Schmidt, Heinrich D. (1861-1940)

Revision as of 09:11, 20 August 2013

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1940 Apr 17 p. 3

Birth date: 1861 Nov 13

text of obituary:

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.