Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 784.
 
WILLIAM J. SCHMIDT

     one of the leading stockmen of Crook county, resides eight miles east of
Howard. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1850, the son of Peter Schmidt, a native
of Germany. He was raised and educated in his native place and in 1871 went to
Pittsburg and served his time at the machinist's trade. Then he followed
steamboating on the Mississippi river, returning occasionally to his old home in
Pennsylvania until 1878, when he journeyed west to San Francisco. For five years
he was engaged there in the Union Iron Works, then traveled about some until
October, 1885, when he located his present place. He took a homestead and
resided there a short time, then being dissatisfied he left the country and was
occupied for wages in various portions of the west. In 1892 he returned to his
present location and took up stock raising. He started in a very modest way,
having one horse and two cows, but Mr. Schmidt was not a man to either to
despise the day of small things nor become discouraged at the paucity of his
holdings. He carefully took up the good work of stock raising with the intention
to succeed and with such wisdom and industry did he prosecute the calling that
he has won splendid success. He now owns three hundred and fifty head of cattle,
forty head of horses and a ranch consisting of sixteen hundred acres of good
land.  Mr. Schmidt is achieving success in which he may well take pride and
which has stimulated many others to good efforts in this country.
     In 1900 Mr. Schmidt married Sarah Lowrey, who was born in the east. They
have four children, Ira, Alice, Mary and Glennie.
     Mr. Schmidt is a member of the Masonic order and is a man of good standing
and rated as one of the substantial property owners of the county.


*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.