Obituaries from Butler County, Ohio
Part 17

Julius A. SCHMITT Obituary
John Edward SCHMITT Obituary
Henry SCHMITT Obituary
Elsie E. (HUMBACH) SCHMITT Obituary
Carl E. SCHMITT Obituary
Bena C. (HAMMEL) SCHMITT Obituary
Anna Margaret SCHMITT Obituary
Ann Magdalena SCHMITT Obituary
Sam A. ROBERTS Obituary
Howard ROBERTS Obituary
Daniel BEAVER (BIEBER) Biographical Sketch
Mrs. Julia A. BEAVER Obituary
Augustus A. ASHWORTH Obituary
Robert Augustus ASHWORTH Obituary

Julius A. Schmitt Obituary, Hamilton Journal News, Tuesday, July 5, 1949, p.20
Submitted by Theodore R. Schmitt

 Julius A. Schmitt, age 66, 915 Park avenue, died Sunday morning in Mercy hospital.  Mr. Schmitt suffered a heart attack while attending the
morning worship service in the Immanuel Lutheran church.

 Mr. Schmitt was born in Hamilton, July 12, 1882, the son of Charles and Margaret Gruelich Schmitt, and lived in this city his entire life.  He
married Katherine Hauschild in Cleveland, February 14, 1906 and she died January 9, 1939.

 For many years, Mr. Schmitt was associated in the West Side Motor company with his brothers, Charles and John Schmitt, both of whom
preceded him in death.  During World War II, Mr. Schmitt was employed at Armco but had been retired the last several years.

 A faithful member and active worker in the Immanuel Lutheran church, Mr. Schmitt was interested in all of its organizations and zealous in
the promotion of the work of the congregation.  For many years he was the church organist and for 25 years was the Sunday school
superintendent.  He devoted much of his time to church work and activities.

 Mr. Schmitt leaves four daughters, Mrs. Paul Ziegler, Hamilton, Mrs. William Bailey, Somerville, Mrs. Harlan Hensley, Middletown and Miss
Margaret Schmitt, Hamilton; four sons, Julius Schmitt, Jr., Winfield, Kansas, Harold and Melvin Schmitt, Los Angles, California, Donald Schmitt,
Hamilton; a brother, Fred Schmitt, Vandalia, Ohio; eight grandchildren;  other relatives and a wide circle of friends.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Elmer A. Proeschel funeral home, 547 Main street.  Rev. Norman
Schumm, pastor of the Immanuel Lutheran church, will officiate.  Burial will be in Greenwood.  Friends may call after 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon and evening at the funeral home.

 The family requests that instead of floral bouquets memorials be given in the form of contributions to the church building fund.

John Edward Schmitt Obituary, Hamilton Evening Journal, Thursday, April 21, 1932, p.16
Submitted by Theodore R. Schmitt

John Edward Schmitt, one of Hamilton's well known and progressive business men, passed away Thursday morning at 4:10 at the family home,
703 Millville avenue.  Mr. Schmitt's death was not unexpected.  He had been ill since the Christmas holidays suffering from complications which
involved the heart.

Mr. Schmitt was a native of Warsaw, Illinois, where he was born March 10, 1867, the son of the late Charles and Margaret Schmitt.
However, in the early days of his life he came to Hamilton with his parents, his first business venture being the dairy business, he
operating the Four Mile Dairy in a very successful manner.

With the coming of the automobile, Mr. Schmitt became interested in this new piece of mechanism and devoted much study to its various
intricacies.  He saw its possibilities not only from a commercial but from a pleasure standpoint and in partnership with his brother, the late
Charles E. Schmitt, who passed away suddenly in August, 1930, he opened the first garage in Hamilton in 1900, at 216 Main street.  For fifteen
years these quarters were occupied and when increasing business demanded greater space, the garage was moved to 118 Main Street.

The organization of the West Side Motor Company followed and fifteen years ago business had so increased that it was determined to
seek larger and more convenient quarters.  It was then that the present plant of the West Side Motor Company at South Second and Sycamore
streets was erected.  Since then several additions have built until today the plant of the West Side Motor Company is one of the most
extensive and best equipped in Hamilton.  From its organization, Mr. Schmitt was the president of the company.

Mr. Schmitt was a man of rather retiring nature and he devoted his time and energies to the business in which he was engaged, and to his
family.  However, he took a deep interest in the affairs of the Zion Lutheran church.  For a number of years he was an active member of the church board.

The passing of Mr. Schmitt removed from the business life of Hamilton, a man of high ideals not only in his private life but in his
business life.  He believed in straightforward dealings under all conditions and much of the success which has been attained by the West
Side Motor Company has been due to his efforts to build up a business along the highest line of endeavor.

