Following is the history of Anthony Schmelzle's life as written by him. He died in Saginaw, Michigan on August 12, 1945 and is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Saginaw.
Saginaw, Michigan
239 Howard, Street
History of My Life
written October 12, 1932.
I was born June 2, 1866, in Oberkirch, Baden Germany.
I had one sister. She was born in 1864, and died in 1871.
My Father died when I was only three months old.
My mother married Mathias Bohnert in 1868.
When I was seven years old, I had to go to school, and I finished the eighth grade at the age of fourteen.
In the fall of 1880, my parents sold their home to go to America.
We left home October 12, 1880. On our trip we came through some big cities.
Our first stopping place was Strasburg, Alsace, then in Afrecurt, France, then Paris. I will never forget that town. I almost got lost there.
Then we came to Havre, a big sea port. We stayed there overnight.
The next morning, October the 12th, we went on board a big steamer America.
After a journey of eleven days, we saw New York at night and what a sight for me! It sure was beautiful! The next day we were transferred to Castle Garden, from there to a hotel where we stayed overnight.
The following day, we got on the train to go to Reading, Pennsylvania. Arriving at Reading, we stayed with a cousin of my step-father, Andrew Gieringer, for a few days until we found a suitable home. After we were all settled, I had to go to school. I went to St. Pauls Catholic School for six months.
Then I went to work in a tailor shop, but I did not like it.
After that, I got a job in a dentist office as errand boy. I stayed there about one year. Then I went to work at Heitzmans light hardware factory for 25 cents a day 10 hours a day. Then I worked in Harpsters hardware factory.
After that, a boy friend and I took care of a herd of cattle for one summer.
Then I got a job in a grocery store with John Humma at Ninth and Walnut Street. After a few months, Mr. Humma moved his store to Manayunk and took me with him. I stayed there for about one year. When I came back to Reading, I got work at Ricks hardware factory. I worked there for about six months.
Then I decided to learn a trade. I wanted to learn the harness trade.
May 4, 1884, I got a job with Mr. Jacob H. Hain at 321 Penn Street.
I had to work from 7AM until 6PM for $l a week and board for the first year, the second year $2 a week, the third year $3 and the fourth year $4.
After I was through with my apprenticeship, I got $1.25 a day or $7.50 a week and my board. August 15, 1890, my mother died at the age of 60.
February 26, 1892, Mr. Hain my boss died at the age of 67.
Then I had to look for another job as Mr. Hains business was discontinued.
I got a job with Mr. Joseph H. Lutz at 227 Penn Street. I stayed with him for about two years. Then I went to Pottstown, PA. I stayed there for a few months then came back to Reading and got a job with Charles Gieringer at 1908 Penn Street. After that I worked for Donahour at 629 Penn Street.
Then I got a job with Luther Frees at 417 Penn Street for awhile.
Then I got work at the Reading Pipe and Iron Works for one winter.
After that I went back to Luther Frees again.
In the fall of 1898, I took sick. It was during the Spanish American War.
I was taken to St. Joseph Hospital. A few days later about 100 American soldiers were brought there with typhoid fever. After I got over my sickness, I got a job at the hospital. In the spring of 1902, I got a job with Mr. Charles A. Kohler at the East Reading Hotel as bartender. In 1904, Mr. Kohler moved to Seventh and Franklin.
That summer I got acquainted with Miss Mary Myers from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. In July 1905, Miss Myers and I left Reading to go West. We stayed in Toledo, Ohio for a week with Joseph J. Myers a brother of my lady friend.
From Toledo, we went to Mt. Pleasant where I stayed with Mary's folks on their farm three miles west of town. We were married September 26, 1905, at Sacred Heart Church by Father T. J. O'Connor in Mt. Pleasant. I got a job at John Butschers Buggy Box Factory. I walked three miles to work every morning for about two months. Then we moved to town. We lived in two rooms until my step-father came from Reading to live with us. I got a job with Mr. Fitzgerald on West Broadway in a lunch room. In 1906, our first baby Marie was born. (Oct.5)
In 1907, I started in the harness business on West Michigan Street. In 1908, our Joe was born. In 1910, Colette was born. In 1912, we bought a home at the corner of Michigan and Arnold Ave. In 1914, we remodeled our house. In may 1917, I sold out my harness business and got a job as janitor at Sacred Heart Church.
September 21, 1917, my step-father died at the age of 82.
The beginning of 1918, I got a job at Gorham Brothers Veneering factory. In July that same year, I got a letter from Charles Phillips, manager of Morley Brothers Harness factory in Saginaw, Michigan to come to work there. August 1, 1918, I started to work for Morley Brothers. August 7th, I moved my family to Saginaw. July 1919, we bought a home at 259 Howard Street. In June 1920, Morley Brothers shut down for two months. Then I got a job at Wolfarth's Bakery. After working at the bakery four years and a half, I was asked to come back to Morley Brothers again. I worked there for four more years. They then shut down again for a while. Then February 1, 1929, I got a job at Wilcox Rich Corp. where I am still employed.
signature of Anthony Schmelzle
Submitted by: Stephanie Schickinger.