Back in 1968, a Schmidt went to Seward. That was me. I was not born and raised in Perry County, but my father was. I went to Seward for training to become a Lutheran teacher. Today, you will be told the story of another Schmidt who went to Seward. He was born and raised in Perry County, but he did not go to Seward to become a teacher.

Joseph Adolph Schmidt was born on March 24, 1885, so today would be his 140th birthday. Before I move on, let me say that I have already written posts about 3 different men who were named Joseph Schmidt. This story will be the 4th. This Joseph Schmidt was the son of Henry and Sophia (Ross) Schmidt. He was baptized at Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna. An image of his baptism record from that congregation’s books is shown here.

Because of the year of his birth and the fact that we cannot view the 1890 census, Joseph was already confirmed at Concordia, Frohna prior to us being able to see him in the 1900 census. By then, Joseph was 15 years old and helping on his father’s farm in the Brazeau Township.

At some point during the next decade, Joseph left Perry County and never came back to live here. He spent the rest of his life in the state of Nebraska. During those times, quite a few Perry County natives moved to Nebraska to find work. Several previous posts on this blog have detailed the stories of young men who spent some time working in Cuming County, Nebraska. In the 1910 census, that is where we find Joseph working as a farm hand. He was living in the Adolph Schock household, which was located in the Blaine Township. That township was near the town of Wisner, Nebraska.

Now, let’s take a look at the woman who would become Joseph’s bride during the next decade. Her name was Bertha Johanna Hennings, who was born on April 27, 1887. Bertha was the daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Wiemer) Hennings. She was born in York County, Nebraska. When the 1900 census was taken, we find the Hennings family living in the Beaver Township in that county. Bertha was 13 years old, and her father was a farmer. It was a very large Hennings family. There were 12 children listed in this household.

In a 1911 plat map for the Beaver Township, we see the Hennings farm. This township was right next to Seward County, which was east of York County.

I think the church shown on the above map just north of the Hennings land was St. John’s Lutheran Church, which is given a Waco, Nebraska address. Below is a photo of what that church looks like today. That congregation had been established in 1872. I found one grave site on Findagrave.com with the surname, Hennings, buried in that church’s cemetery.

Next, we find Bertha in the 1910 census living in Jefferson County, Nebraska with 2 brothers, one older and one younger. Her older brother was a farmer. Bertha was called a housekeeper and cook. Jefferson County is located in northern Nebraska, not very close to York County.

Here is where I have unanswered questions. The main question is, “How did Joseph become acquainted with Bertha?” I have a possible answer, but it certainly is not a sure thing. I think Joseph moved to the western part of Seward County not long after the 1910 census was taken. Perhaps he began to attend St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waco. Maybe Bertha either moved back to live with her parents or she came to visit them on occasion. That presents the opportunity for Joseph to meet Bertha at worship and church activities at St. John’s.

Joseph Schmidt married Bertha Hennings on April 5, 1915. As you can see on this Nebraska marriage record, this couple was married in Waco, Nebraska.

In 1918, Joseph had his World War I draft registration completed. It gives him a Beaver Crossing address.

The map below shows the location of Beaver Crossing, which is found in Seward County, and it is very close to St. John’s Lutheran Church, which is in York County.

It appears that Joseph and Bertha had 6 children. In the 1920 census, there were 2 sons in their household. Joseph was a farmer in Precinct L in Seward County, Nebraska.

A map of the precincts in Seward County is displayed below. Precinct L is found between Beaver Crossing and Utica.

A later plat map made in 1962 shows the Joseph Schmidt property which was located in the northeast part of Precinct L.

In the 1930 census, there were 6 children and a hired man in the Schmidt household. Joseph’s two oldest sons were helping him on his farm.

Next, we find the Schmidt’s in the 1940 census. Joseph and Bertha were each in their 50’s. Three children were still living with their parents.

Joseph had a World War II draft card completed in 1942. He is given a Utica address this time.

In the final census entry we can view, the 1950 census, we find Joseph and Bertha with an empty nest and living in the city of Seward. Joseph is not given an occupation.

Bertha Schmidt died in 1959 at the age of 72; Joseph Schmidt died in 1980 at the age of 95. These two are buried together in the Utica Cemetery in Utica, Nebraska.

Now you know that Joseph Schmidt, a Perry County native, went to Seward, not the city but the county, found his wife there, and remained in that location for the rest of his life. I, on the other hand, went to Seward, the city, to attend Concordia Teacher’s College and only resided there for my 4 years of college. I will add that my grandmother’s married name was Bertha Schmidt. Until I researched this story, I was unaware that there was a Bertha Schmidt who once lived in Seward and is buried in that county.