Mr. Schmitt is survived by the widow, Mrs. Clara L. Schmitt; two daughters, Mrs. Robert H. Faber and Mrs. Richard G. Braun; four
grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Jacob Stahlheber; and two brothers, Julius A. Schmitt of Hamilton and Fred E. Schmitt, of Dayton.

Funeral services for Mr. Schmitt will be held privately at the home at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, with services in the Zion Lutheran
church at 2:30, the Rev. C. F. Allwardt officiating.  Interment will take place in Greenwood Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Schmitt home any time after 3 o'clock Friday afternoon.

Henry Schmitt Obituary, Hamilton Evening Journal, November 15, 1934, p.7
Submitted by Theodore R. Schmitt

Henry Schmitt, age 61, formerly of Hamilton, but for the past 25 years a resident of Dayton, Kentucky, died at his home in Dayton Wednesday at 10
a.m. after a long illness.

Schmitt was born and raised in Hamilton.  He was formerly in the insurance business in Kentucky. Surviving are the widow, Ida; two
daughters, Mrs. Justice Straut and Mrs. Dorothy Schreiber, and three sons, Earl, Wilbur and George, all of Dayton; four brothers, John of
Milwaukee, and Carl, Arthur and Peter, of Hamilton; one sister, Mrs. Minnie Engle and his aged mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Schmitt, both of Hamilton.

Funeral services will be held from the Vonderhaar and Stetter Funeral home, 335 East Third street, Newport, Kentucky, Friday at 1:30 p.m.  The
remains will then be brought to Hamilton for burial in Greenwood cemetery Friday at approximately 3:45 p.m.

Pallbearers will be his three sons, Earl, Wilbur and George, and three of his brothers, Carl, Peter and Arthur.

Elsie E. (Humbach) Schmitt Obituary, The Hamilton Journal--The Daily News, Monday, January 2, 1956, p.10
Submitted by Theodore R. Schmitt

Mrs. Elise E. Schmitt, 72, 1121 Reservoir St., died suddenly at 9:20 p.m. Sunday in Fort Hamilton Hospital where she had been a patient since
Wednesday.

She was born in Hamilton on April 19, 1883, a daughter of Jacob and Helene Baker Humbach.  She received her education in Hamilton public
schools and spent her entire life is this community.  Mrs. Schmitt was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she took an active part in all functions of the church.  She was affiliated with the Ladies Aid Society, Von Bora Circle, and was chairman of the Red Cross sewing group of the church.  She also was a chairman of Production and Supplies for Military Installation, American Red Cross.  Her home and church were her chief interest in life.
 
On June 5, 1911, she married Peter Schmitt who preceded her in death in 1936.  She also was preceded in death by an infant son and daughter, and
two brothers, William Humbach and Karl Humbach.  She leaves two daughters, Mrs. Robert Pawlowsky and Mrs. Mark Claudepierre, both of Hamilton; two grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday from the W. F. Cahill and Sons Funeral Home, 229 Dayton St., with the Rev. Paul
Kampfe, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.  Friends may call after 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Carl E. Schmitt Obituary, The Hamilton Journal--The Daily News, October 30, 1961, p.22
Submitted by Theodore R. Schmitt

Carl E. Schmitt, 85, 1370 Hamilton-Richmond Rd., retired rural mail carrier, died at 3:50 p.m. Sunday in Fort Hamilton Hospital where he was
taken Friday.  He had been in failing health for some time.

A native of Hanover Township, Mr. Schmitt was born on May 26, 1876, a son of John and Elizabeth Bender Schmitt.  He was the last member of a
family of six sons and five daughters. On July 29, 1903, he married Carrie J. Schmuck in Hamilton, and they celebrated 58 years of happy married life last summer.

For 31 years, from 1903 to 1934, Mr. Schmitt was the rural mail carrier on old Route 7, which included New Miami, Williamsdale, and Overpeck.
He was known to thousands of residents of those communities through his long service.

He was a charter member of  Immanuel Lutheran Church, a deacon for 25 years, and for a number of years a member of the choir.  He loved to
sing, and he gave of his talent generously and freely to those who requested it.  In the Sunday School he was a teacher and assistant superintendent for
many years.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Carrie J. Schmitt; two sons, Robert J. Schmitt, Tucson, Ariz., and Edward B. Schmitt, Hamilton; a daughter,
Mrs. John R. Beckett, Hamilton; nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren; nieces; nephews, other relatives, and a great many friends.

