FARM LIFE KEEPS PAIR "TOO BUSY TO QUARREL"
from Los Angeles Times 12/18/1932

AURORA, (IL) Dec. 17 (Exclusive)-Mr. and Mrs. John Schmidt of Hinckley, IL, who have not had a quarrel in sixty-three years of married life, "because we have been too occupied with problems of the farm," will observe their anniversary tomorrow with a family reception. The couple was married at Hinckley, December 18, 1869, and each is 83 years of age.

They farmed continuously for sixty years, then retired and moved into the village.

"When you work hard and your mind is on your job, no matter what it is, you haven't got time for quarrels," Mrs. Schmidt said. With the couple at their anniversary celebration will be seven children.


JOHN SCHMIDT DIES LAST THURSDAY

HAD BEEN ILL SEVERAL MONTHS

Funeral Services Held Sunday Afternoon for Mr. Schmidt, Age 88, prominent Hinckley Resident

John Schmidt, age 88, one of Hinckley's oldest and most highly respected citizens, passed away at his home here Thursday evening, at 10:15 o'clock, having been confined to his bed for several months.

John Schmidt, son of Christian Schmidt and his wife Katrina nee Fink, was born on December 13, 1849, in Renrod, Hessen, Germany. Here he received his early education, and in 1863 he united with the Lutheran Church by the rite of confirmation.

Four years later he came to America and lived for two years in New York. Since 1869, he has been a resident of Illinois.

On December 18, 1870, he was united in marriage to Augusta Hartman. To this union nine children were born, two of whom preceded the father in death, a son John, and a daughter, Nora Martin. Mrs. Schmidt departed this life on January 22, 1935, at the age of 85 years. Since then, a daughter, Mrs. Lena Schultz, has made her home with her father.

After a lingering illness of several months, Mr. Schmidt passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, April 28, 1938, at the age of 88 years, 4 months and 15 days.

 

The family lived on a farm near the Immanuel Lutheran church until the spring of 1911, when Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt retired from active farming and moved into Hinckley. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in December 1934, the month preceding Mrs. Schmidt's death.

Mourning his departure are three sons, Roy of Hinckley, Ernest of Leland, Idaho, and Otto of Shabbona; four daughters, Mrs. Lena Schultz and Mrs. William Taggert of Hinckley, Mrs. Tom Hunt of Aurora, and Mrs. William Buck of Alton, Illinois; nineteen grandchildren, and twenty great grandchildren; besides many other relatives and a host of friends.

Mr. Schmidt was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran church, from which church the funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, May 1st, at 2: o'clock, the Rev. Walter Burmeister conducting the service. Mrs. Evelyn McKirgan sang "Abide With Me" and "One Sweetly Solemn Thought", with Mr. H. Ellerman at the organ.