JACOB F. SCHMIDT. This name will be recognized by man of our readers as that of the efficient public servant who now holds the position of Assessor of Salisbury Township. He is a native of the land that has sent so many sturdy, industrious men to swell the number of those who find a competence here, and prove trustworthy citizens of their adopted land, teaching us to honor the German character and welcome gladly all her sons who desire to enjoy our institutions and aid in our development.

Grandfather Schmidt was a soldier in the army of Napoleon Bonaparte, and was killed in Moscow, Russia. His son Jacob F., the father of our subject, was born in Theningen, in the Duchy of Baden, in 1800, and being a poor boy, worked as a shepherd until he was eighteen years old. He then began farm work, and after his marriage continued to operate land. He died in 1864, leaving three children - Caroline, Jacob F. and Christian. The daughter now lives in Germany; the second son was in the German army as a cavalryman six years and fought in the Franco-Prussian War. The mother was Catharine (Steinecker) Schmidt, who was born in 1807, in the same town as her husband. She died in 1876, at the age of sixty-nine years. The faith of the progenitors of our subject was that of the Lutheran Church.

The natal day of our subject was August 5, 1843, and his birthplace the town of Theningen, Baden, Germany, four miles from the far-famed river Rhine. In accordance with the laws of the Empire he attended school between the ages of six and fourteen years, but after he was ten years old he spent the intervals of school life in making his own way, having left the parental roof. For three years he worked on a farm and in a mill, for his board and clothes, then spent two years in learning the trade of a rope maker, after which he labored as a journeyman in his native duchy. In March, 1863, in order to escape military service, for which all German youths are liable, he went to Alsace, then a part of France, and worked at his trade there until 1866.

The flattering accounts he had heard of the prospects afforded to honest industry in America, led the young man to decide to try his fortunes here, and in March, 1866, he took passage from Havre on the steamer "Scotland". Twenty-three days later he landed in New York among strangers, but with money enough to continue his journey inland. He traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured employment in a brickyard until spring, when he began working in an hotel. Ere long he hired out as a boat hand, and on reaching New Orleans remained there some time, learning the business of soap-making, and working at it until the summer of 1868.

Accompanied by the bride of a few months, mr. Schmidt then came to this county, and buying a little tract of ten acres in Salisbury Township, entered upon the farm life in which he has won a good support and an honorable name. He soon added to his landed estate, and as he prospered made other additions until he had sixty-one acres, all of which he has placed under thorough cultivation and excellent improvement. It is well fenced and supplied with all necessary buildings, making it a home of comfort, and the point from which Mr. Schmidt reaches out in the conduct of a good business. He rents adjoining land, operating three hundred acres altogether, most of which he devotes to corn. He raises large numbers of swine and other stock, and keeps three or four teams constantly employed in carrying on his work. His land is made more valuable by its proximity to Salisbury and Springfield, it being a mile from the former and eleven miles from the latter. For twelve years after becoming the owner of the first acreage, Mr. Schmidt worked by the month for others, adding to his income and the means by which he secured additional land. In 1886 he opened a soap factory in Pleasant Plains, but his partner ran away with the profits a year later.

In New Orleans, La., March 7, 1868, the solemn ceremony was performed that united the lives and fortunes of Mr. Schmidt and Miss Rosina Fuch. This lade was born in Theningen, Germany, and belongs to a good family of the Duchy of Baden. She came to America in 1865 and has capably discharged the diverse duties that have devolved upon her as a wife, mother, and member of society, gaining goodwill and esteem on all sides. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt included eight children, named respectively: Minnie Fuch, Christian, William W., Louisa R., Christine M. F., Louis, Caroline M. and Appolina B. The eldest daughter is now the wife of Fred. Brandt, a farmer in Gardner Township; the others are still with their parents.

Among the inhabitants of Salisbury township, none exceed Mr. Schmidt in prominence and personal enterprise. He is above the average in intelligence and the fund of valuable information he possesses, and is especially well versed in mathematics. He has acquired a good command of the English language in conversation, and while in New Orleans learned considerable French; add to this his thorough knowledge of his mother tongue, and he is well equipped for presenting matters to the citizens of the township. For four successive years he was retained in the position of Township Collector, and was then elected Township Assessor, an office in which he is now serving. He votes the Democratic ticket, and belongs to Equity Lodge, F.M.B.A., in Salisbury, and is an active member of the Lutheran Church in Springfield.