San Francisco County
Biographies
JOHN A. SCHMIDT
JOHN A. SCHMIDT, a California Pioneer was born in Germany,
July 31, 1824. He was educated in his native land, and immigrated to Charleston,
South Carolina, in 1845; for three and a half years he
was employed as a clerk in that city, and in April, 1849, he made a journey to California,
coming by way of Cape Horn; he arrived November 5, 1849.
For three months he devoted himself to the musical profession, and afterwards
he under took any duty that presented himself as it was the fashion in those
days to engage in any honest labor. In 1850 he embarked in the mercantile
business, but the fabulous stories of gold-mining so excited his imagination
that he turned his attention to that industry. Only to be
disappointed in the results. He next engaged as a clerk, and received
$150 per month as a salary. The next enterprise of his own in which he became
interested was the fruit business, and the fire of May, 1851, swept away his
little accumulations. He had just recovered from this disaster and was nicely
started again when the fire of June, 1851 came and burned him out the second
time. In partnership with two other gentlemen he leased the ground and erected
three stores which a third fire destroyed; he was, however not
damaged in this conflagration. He afterwards removed to 134
Clay Street and remained there until 1858. During
the Fraser river excitement he went to Ft. Hope
and opened a store there, but in a year everyone came away, so he returned to San
Francisco and engaged in the real estate business
which he has pursued successfully since that time. In 1859 he went to Europe on
a visit, and returned to San Francisco
the following year. He is now the owner of several valuable pieces of city
property, and has been an ardent supporter of home interests.
Mr.
Schmidt was married in 1860 to Miss Elizabeth Weyman,
a native of his own country. They have had born to them ten children, six of
whom are still living, all residents and natives of this city and well settled
in business. In his political opinions Mr. Schmidt affiliates with the
Republican Party. He is a member of the Pioneer Society, and belongs to several
German societies. He was one of the organizers of the Home Loan Society. He is
highly respected by a wide circle of acquaintances, and regarded as one of the
most worthy citizens of San Francisco.
Transcribed by Kim Buck.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Page 534, Lewis
Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2006 Kim Buck.
California
Biography Project
San
Francisco County
California
Statewide
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