Person:Karl Schmidt (1)

Karl Schmidt/Charles Smith was the son of Peter Schmidt and Anna Margaretha Heyl.

He appears in the St. Peter's German Evangelical Church Records of 1848-1968, married to Margaretha [BETZ], with a son, Wilhelm Carl, born 18 Sept 1852, with Philipp and Johanna [SCHLOTZER] Betz as Godparents to his son Wilhelm Carl. In addition, he and his wife, Margaretha, also show up as godparents of Carl Schmidt, born 1857 to Leonhard and Elisabeth [BETZ] Schmidt. And he's buried in the same family plot with his wife, Margaretha BETZ, and with Phillip and Johanna (Hannah) [SCHLOTZER] Betz, at Forest Lawn.

There is a Charles Schmidt, molder, living at 589 Adams, in the 1872 Buffalo City directory. This is the same neighborhood where Elisabeth Betz Schmidt and Leonhard Schmidt live. [Not likely our man; see below.]

1875 NY State Census: 5th ward, 3rd district, p. 26, line 43: Charles Smith, 48, b. Germany, married; Laborer NYCRR, naturalized Margareth, 44, wife, b. Germany

1880 U.S. Census: 42 Clinton Street, Buffalo, Erie Co., NY; ED 129, p. 21 Smith, Chas., 52, works at car shop, self and parents b. Germany Smith, Margaret, 48, wife, keeping house, self and parents b. Germany

Winter 2001: Researched his civil war records-- specifically, when he died, his wife, Margaret, claimed pension but was denied; military didn't believe his death was related to his time in the war. Over the next many years, a series of depositions took place to appeal this decision. Those records are at NARA. I reviewed the originals and took notes (no photocopies made). Highlights include:

1888 Deposition by Philip Betz of 149 Hickory: "I knew Chas. Smith from a boy (age 18)... he lived upstairs at my house [Margaret lived there, too, during the C.W.]. His wife is my sister. [I.e., Margaret Betz Schmidt is the sister of Philip Betz.] They moved to Eagle Drive after his discharge. After the war, he held flag at Elmslie Drive. [I.e., he was a flagman for the railroad; this leads me to believe that the Charles Schmidt, molder at 589 Adams in 1872 is NOT our man.]

1888 Deposition by Christian Smith of 387 Swan, age 65 (in 1888), supervisor of the 3rd ward. Brother of Charles Smith. Charles later worked at Central Car Shops. [Later found baptism records of both his brother and himself, with the same parents.]

1888 Deposition by John A. Barth: Charles did not drink to excess. He did not have the appearance of a reckless man.

Forest Lawn Cemetery Record: Name: Charles Smith Place of Birth: Germany Place of death: Buffalo, NY Date of death: Feb 17 1886 Marital Status: Married Late residence: 23 Watson Street, Buffalo, NY Age: 58 years Cause of death: consumption Undertaker: Atkins Parents: not stated

1. ↑ St. Peter's German Evangelical Church, Buffalo, NY Church Records, 1848-1968
   Item 1 1848-1854 Baptisms.
2. ↑ Forest Lawn Cemetery Records.
3. ↑ Forest Lawn Cemetery Headstone Reading.

   Date of Death: Feb 17, 1886
   Age: 58 years

4. ↑ 1870 U.S. Census - NY
   5th ward, M593, roll 933, pg. 624A.

   5th ward, age 45, laborer, from Hessen.

5. ↑ St. John's Evangelical & Lutheran Church, Buffalo, NY. St. John's Evangelical & Lutheran Church, Buffalo, NY Church Records 1829-1868. (Mormon Church)
   Baptisms.

   A Karl Schmidt, born 22 Jan 1828, son of Peter Schmidt and Anna Margarethe Hayl. Witnesses: Gottlieb Dietz, Martin Broder; also with a brother, Christian, born 2 April 1826.

6. ↑ Forest Lawn Cemetery Headstone Reading.
7. ↑ Forest Lawn Cemetery Records.
8. ↑ Civil War Pension Records.

   File at NARA contains a real copy of the death certificate.

9. ↑ Forest Lawn Interment Record.
10. ↑ Forest Lawn Cemetery Headstone Reading.
11. ↑ Civil War Pension Records
    1888 Deposition by Philipp Betz.

    "They moved to Eagle Drive after his discharge."

12. ↑ Civil War Pension Records.

    1889 deposition by Jacob St rohm, 59, neighbor: "Between 1867-1869 inclusive, Smith lived in my house."

13. ↑ Civil War Pension Records.

    1886 deposition of Philip Betz.

14. ↑ 1870 U.S. Census - NY.

    (Per Julie Shields.)

15. ↑ 1870 U.S. Census - NY.

    (per Julie Shields)

16. ↑ 1880 U.S. Census - NY
    ED 129, p. 21.
17. ↑ Forest Lawn Cemetery Records.

    Last residence.