Our 1848 German immigrants' Story

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The story of our line of Schmids in America begins in 1848, when three young Schmid siblings, Joseph (1830-1923), Benedikt (1833-1905), and Maria (1828-1911,) emigrated from Winzeln, Württemberg, Germany. 

Their father, Thomas SCHMID, had died in 1836 when Joseph, Benedikt, and Maria were 6, 3, and 8 years old respectively. In 1837, their widowed mother, Maria SCHMID, married Ignaz Mogenhan. Maria & Ignaz came to America around 1860.   

We are researching their other siblings who emigrated from Germany, however, we do not know where they settled in America.   Since none of them are mentioned in Benedict's Daily Diaries, we assume that they were not in the area.   According to German church records, their half-sister, Zäzilia MOGENHAN, appears to have immigrated to "Amerika" in 1850.  Believed to have settled in New Jersey. Stay tuned! 

It is believed that Joseph sailed for New York from Port of Havre, France or Bremen, Germany on The Tarquin, in June 1848 - we are still researching this.  It is possible that he came over in 1847.

This booklet describes the arrival of, and how life was for the early Settlers from Germany and Switzerland in the 1850s, including Schmid, Schmieg, Leuthard, Pfeiffer; and from Holland and Belgium in the 1860s.    The History of St. Victoria Parish   

Joseph's older sister, Maria, (who later married John PFEIFFER) also came to America, and ultimately found her way to Minnesota. We are researching the details of Maria's immigration.  Joseph's younger brother, Benedikt, age 15, and older sister, Maria Agatha, age 22, followed Joseph to America in 1848. (currently being researched).  We do not know where Maria Agatha settled in America. 

According to church records, their other siblings immigrated to "Amerika" but we have not yet researched them.  We do not believe that they came to Minnesota. 

1851 Maria, later Mary, married John PFEIFFER (1818-1889)

1856 Joseph married Elizabeth SCHWEIKERT (1829-1900)  

1859 Benedikt, later Benedict, married Rosina AUER (1839-1912)

Read more on the Germany, Joseph,   Mary, and   Benedict pages on this web site.

NOTE:  if you enjoy reading, we highly recommend that you read these two sets of Diaries

1)  The Diaries of Benedict Schmid.  1857 up to May 10, 1905, 4 days before his death. 

Transcribed from German to English.  he writes of his life before, during, and after his service in the Civil War. Benedict  gives us a real feel for what pioneer farming life was like for all of these immigrants.  He mentions his sister Mary, her husband John Pfeiffer, his brother Joseph Schmid, Sr, their Mother and Step-Father, his son-in-law John Leuthard, and several other names that we know.  And, you will also note that our Benedict had a sense of humor. 

2)   The Diaries of Ezra Fitch Pabody, neighbor of Joseph Schmid, Jr and wife Anna.  Ezra began writing in 1882 at the age of 14, and continued up until 1890.  He had lovely handwriting, and was quite articulate for a young teenager.  He frequently visted Joseph Schmid Jr and wife Anna.   He sometimes referred to them as "Smiths".  He refers to Joseph Schmid, Sr as the old man.

BOTH of these sets of Diaries are GOO, FUN  READS!

CLICK HERE to VIEW   Documents, Plats, Maps, Charts, Benedict's Diaries, 1882-1890 Ezra Fitch Pabody Diaries, Oral Histories, and more on Google Drive