Source - St. Mary's, Burlington, WI, Vol 1 - Baptism Records; 1846-1873; Image 566/852

William Lueck - line 3

Casper Plate - line 14

Hienrich Schemmer - line 18

Source - Year: 1860; Census Place: Burlington, Racine, Wisconsin; Roll: M653_1427; Page: 621; Image: 236.

Source - Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002

Cramer, John (line 9)

Schemmer, Henry (line 36)

Source - Year: 1880; Census Place: District 2, Lawrence, Tennessee; Roll: T9_1267; Family History Film: 1255267; Page: 320.1000; Enumeration District: 173

This is a copy of the ballot for city officers for Rock Valley in 1894. Henry Schemmer ran on the Democratic ticket and won by a margin of 144-90. It was his first of several terms in that office.

Schemmer, Henry (line 22)

Source - Year: 1900; Census Place: Rock, Sioux, Iowa; Roll: T623 459; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 142.

Schemmer, Ben (line 8)

Schemmer, Henry (line 21)

Schemmer, Albert (line 24)

Source - Year: 1910; Census Place: Rock, Sioux, Iowa; Roll: T624_423; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 155; Image: 1255

Henry Schemmer of Rock Valley, Iowa, and Mrs. Katherine Foppe, of the same place, were united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic church Tuesday morning, Rev. George Schemmer, of Shawano, a nephew of the groom, performing the ceremony. They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Wm. F. Gill and after the ceremony wedding festivities were enjoyed at the home of the groom's brother, F. Schemmer, on Geneva street. The worthy couple are both past sixty years of age and are among the best known and respected residents of Rock Valley.

Source - Racine Journal-News - Apr 28, 1916 [Burlington Section]

Schemmer, Henry (line 8)

Source - Year: 1920; Census Place: Glendale, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T625_102; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 27; Image: 971.

Source - California Voter Registrations, 1900-1968, Los Angeles County, 1920, Roll 09

Albert Schemmer - line 15

Source - Year: 1930; Census Place: Rock Valley, Sioux, Iowa; Roll: 683; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 27; Image: 281.0.

The sudden and tragic death of Henry Schemmer last Friday evening was a great shock to his many friends in this community, as well as in other places where he was known. Mr. Schemmer had been in his shop that evening until shortly before nine o'clock and then left for his home at A. F. Schemmers. Finding no one at home there, he started out again, presumably to call at the home of Mrs. Dischler. He was crossing the street near the B. J. Schemmer home when the accident occurred. There were two cars coming from opposite directions, one coming from the north and the other from the south. The car coming from the north was driven by Gerrit Vugteveen, who was so blinded by the bright lights from the other car that he could not see Mr. Schemmer until he was right upon him. A part of the hinge of the car door struck Mr. Schemmer on the head, killing him almost instantly. No blame for the accident is attached to Mr. Vugteveen. It was clearly unavoidable. The identity of the driver of the other car is not known. He did not stop and probably did not know that an accident had occurred.

Mr. Schemmer was taken to the home of his son, B.J. Schemmer, near where the accident occurred, and a doctor was summoned, but he had passed away when the doctor arrived.

Mr. Schemmer was one of the pioneer residents of Rock Valley. He came here more than fifty years ago and followed the trade of blacksmith and wood worker, and conducted a machine shop here for a number of years.

Mr. Schemmer took active part in the affairs of the community. He held office of mayor of Rock Valley for four terms, his first term starting in 1894. He also held other offices of trust in the community.

Mr. Schemmer was a man who was highly esteemed and admired by all who knew him, a man of unassuming manners and a kind and genial disposition.

In his later years Mr. Schemmer conducted a work shop above the Schemmer hardware store, more for personal pleasure than for profit. He spent his time in this shop making ornaments and curios of various kinds, and he loved to have his friends call on him there, and he took keen delight in showing them the different articles he had made.

Mr, Schemmer did not have a known enemy in the world. Such a man as he, could only be loved and admired.

Mr, Schemmer was born February 13, 1854 at Burlington, Wisconsin, where he grew to young manhood. At the age of seventeen years, he went to Loretta, Tennessee. His mother died when he was nine years old. He remained at Loretta about nine years. He was married there on January 26, 1875, to Catherine Kramer. Five years later he moved back to Burlington, Wisconsin, and after a years residence there, he came with his family to Rock Valley in 1881, where they resided until 1912 and then Mr. and Mrs. Schemmer moved to California, where Mr. Schemmer lived until about three years ago, and then returned to Rock Valley where he spent the remainder of his life. Mrs. Schemmer died July 12, 1914.

Mr. Schemmer is survived by three sons, Albert and Ben of Rock Valley, John of Chicago and two daughters Mrs. Emma Dischler, Taft, California, and Mrs. Rose McGarth of Los Angeles, California. One daughter Mrs. Catherine Streit died in 1920 and one son, Frank, died about thirty years ago.

Funeral services were held from St. Mary's church in Rock Valley at nine o'clock Monday morning. The services were largely attended by sympathizing friends. Among the relatives from a distance who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schemmer, Bonesteal, South Dakota; Mr. and Mrs Elmer Ernest. O'Neal, Neb; Mrs. Leo Nolan and son, Jackie, Minneapolis; P.D. Kelly, Mankato, Minn.; Jos. Sandschulte and daughter, Leona, of Bancroft, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Keeso, Pipestone, Minn.; E.H. Richter, Madison, South Dakota.; George Fahey and grand-daughter, Betty of Iowa City.

Source - Rock Valley Bee - Oct 21, 1932

Henry Schemmer was born in February of 1856 in Wisconsin. His family moved to Loretta, Tennessee. He married Catherine Kramer there and they had two sons, Albert and John.

In 1881 the family moved to Rock Valley, where he opened a blacksmith and wagon shop where the post office now stands. It faced south where the parking lot is.

After they came to Rock Valley, other children were born to them, Bernard, Kate, Emma, Rose, and Frank.

Mr. Schemmer was active in public affairs; he was on the school board of the public school and was mayor for four terms. During his terms in office, the first street lights were installed in town. They were gas lights. His son Albert was the first lamplighter in town. He was one of the original members of St. Mary's Parish.

The Schemmer residence was at 1610 Main Street, where the parking lot of the Netherlands Reformed Church is. The house at 1616 Main was built by Henry's son, Bernard. It is now Agape Home for Hope Haven.

Bernard stayed in the blacksmith shop with his father and operated it until he died. He married Mayme Fahey and to this union, one son, Bernard, was born. After Mr. Schemmer died his wife and son moved to California.

John was a druggist in Rock Valley. He married Kate Aurit and moved to Chicago.

Emma married Charles Dischler and six children were born to this union. Eventually, they moved to California.

Kate married Michael Streit and moved to South Dakota. Six children were born to them. When the last child was born, Kate died and a little later, the baby died. They are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Rose married Thomas McGarth and they moved to California. Rose is still living.

Henry's wife, Catherine, died in California and was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Mr. Schemmer returned to Rock Valley in 1930 and lived with his son Albert. He opened a woodworking shop over the hardware store. He made small cedar chests, doll beds, baby cribs and many small items. He made the crucifix from a cactus root and orange wood that is in the church basement. Jerome Haas made the shrine for it.

He belonged to the Third Order of Saint Francis. He went to daily Mass and often served the priest until he died in 1932.

Source - Taken from "St. Mary's Church 1822 - 1982" Rock Valley, Iowa page 154