Carl Schmidt (politician)

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Carl Heinrich (Henry) Schmidt (September 30, 1835 – January 7, 1888) was a German American immigrant, newspaper publisher, and Democratic politician in Wisconsin.

Born in Luebbecke, Westphalia, Prussia, he learned printing there and moved to the United States in 1854 with his family. After a brief stay in Milwaukee, he settled in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He started and ran Der Nord-Westen, a German-language newspaper, from 1855 to 1860, and later returned to publishing after serving in the Civil War.

Schmidt served in the Union Army with the 9th Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War, rising from second lieutenant to captain and acting quartermaster in 1864. He led a supply train during the Red River campaign and left the army in December 1864.

Back in Manitowoc, he returned to publishing and became active in local government. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly for the Manitowoc 3rd district in 1870. In 1871 he won a seat in the Wisconsin Senate (the 19th district, later renamed the 15th district) and served until 1875. He also held local offices, including alderman, county supervisor, and justice of the peace, and was elected Manitowoc County judge in 1885, serving until his death in 1888.

Schmidt was married and had five children: Emil, C. Otto, Carl, Arthur, and Walter. His younger brother, Carl Gottlieb Schmidt, later took over publication of Der Nord-Westen. Carl Schmidt died in Manitowoc on January 7, 1888, at age 52, from dropsy (edema).