Research for this memorial page was taken from census records, birth and death records and a heavy reliance on the story teller, John L Garske, grandson of Nicholas and Catherine Schmitt Researcher Susan Garske Sylvester

Catherine Nilles Schmitt's parents were Henry Nilles and Angelica Rou Nilles. They both were born in Germany. They were married on February 12, 1824 in Konz near Tier AM Mosel, Germany. They had six childen. Catherine was the 4th born of the family. Her cemetery stone does not reflect her birth record. Her birth record from Germany says she was born on December 21, 1829 and was baptized December 22, 1829. This occurred in Hamm, Saarburg, Rheinland, Prussia.
Out of the 6 children 3 will immigrate to the United States: Margaret, Catherine, and Peter Nilles. Catherine's husband Nicholas Schmitt will send money to pay for the passage of her parents to immigrate to the United States.

Both Nicholas Schmitt and Catherine Nilles immigrated to America in 1854. On the six week voyage to America he met Catherine Nilles. Both their destinations were to Chicago, Illinois. They arrived in New York on May 31, 1853.

Nick and Catherine were married in Chicago in 1855 or 1856.
They will eventually move to Belle Plaine in the summer of 1857. Catherine will have 12 children:

Catherine born 3-1-1857 in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota
Margaret born 6-2-1858 in Belle Plaine, Scott, Minnesota
Mary Ann born 7-23-1859 in Belle Plaine
Peter born 8-7-1860 died the same day in Belle Plaine
Nicholas born 12-21-1861 in Belle Plaine
Ann Maria born 12-21-1861 his twin sister died before 1865
Frank born 7-25-1863 born in Belle Plaine
Anna Catherina born 11-20-1864 Belle Plaine
Susanna Katherine born 6-15-1867 Belle Plaine
Johanna born 7-25-1867 born 7-25-1867
Angelia born 7-15-1871 died 2-15-1876 Belle Plaine
Josephine Theresa born 12-14-1873 died the same day Belle Plaine

After living for 20 years in Belle Plaine with a very prosperous business, her husband Nicholas decided he wanted to become a farmer and moved the family to Reville County. He started a farm but within two years died leaving his wife and children to run the farm.

John L Garske, the grandson of Nicholas and Catherine has the story of what happened to the family after his death.
He spells Catherine's name as Katherine.

"The specifics of John's family history can't be printed here but lets just say that after his death, Katherine had asked for his estate to be settled with his business partners in Belle Plaine. Things did not go well and they were left with only the farm in Renville and a house in Belle Plaine near Schmitt Brewery. The farm implements, cattle, and the horses were all removed from their homestead.

Nick Schmitt Jr. being about 14 years of age and the oldest boy, now had a heavy burden on his shoulders. He had to operate the farm without machinery, horses, wagons or stock. The daughters all had to work outside of the home. They all found jobs away from the farm with other settlers to earn a little money. Aunt Hanna hired herself out to a settler to herd his cattle on the prairie. She earned $1.00 a month. Katherine and the rest of the children worked in the field. Some neighbors came and helped when the crops were ripe and ready for harvesting. It was very difficult."

(The 1880 census has Catherine the head of the house at age 50. Her birthplace was Prussia. There home now is in Preston Lake, Renville County, Minnesota. She was listed as widowed. With her were listed the following children: Nicholas age 18 and his occupation was a farmer. Frank age 17 and his occupation was a laborer. Anna age 15 no occupation, Susan age 13 at school, and Johanna age 12 at school. Also living with them were John and Mary Tumir age 21 and 20. They were a brother and sister. John’s occupation was a laborer and Mary’s was a servant. Also a John Wilson was living with them and he was listed as a laborer. At this point in 1880 the family does not seem to be destitute. It must have been a big responsibility for both Nick Jr. and Frank to be running the farm.)

"Browerton was the end of the railroad for several years. Then they built on to the railroad and the new tracks passed about 80 rods from the Nick Schmitt farmland. This new railroad extension started the town of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. It was located not far from the Nick Schmitt farm. Katherine bought 160 acres of school land and increased her farm to 320 acres. Farming became a hardship on young Nick Jr. as the older daughters were beginning to get married. Frank the second son also got married and went into the well drilling business. Daughter Susanna had gone to work for Frank and Lucy Garske on their homestead near Hector, Minnesota. That is where she met her future husband, Gregor A. Garske."

(The 1885 Minnesota Territorial Census still has Catherine living in Preston Lake at age 55. Living with her was Nick age 23 and Frank age 21. It looks like all the girls were gone which gives John’s story credibility. Where were the girls? I did not have very good luck tracking the girls down in 1885. Margaret was already married to Patrick Gallagher and living in Preston Lake. I could not find Anna, Susanna or Mary. I did find Johanna age 16 living with the Nic Shramm family in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. They had children so she could have been working there as a servant.)

"Katherine left the farm and moved back to Belle Plaine. She rented the farm out on a share crop agreement to Bill Luke. From then on she made her home with her children. Eventually, Katherine sold the farm. The money was divided between the children. Nick Schmitt Jr. went to Nebraska and bought land. He became a very wealthy farmer. His land holdings were near Lincoln, Nebraska."

"Catherine passed away in Maple Lake while staying with her daughter, Susanna Schmitt Garske. She died February 14, 1898 (Her cemetery stone has the same date) and was buried in Belle Plaine in the family plot. Katherine had been entitled to a soldier’s pension after Nick had died but she never knew about it. The family found this out after she died."

(This article was in the Buffalo Journel of 2-23-1898: “Mrs. G.A. Garske returned home last Friday evening from Belle Plaine where she attended the funeral of her mother, Mrs. Catherine Smith (Schmitt). Relatives from McLeod County visited Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Garske the latter part of the week.”)
(This obituary was found in the Belle Plaine Herald 2-16-1898 Died-Mrs. Nic. Schmitt, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. G.A. Garske at Maple Lake, with who she resided, on Monday evening, Feb. 14, 1898, of inflammation of the bowels; aged 67 years, 1 month and and 22 days. Deceased resided here for many years in early times, having located in Belle Plaine in 1857. About nineteen years ago her husband died when his remains were brought here for interment and it being her wish to be buried here also, her remains were brought to Belle Plaine last evening and taken to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. S. Bowler, she being an aunt of the latter, and besides having the most roomy and convenient residence of her many relatives here. Deceased was a native of Rhine Province, Prussia and emigrated to this country in 1851. She leaves six daughters and one son, all married, besides an unusually large number of other relatives. The funeral takes place tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 10 o’clock from Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church. When it is expected that all her children, residing in different parts of the state will be present. May she rest in Peace.)

"County courthouse records show that Nicklous Schmitt and Katerina Schmitt deeded the land of block 147 on May 24, 1875 for the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery at Belle Plaine. All Catholics that had died in Belle Plaine in the years from 1856-1870 were buried in the old cemetery east of town by the old white washed long cabin of St. Martin Mission. There are several relatives buried there."