Pvt. Joseph Schmitz (Smith)

Pvt. Joseph Schmitz (Smith)

A Co. 141st Ill. Vol. Inf.

100 Days Regiment

   Mustered In June 16, 1864 at Camp Kane in Elgin, Ill's.
   Home of record listed as Plato, Ill's.

   Notice: July 6, 1864 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   FROM THE 141ST.-We learn that the 141st, our pet regiment of "hundreddazers,' has gone into camp at Columbus, Ky., but how long they will remain there is with us a mere matter of conjecture.  On their way down to Cairo, over the Illinois Central railroad, the heat was so oppressive that several of the boys fainted away.  There have been two deaths in the regiment since they left Elgin, one, TIMOTHY HAYES, a private in Capt. Herrington's company, drowned while bathing in the Mississippi river, and the other, a Swede whose name we did not learn of Capt. Beech's company of the tremens.  We hope to hear often from our 141st.

   Notice: Aug. 24, 1864 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   FROM THE 141ST,-We learn that our regiment of "hundreddazers," the 141st, are likely to smell gunpowder and see a speck of war.  Gen Paine has been getting up an expedition to clear out Johnsons rebel raiders who lately invaded Illinois and took several steamers loaded with cattle, and the 141st were counted in, and left Columbus on Tuesday last to join Gen. Paine at Paducah.  Large numbers of cattle and supplies have been retaken from the rebels by this expedition, and also many horses and mules of resident rebels.  Late news reports that Gen. Paine has returned to Paducah.

   Mustered Out Oct. 10, 1864.

Post war;
   Died March 19, 1905.

   Obit: march 20, 1905 issue Elgin Daily Courier.
   Joseph Schmitz died at his home at North Plato Sunday, at 12:30 o'clock, aged 69 years, 1 month and 24 days.  Death was due to a complication of kidney and liver troubles.
   Mr. Schmitz was born in Neef, Germany, Jan. 23d, 1836.  He came to America in 1857, residing for two or three years in Chicago.  In 1861 he enlisted in company A of the 141st regiment, Illinois Volunteers, serving the full time and receiving an honorable discharge in 1865.
   At the close of the war Mr. Schmitz located on a farm at plato Center.  The next year he married miss Elizabeth Riebel.  Of this union six children were born, four daughters and two sons.  One son died in infancy.  Those who survive are: mrs. A.G. Schrein, Elgin: mrs A.G. leiseberg, Dundee: Mrs. G.C. Fisher, pingree Grove: Mrs A. G. Miller and John J. Schmitz, plato Center.  Eleven grandchildren also survive him.  A sister resides in Brazil, and a brother in Germany.
   Mr. Schmitz's record in live was above reproach.  He was a loving husband, a good neighbor and a patriotic citizen.  He was thoughtful and considerate of others at all times, and his christian principles shown forth plainly during his last illness, as he was cheerful, and continually looked upon the bright side of life.
  The funeral will be held Wednesday at 1 o'clodk from the late home, and at 1:30 from the church at North Plato.

   Buried at Plato Center Cemetery.

Family lore lists him as a cook in the civil war.
        If he did serve for four years he must have enlisted in another regiment other than the 141st Ill.