Jean Baptiste Schmitt
- Born: 24 Jun 1798, Schoenau, Alsace, Bas-Rhin, France 48
- Marriage (1): Marie Anne Steibli on 14 May 1821 in Artolsheim, Alsace, Bas-Rhin, France 30
- Died: 1 Oct 1882, St. Wendell, IN at age 84 49
 General Notes:
Excerpt from Artolsheim Catholic Parrish History Book.
According to the parish death register, in 1751 there was a certain Nicolas STEIBLI as Schoolmaster. That year, he signed as witness a death certificate at ARTOLSHEIM. Who was he? Born in 1689, son of Jean STEIBLI and Anne born SCHWARTZ, he was originally from SOULTZ, in the upper Rhine. In 1751 he married Marie KLINTZ from HESSENHEIM. His son Francois-Joseph, who was born in 1758, became Schoolmaster from 1804 to 1821. He made the acquaintance of Madeleine BRANDHUEBER, the daughter of the Schoolmaster of HESSENHEIM with whom he married in 1781. This was the godmother then at the benediction of a bell. From others we know that it was Nicolas STEIBLE who had erected a cross at the entrance north of the village: the inscription attests to it. He died in 1821, at the age of 63 years, leaving his succession to his son-in-law Jean-Baptiste SCHMITT, native of SCHOENAU and who had married his daughter Anne. At first very conscientious, working beyond his teaching duties, the post of Mayors secretary and his power as select vestry, he fell victim to drinking. His moral decadence also drug him down into debt. Ruined, he was forced to resign and his estate, about 8 hectares, was sold at auction: at the age of 70 years, he went to America with all his family, tempted by the prospect of regaining his fortune in the "New World."
Noted events in his life were:
1. Immigration, 17 Dec 1858, New Orleans, La. 5 JB, Marie, Benjamine, Albert and Eugene arrived on the Bethiah Thayer from Harve France.
2. Occupation: Schoolmaster, Mayor Secretary and select vestry of Artolsheim, 1821, Artolsheim, Alsace, Bas-Rhin, France.
Jean married Marie Anne Steibli, daughter of Francois Joseph Steibli and Maria Magdeleina Brandhueber, on 14 May 1821 in Artolsheim, Alsace, Bas-Rhin, France.30 (Marie Anne Steibli was born on 8 Nov 1798 in Artolsheim, Alsace, Bas-Rhin, France,50 died on 26 Nov 1877 in Evansville, IN and was buried in Nov 1877 in St. Wendel Catholic Cemetary, Posey County, IN.)
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