donald Noble of Detroit, Karl R. Schmidt, Mrs. George I. Vetter, and Mrs. Jack Young of Niles. The following brothers and sisters also survive: Will Schmidt, Portland, Ore., Herman Schmidt of New York City, Mrs. Rudolph Elbel of South Bend and Mrs. Warren Griffith of Los Angeles, Calif.
Mr. Schmidt was active in city affairs, having served as an alderman, and a member of the board of education, and also was the choice of his party at one election for the office of mayor.
Mr. Schmitdt found a great delight in fishing and for many years had a cottage at Birch Lake where he and his friends gathered frequently throughout the fishing seasons.
Fraternally he was identified with Niles Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar.
It is planned to hold the funeral services in the home at Broadway and Third streets on Saturday afternoon. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silverbrook cemetery. The services will be under Masonic auspices.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 17, 1931, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)