Schmidt, Carl Ernest, 1856-1934.

Detroit, Michigan, German-American businessman.

From the description of Carl Ernest Schmidt scrapbooks, 1892-1935. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34423531

Carl Ernest Schmidt (1856-1934) was a successful Detroit businessman prominent in the German-American society of the turn of the century. He was the eldest son of Traugott Schmidt, who had emigrated from Thuringa, Germany, and Wilhelmina Beck, who was originally from Pennsylvania. Carl Schmidt was born in Detroit, which was his main residence throughout his life. His longest leave from his native state was during his schooling, which took him to various schools in Germany, from 1870 to 1875.

When he returned home he began learning his father's trade, tanning. The father and son became business partners in the Schmidt tannery, which became very prosperous because of its development of a process by which calf skin is tanned into white leather. In 1897 Traugott Schmidt died, leaving his son to carry on the tannery business, which was soon renamed Carl E. Schmidt and Company.

It was also in the 1890's that Carl Schmidt began to acquire his prominence in local and state politics. From 1892 to 1894 he was a member of the board of police commissioners of Detroit. In 1897 Schmidt was encouraged by some of the leading Republicans to run in the Detroit mayoral elections for 1898. He declined the opportunity. Instead, he became a member of the state Board of Arbitration and Mediation, in 1897-1898.

In 1907 Schmidt was appointed to the state Board of Forest Inquiry. This last appointment is reflective of his love and concern for Michigan's natural resources.

Besides his commitment to the reforestation of Michigan, Schmidt was also interested in outdoor recreation and farming. He built a lodge on some property that he owned in Iosco County, in northern Michigan. He named this isolated retreat "Walhalla" and it was here that Schmidt entertained many of his friends, especially other prominent German-Americans. Hunting, target-shooting, boating, horse-back riding, and hiking were the main outdoor diversions for Schmidt and his guests. The automobile and train trips to and from the retreat were considered adventures in themselves. Inside the lodge, at night or in inclement weather, the visiting party would be entertained by cards and board games. Schmidt was also a major investor in a commercial resort area in Alcona County, called Greenbush. The most advertised activity there was tobogganing.

Farming was yet another Schmidt preoccupation. Along with his Walhalla retreat Schmidt owned over 6,000 acres in Iosco and Alcona counties. A portion of this area became Schmidt's "Serradella Farms," where, from the early 1900's to the mid 1930's, Schmidt oversaw a number of agricultural experiments. He had intended to determine which crops could be successfully raised in the sandy soil that prevailed on his property. However, the breeding of Holstein cattle eventually became the main endeavor at Serradella. During the Depression operations at the farm were ended.

Schmidt was an active promoter of respect and pride in the German heritage that was shared by German-Americans. This allegiance to his ethnic background was demonstrated by Schmidt's leadership roles in the German-American community. He was involved particularly in the Steuben Society of America and the Concord Society of America.

From the guide to the Carl Ernest Schmidt papers, 1892-1935, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)