The Schmitt Family
Family Ties Are Best
The quartet's parents, Henry and Anna Schmitt, were both first-generation Americans whose parents immigrated from Germany.
Together, they raised 17 children:
(back row) Sylvester, Henry Jr., Agnes, Ray, Louise, Bernard, Aloysius, (middle row) Francis, Leo, John, Kathryn, Mary, Joseph, (front row) Paul, James, and twin girls Jean and Jane.
The Home
Married in 1904, Henry and Anna made their home at the corner of 18th and Monroe Streets in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. In 1915, the original home was moved, and Henry built a new 2-1/2 story home in its place. The family moved in just a few weeks after their son Francis was born.
They were a "doing" family. Everyone had a job, from pairing shoes in the front hall to cleaning vegetables. The living room often hosted concerts with the children singing or playing piano, violin, saxophone, clarinet or trombone.
St. Luke's Church
With so many children, the household would have been entirely chaotic if not for the rhythm of Catholic life. The day began with Mass. Henry insisted that prayer before meals be unhurried and end, “Praise be to Jesus Christ, now and forever, Amen.” Anna hosted weekly rosaries for the neighborhood.
Just a short walk from home, St. Luke’s church was the center of their community. Henry and Anna were married there. All of their children were baptized and attended grade school there. The boys sang in the choir there. And three of their sons became priests and celebrated their first Masses there.
The Lumber Company
After his father died in 1906, Henry assumed his role as foreman at the Two Rivers Manufacturing Company. Four years later, Dr. Albert Farrell invited Henry to go into business with him. The pair established the Schmitt Lumber Company. By 1918, more yards were established in Manitowoc and Algoma. Henry's brothers Charles, John Frank, and Ed helped manage the growing businesses. Located near the river on 19th and Madison Streets, the yard in Two Rivers employed many of Henry's children and grandchildren.
The Schmitt Golf Club
Established in 1932, the Schmitt Golf Club featured six holes nestled among the pines on the north edge of town. The entrance was near the corner of 34th Street and Mishicot Road. By 1938, the Schmitt Lumber Company partnered with Nic Taddy to build a model home just north of the golf course. Eventually, over 100 homes were built in the subdivision known as Edgewood to house the rapidly growing city. It's no surprise that many of Schmitt children and grandchildren lived in the neighborhood.
The Brothers
The 11 Schmitt brothers held annual retreats to ensure family ties remained strong, even after their father died in 1939. All ran local businesses. Sylvester was a reknown archetict. Henry, Leo and John were ordained priests. Ray operated the Schmitt Lumber Company. Bernard and Al sold wholesale lumber. Fran operated up to five City Dairy stores, the Copper Kettle Restaurant and Two Rivers Realty. Paul was a New York Life Insurance representative. Jim and Joe owned J&J Schmitt Lumber in Manitowoc. Joe was later president of the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, they were actively involved in civic, church and government organizations, often holding leadership positions.
The Sisters
The Schmitt sisters were also very accomplished. Agnes ran a milk delivery business with her husband, and when he died, operated two grocery stores while raising five children. Once they were grown, she went back to school to earn a teaching degree. Louise earned her master's degree in nursing from Columbia University and her doctorate from Stanford, served as a captain in the nursing corps in World War II, and became a professor of nursing at numerous universities, including Marquette University. Kathryn was also a nurse and mother of seven. Mary was a secretary, religion teacher and mother of 13. Jean and Jane raised seven and two children, respectively.
