From Germany to Buffalo & Cincinnati: Albert, Betz, Glunz, Jauch, Schmidt, Sess

Tracking down Leonhard SCHMIDT of Buffalo, NY

While we have reached back into the German roots of many of our Buffalo ancestors, my cousin and I are stuck, Stuck, STUCK on Leonhard SCHMIDT (1818-1872). We only know that he was born in "Baden" -- either the city (now Baden-Baden) or, more likely, the region. I'm coming to believe that "BADEN" is as difficult to research as "SCHMIDT." To make matters worse, there was another Leonhard Schmidt, a contemporary of our Leonhard, also living in Buffalo during this same time period. We don't have a photo of Leonhard, but we do have one of his son (right).

Philipp L. Schmidt, son of Leonhard Schmidt

We also know this:

• 21 November 1848: Leonhard SCHMIDT married Elisabetha BETZ at the St. Paul/St. Marks German United Evangelical Church. Witnesses (this needs double-checking) were: Philipp Schmidt, Johann Keasel, Heinrich Betz (Elisabetha's father or brother), and [Regi?]nnus Hadar.
  • I'd like to think that PHILIPP SCHMIDT is Leonhard's father or brother. Some relation seems additionally implied from the fact that in the 1840s (get exact date), a Philipp Schmidt deeds land to Heinrich Betz, Leonhard's father-in-law. A Leonhard Schmidt (probably our man) deeds land to the same Betz in the same time period (check date).

• 1850: Leonhard SCHMIDT lived in Black Rock (census); occupation: mason
• 1851: Leonhard names his first son Philipp-- possibly after his father or brother? (But the godparent is Philipp Diener, brother-in-law of his wife.)
• 1857: A Carl SCHMIDT (see below) appears as godparent to his son.
• 1858: A Maria SCHMIDT appears as godparent to his daughter. Is this Maria a sister or sister-in-law?
• 1860: Leonhard SCHMIDT lived in the 6th ward of Buffalo (census); occupation: laborer
• 1870: Leonhard SCHMIDT lived in 6th ward of Buffalo (census); occupation: stonemason
• 1868-1872 (when he died): lived at 566 Adams, which he owned. (His widow lived there until her death in 1891.)

Another SCHMIDT that enters into this same familial picture was CARL SCHMIDT (1828-1886). He marries Leonhard's sister-in-law, Margaretha BETZ, and is godparent to Leonhard's son Carl in 1858. Subsequent research into his line surfaced yet another SCHMIDT-- Christian, confirmed brother of Carl. This information was found in depositions written when Carl's widow was trying to extend his civil war pension.

I think my best bets for research at this time are to check out deeds in the 1840s, and try to track down the Philip SCHMIDT that might be related to our Leonhard. Any other suggestions for me? (Email address has been modified to diminish spam.)

Leonhard's children were:

• Catharina Schmidt (1849-~1920) m. Frank Schueler. Several children.
• Philipp Leonhard Schmidt (1851-1898) m. Elizabeth Fassnacht. Several children who populated Buffalo. I am descended from this line. All his sons changed their last name to SMITH in the years following their father's death.
• Philippine Schmidt (1853-1855)
• Heinrich Schmidt (1855-1897). Died single. Lived with his mother, Elisabetha Betz Schmidt at 566 Adams.
• Carl Schmidt (1857-1858)
• Maria Schmidt (1858-1885). Died single. Lived with her mother at 566 Adams.

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Jillaine Smith
Last updated: 23 September 2003
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