Schmidt, Heinrich D. (1861-1940)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1940 Apr 17 p. 3

Birth date: 1861 Nov 13

text of obituary:

Rev. Heinrich D. Schmidt

Heinrich D. Schmidt was born in Alexanderwohl, South Russia, on November 13, 1861. His parents were David and Maria Schmidt, nee Nachtigal. In 1867 his parents moved to the village Waldheim, also in South Russia. Here he went to school six years, receiving good Christian training, two years under Bernhard Harder, who wrote many beautiful hymns; two years under Heinrich Wedel, and two years under John W. Fast.

In 1874 he came with his parents to America, and they settled in Marion county, Kansas, about 18 miles northeast of Newton, where he learned to know the meaning of pioneer life.

He gave his heart to his Lord and Master, and after receiving instruction he was baptized by the Rev. Jacob Buller, elder of the Alexanderwohl church, and became a member of that church in 1881.

On February 7, 1882, he was married to Margaretha Baerkmann, daughter of Heinrich and Justina Baerkmann, the Rev. Heinrich Goertz performing the ceremony.

After making their home on a rented farm in Kansas for sixteen years, they and their four children and one foster son, came to Oklahoma and made their home on a homestead about three miles northeast of Cordell, in September, 1898. Here he had another taste of the hardships of pioneering. But he said that when he let his thoughts wander back to those days, he must say with David, "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." Psalm 126, 3.

He and his wife decided to make room in their home for another child, and adopted a little girl to be their daughter.

They joined the Sichar church and in 1900 he was chosen as minister but did not feel that he could accept the call. Then in 1904 he received a call from the Salem congregation. He accepted, and was ordained as minster of the Gospel by Rev. M. M. Klassen in October of 1904. Here he served as minister for five years, then later, when the Salem congregation disbanded, he and his wife became members of the Herald church.

In 1911 he received a call from the Sichar congregation, which he accepted, and here he served and toiled for his Master for 17 year, until he handed in his resignation in 1929.

Realizing that farm life was becoming too strenuous for them, he and his wife left the old homestewad in 1929l, and made their home in Cordell on North Church street, where soon they felt at home and were content. He enjoyed going to the various churches in Cordell and attending their services, and as he aid, he received many a blessing there.

In the month of August, 1939, he became ill, and after taking some treatments his condition improved somewhat, but was told his only hope for complete recovery lay in an operation. Since this operation was a serious one he decided against it, mainly because of physical weakness and his old age. He began failing again during the winter months, and the last two weeks brought great suffering to him. His release came on March 13, at 11:10 p.m., and he was permitted to go to his Master whom he had served faithfully for many long years.

He reached the age of 78 years and four months.

He leaved to mourn him his wife, three sons: Henry, of Cordell; Peter, Walton, Kansas; David, Cordell; one daughter, Margaret (Mrs. John Schierer), Cordell; a foster son, Henry S. Ratzlaff, Cordell, one son-in-law, four daughters-in-law, fourteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one brother, B. D. Schmidt of Cordell, and many other relatives and friends.

His adopted daughter, Marie (Mrs. Frank Kliewer) passed away in 1927.

We mourn, but not as though we had no hope of meeting him again because we know he has gone to be with his Lord and Master in Glory.

So the blessed Savior
Took him by the hand
Led him gently homeward
To the Promised Land.

— The bereaved wife and children.