Otto Schmidt, a resident farmer of Forestville township, living on section 2, was born at Piercetown, Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, June 22, 1880, his parents being Fred and Theresa (Seifert) Schmidt, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father left that country when a youth of sixteen years in company with his parents, who crossed the Atlantic and then proceded westward until they reached Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where a farm was purchased upon which the grandparents of Otto Schmidt spent their remaining days. Fred Schmidt took up the occupation of carpentering in Sheboygan but afterward removed to Piercetown, Kewaunee county, where he purchased a farm and erected thereon a large residence. The place was afterward sold to the county for a poor farm. He later bought another tract of land in the same township and thereon remained until his death, his widow still occupying the old home place in Piercetown township.

It was upon the farm home that Otto Schmidt was reared with the usual experiences, opportunities and training of the farm bred boy. For eight years he worked upon the farm and on the expiration of that period came to Forestville township, Door county, where he invested in eighty acres of land on section 2 which is now his home. He has steadily improved his place through intervening years and it is equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. There is an excellent fruit orchard and good buildings, while the latest improved machinery facilitates the work of the fields.

In 1907 Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Busch, a daughter of Julius and Amelia (Denson) Busch, who were natives of Germany, while Mrs. Schmidt was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have been born five children, namely: Elder, Elvin, Luella, Ruth and Gilbert. A lifelong resident of this state, Otto Schmidt has always been identified with its farming interests and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. He has ever concentrated his energies along a given line and success in substantial measure is now his.

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