The Rev. Louis Tirmenstein, pastor of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, will officiate at services Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Elmer A. Proeschel
Funeral Home, 547 Main St.  Burial will be in the family lot in Rose Hill Memorial Park.  Friends may call Tuesday after 5 p.m. at the funeral home.  Those who wish may contribute to the building fund of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in his memory.

Bena C. (Hammel) Schmitt Obituary, Hamilton Journal, Monday, May 13, 1957, p.10
Submitted by Theodore R. Schmitt

Mrs. Bena C. Schmitt, 74, wife of Arthur Schmitt, 480 Emerson Ave., died of a heart attack at 10:30 p. m. Sunday in Fort Hamilton Hospital.
She suffered the attack in her home earlier in the evening, and was removed to the hospital.

Born in Hamilton on Feb. 3, 1883, the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Ritter Hammel, an old and prominent family in the community, she was
married to Arthur Schmitt on March 15, 1905, in the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

A member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was confirmed and baptized, she was a member of the church Ladies Aid Society and active
in all phases of church work. Fond, of home and family, Mrs. Schmitt possessed high Christian ideals and was always interested in helping others.

She leaves her husband, Arthur Schmitt, three daughters, Mrs. Donald V. (Lucille) Meyers, Cincinnati; Mrs. Eugene (Dorothy) Snively, Dayton, and
Mrs. Ed. A. (Loraine) Black, Anderson. Ind., six granddaughters, two great-granddaughters, two sisters, Mrs. Frances Thomas and Mrs. Freda
Beissinger, and a brother, William Hammel, all of Hamilton, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Wednesday in the Elmer A. Proeschel Funeral Home, 547 Main St. with the Rev. Louis Tirmenstein,
pastor of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park, and friends may call at the funeral home after
4 p. m. Tuesday.

Anna Margaret Schmitt Obituary, Hamilton Daily Republican-News, Friday, February 21, 1902, p.1
Submitted by Theodore R. Schmitt

Mrs. Anna Margaret Schmitt, wife of Charles E. Schmitt, died at her home of 342 North 11th street at 5 o'clock this morning of pleurisy,
aged 61 years.  The funeral will take place from the house Sunday at 1:30 p. m. and at 2 o'clock from Immanuel Church, the Rev. Paul
Eickstaldt officiating.  The interment will be at Greenwood cemetery.  The deceased had only been ill since last Thursday.

Friends wishing to view the remains can do so on Saturday from four until nine o'clock p. m.  No flowers.

Mrs. Schmitt was born in Germany, August 31, 1840 and at the time of her death was 61 years, 5 months and 21 days old.  She formerly lived in
St. Clair township but had resided in this city for the past eight years.  Besides her husband, six sons and four daughters survive.  She was the sister-in-law of Mrs. Louis Sohngen and Mrs. John Heinlein, of the First Ward and was a most excellent Christian woman.

Ann Magdalena Schmitt Obituary, Hamilton Evening Journal, Monday, August 12, 1929, p.5
Submitted by Theodore R. Schmitt

Anna Magdalena Schmitt died on Sunday morning at a Cincinnati hospital, after an illness of several months.  Mrs. Schmitt, widow of William
Schmitt, who preceded her in death on November 3, 1928, had been in ill health for about a year, but friends had not thought that her death
would come so soon.  She died on her sixty-third birthday, having been born in Hamilton on August 11, 1866.  She spent her entire life in or
near Hamilton, and during her lifetime had formed friendships with many who consider her death a personal loss.

She leaves two daughters, Mrs. Henry Seim, R. R. 4, and Miss Romilda Schmitt, of Hamilton; two sons, Clarence of Hamilton, and Paul of
Dayton, and five grandchildren.  Two sisters, Mrs. Val Sipp, of Hamilton, Mrs. William Brunner of Toledo; two brothers, William
Heinzelman, of Sevenmile and John Heinzelman of McGonigle, survive her, besides many other relatives and a host of friends.

Mrs. Schmitt was a charter member of the Immanuel Lutheran church, a member of the Ladies' Aid of that church where she was always active.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon.  At the home services will be private at 1:15, at the Immanuel Lutheran church at 2 o'clock, where Rev. G. Ziegler will officiate.  Interment will be made in Greenwood cemetery.  Friends may call at the residence after Tuesday noon.

Sam A. Roberts Obituary, circa 1967
Submitted by Angy Accorinti

Sam A. Roberts, 54, 336 Hastings Ave., Hamilton, was dead on arrival Friday at 12:30 a.m. at Cincinnati General Hospital.  He suffered an apparent heart  attack shortly after he left work at the General Electric plant in nearby Evendale and was taken to the hospital by a life squad.

