Adam Schmitt, of the clothing firm of Schmitt & Eickoff, of Peru,
Illinois, was born in that city, March 13, 1862, and is a son of Joseph and
Apallonia (Jacobs) Schmitt, natives of Germany, where the grandparents of
our subject died. Joseph Schmitt came to this country with his family in 186
, and at first worked at whatever came to hand, and at length located in
Peru and accepted position as a clerk in a grocery store, remaining with the
firm for seventeen years. This line of business appealing strongly to him,
he opened a store of his own on Fourth street, which he still conducts, most
successfully. In religion he is a Catholic, as is his wife.
Adam
Schmitt is, essentially, a product of Peru, having lived all his life here
and received his education in her public and parochial schools. He was
enterprising and ambitious as a youth, and at the age of fifteen he entered
commercial life by securing a clerkship in a dry-goods store. This was
afterward changed for a situation in a clothing store, where his engaging
manner and polite attention assured his success. In 1887 he opened a
clothing business, and has had the satisfaction of seeing it prosper year by
year under his skillful management, until to-day its prosperity and
stability is second to none. In October, 1899, E. G. Eickoff bought an
interest in the store and the style of the firm became Schmitt & Eickoff. He
is a fine example of what can be accomplished by industry and perseverance,
honesty and integrity. He was married October 28, 1890, to Miss Josephine
Hebel, daughter of Andrew and Caroline (Repp) Hebel. In anticipation of this
event he had built a snug home on the corner of Fifth and Pike streets, to
which he took his bride and where they still make their residence. Their
family circle has been increased by the birth of two children, Joseph and
Apallonia. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church,
and he also is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's
Benevolent Society. He is independent in politics, preferring to give his
vote to the best man.
Extracted 22 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 525-526.
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