JACOB SCHMITT DIES; 45 YEARS IN BUSINESS

ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED BUSINESSMEN IN THE COUNTY -
BORN IN GERMANY, HE HAS BEEN AN INTENSELY LOYAL AMERICAN.

Jacob Schmitt, one of the oldest and best liked Mt. Vernon businessmen, died at the family residence, 407 South Seventh Street this morning at 9:00 o'clock.

Mr. Schmitt had the record of being fourty-five years continuously in business in Mt. Vernon, when he sold the building on the east side of the square two years ago to David Miller, and retired from the barber business, his son, W.A. Schmitt, then moving the business to its present location.

Forty Seven years ago he moved here from Centralia and went into business and a few years later, bought property on the east side of the square on which was an old frame building and he erected a new building in its place, where he remained ever since on the public square, and "on the square" with his dealings with his fellow man, for he was respected by all who knew him. Although born in Germany, Mr. Schmitt was intensley loyal to his adopted country, and loved it as if he were native born.

He had two brothers in the Civil War, Philip Schmitt, who died at Centralia of cholera a year after the war and Frank Schmitt, six years his senior, who lives in this city. Another brother, William, aged 80 years, still lives in Germany.

Jacob Schmitt was born in Heppenheim, Germany, Aug. 28, 1846 and was therefore 71 years and six months old.

He came to America when 21 years old, two of his brothers having preceeded him. He came first to New York, later to Cincinnati, then to Centralia, in 1868, taking out his naturalization papers at once. The next year he married Miss Sarah Tinsley of Centralia, who has been his loving companion through the years. She has been very ill for the last three weeks.

Two of their children, W.A. Schmitt, and Mrs. F.E. Johnston, reside in this city. Two others died in infancy. There are three grand children, Arthur Schmitt, who is in school at the University of Illinois, Bert, who is in high school here, and Harry Long, of Chilicothe, Ohio.

Mr. Schmitt was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church. The funeral will probably be held Saturday, announcement of which will be made tomorrow. He was a member of the Iuka Tribe, Independent Order of the Red Men. Mr. Schmitt always took an interest in civic affairs and represented the third ward as alderman for two terms. In politics he was an ardent Republican.

Source: Mt Vernon Register News
Date: February 28, 1918
Submitted by: John Carlson
Relationship: 2nd great grandson