Mr. Roberts was born in Brodhead, Kentucky, November 1, 1913, a son of Walter L. and Pearl Tirey Roberts, and received his education in the public schools of Fort  Lauderdale, Florida. He married Nan Mcguire on December 23, 1933 in Covington, Kentucky.

Mr. Roberts had been a resident of Hamilton for the last 40 years.  For 15 years he had been employed at the GE plant in Evendale. He enjoyed boating and fishing in his free time.

Mr. Roberts leaves his wife; a son, Ronald Roberts, Hamilton;  his mother, Mrs. Pearl Roberts, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; three brothers, Kenneth Roberts, Hamilton, and Ralph and Walter (Dub) Roberts both of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; three grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Howard Roberts Obituary, circa 1935
Submitted by Angy Accorinti

Howard Roberts, 15-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Roberts, died at his home, 450 North Third Street, Friday night at 7:30 o'clock, death following a lingering illness.  Death was caused by a complication of diseases.

Howard was born May 19, 1920, Harrisburg, Kentucky.  Since coming to Hamilton he had attended the Washington school where he was a favorite among his schoolmates and his teachers.  Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Roberts, four brothers survive.  They are Samuel, Kenneth, Ralph, and Walter, Jr.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 o'clock at the home, 450 North Third Street, with Rev. Anson Skillings in charge.  Interment will be made in
Greenwood cemetery.  Friends may call anytime after Sunday noon, at the home.
 

Daniel Beaver (Bieber) Biographical Sketch
Submitted by Linda Kracke

*The folowing is not an obituary per sesince Daniel Beaver drowned at sea, but it mentions a memorial marker placed at his wife, Catherine Penn Baldwin Beaver's grave in Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton.
 
Source: History and Genealogy of the Bieber, Beaver and Beeker Family by Rev. I. Beaver, 1939, pp. 448-449.
 
Daniel Bieber, with his brother Gideon, removed from Pennsylvania to Rossville, Butler Co., Ohio, some time before 1824. Rossville later combined with the town of Hamilton and about 1854 became the 1st Ward of the city of Hamilton. Daniel and Gideon had been preceded by their oldest brother, John, who later removed to Indiana. At the probate court of Butler County there is a record of a marriage of John Beaver to Elizabeth Bower on December 16, 1813. In the same record book (on page 184) is a record of the marriage of Daniel Beaver to Christina Bower on July 29, 1823. No other Daniel is known to have been in this region, but there is also no knowledge of our Daniel having been married twice. The dates are also very close together, and if he was married twice, the first wife must have died almost immediately.
 
Both Daniel and Gideon were carpenters and builders In "Gems of Thought and Character Sketches" by Dr. Henry Mallory, page 53 & 54, says: Daniel Beaver was carpenter, builder and old-time tavern keeper, at which is now Park and D streets." This plot of ground was bought by Daniel, August 17, 1828. here he built a large three-story brick house and conducted a tavern, which became well known as the Beaver House as a stopping place for teamsters who used to haul their products from the West to the Cincinnati markets and on theri return were loaded with dry goods and groceries for the merchants of country towns. It was no uncommon sight to see a hundred wagons in the Beaver House yard for the night, for they would travel until late, in order to reach this popular place. On July 30, 8133, Daniel purchased two-thirds of lot 25 on the opposite side of Park Ave. On this he erected a large brick house, to which his widow removed after his death and here members of the family have continued to live until present.
 
During the California gold excitement he, like many others, went in search of gold. In 1849 he led a party to the gold fields, returned home after a time, remained for several years and then led another party in about the year 1854 or 5. He is supposed to have been quite successful in 1857. In the summer of that year he returned to the East by ship, but, unhappily, he was lost when the ship "Central America" sunk off cape Hatteras, together with his treasures, and his body was never recovered. One of the party on that ship was a Mr. Vance. He was the only one that was not lost. When an old man, he related the story to Albert W. Beaver, now living in Los Angeles, California, who was then a mere lad. Mr. Vance said they went to California by ox cart, made their find and started home by boat. He never saw so much gold in his life as was on that boat. The deck was filled with gold, all in sacks.
 
There is a memorial stone in Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, Ohio. Gideon, his brother, who had been his agent during his absence, was appointed administrator. The tavern and other property were sold to settle the estate, and the house on the South side of Park Ave. fell to the widow's share, and she moved there with her family. His brave wife, left alone, battled with life's trials until she had raised her young children to a life of honest industry and respectability. In 1836 The Free Protestant St. John's Church, United Church for Reformed and Lutherans without denominational affiliations, was founded in Hamilton and Daniel was elected a member of the first Board of Trustees.
 
The family held to the old school Baptist faith, and Catherine was a member of the church which was maintained for many years on the West bank of the Miami River. Her youngest child, Pierce, remained with her, and she lived with his family until her death 1885. In later years she lost an eye by being struck by a flying walnut shell, and at the end she was an invalid, following a stroke. She is buried on lot 287, Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, Ohio. Issue 13 children.

Mrs. Julia A. Beaver Obituary, The Daily Republican News, Hamilton, Ohio, June 27, 1911.
Submitted by Linda Kracke

In a cottage on South D Street whose doors opened to receive her as a bride nearly 70 years ago, passed at 8 o'clock this morning to the rest reserved for the people of God, Mrs. Julia A. Beaver in the 96th year of her age.  While she had been an invalid for the past few years, her mind was perfectly clear and she was delighted to receive her friends and neighbors who daily called upon her.  She retained her faculties up until yesterday when she sank into a profound sleep, and in that condition her spirit took its flight.

Julia A. Henninger was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1815.  In 1838 she united in marriage at Seven Mile, Butler County, Ohio to Gideon Beaver. They came at once to this city and as soon as possible thereafter, Mr. Beaver built the house in which his wife and family resided until his death some years ago, and from which the venerable widow has now, also, forever departed.

The house was originally a log cabin but was subsequently weather boarded.  Of the union eleven children were born of whom three are living.
Mrs. Moses Wetzel of Dayton. Mrs. John Cook of Nebraska. and Mrs. Anna McClellen the youngest daughter who for many years has made her home with her mother.  There are also nineteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild surviving.

Mrs. Beaver was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church and was a kind, lovable and noble Christian woman.  Due notice will be given of the Funeral.
 
Note: Mrs. Beaver was a sister to Lydia Henninger Bobenmoyer and an aunt to the writers father. She outlived eight of her eleven children.
 
Interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio

Augustus A. Ashworth Obituary, Middletown Journal, April 2, 1947
Submitted by Maryann Robbins

Augustus Ashworth, 91, of Central Ave., well known local businessman, died at  4:30 pm yesterday at Middletown Hospital where he ad been confined since December 23 of last year.

A resident of Middletown since 1897, Mr. Ashworth was president and treasurer of both Ashworth Coal Co and Ashworth Realty Co. He was active in those organizations until last December 6, when he fell and fractured his hip.

A native of Pomeroy, Ohio, Mr. Ashworth was a graduate of the Lebanon Normal School. For five years he taught school at Miltonville, following which he was for 15 years at the Tytus-Gardner Paper Co.  Mr. Ashworth operating the Ashworth Coal & Realty Companies for the last 44 years. From 1908-1916 he was a member of the Board of Education.

The deceased was a member of the First Baptist Church. He was affliated with  Jefferson Lodge #90, F. and A.; Middletown Chapter, No. 87, Ral Arch Masons; the Dayton Consistory of Scottish Rites and Antioc Shrine.

He is survived by his widow, Pearl; three daughters, Mrs. Nelle Leasure and Miss Elizabeth Ashworth, both of this city, and Mrs. Esther Stevens of
Steubenville; one son, Robert, connected with his father in business; five grandchildren; and one brother, Charles of Pomeroy.

The family will receive friends at the McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home tomorrow. Jefferson Lodge #90 will conduct funeral services at the funeral home
tomorrow.  Funeral services and Scottish Rite Ring services will be held at the funeral home Friday. The Rev. H.H. Jung will officate with burial in Woodside cemetery.

Robert Augustus Ashworth Obituary, Middletown Journal, July 7, 1954
Submitted by Maryann Robbins

Robert A. Ashworth, 50, of Highland Street, widely-known and popular Middletown businessman, died last night at Middletown Hospital.

Death of the president and treasurer of the Ashworth Coal Company came at 10 pm from complications that followed a gall bladder operation on Thursday.

Mr. Ashworth had gone to work as usual Thursday morning. Within a short time he became ill and was driven to the hospital where, following consultations, an immediate operation was decided upon. He came through the surgery  successfully but his heart began to fail Saturday, resulting in his death.

Mr. and Mrs. Ashworth were active in many Middletown civic and social circles.  He was a graduate of Denison University, and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

Surviving besides his wife, Mae, are a daughter, Robyn; and three sisters, Mrs. M.P. Stevens of Columbus, Elizabeth Ashworth and Mrs. William Leasure, both of Middletown.

Funeral services are incomplete.
 
 

This site was created by David J. Endres. Those with questions, comments, or additional information are encouraged to contact the compiler.