My great-great grandfather Johann Schmitt (born 1827 Virnburg, Landkreis Mayern Koblenz Germany -1904 Sleepy Eye MN) and his wife Maria Winter Schmitt emigrated from Germany in the mid 1850's, and settled in Jonesburg Il shortly after. Inthe early 1860's, at least two of his children and his wife died in a diptheria epedimic. He then married Magdalena Kaut in 1864.
At some point, he moved to Minnesota,and I have found that he homesteaded in Brown County. Also homesteading in the same area were Nicholas Schmitt, son of Jacob Schmitt and Anna Godert Schmitt, and also a Niklas Schmitt.
The question I have is, I have not found any family relationship between Johann Schmitt and either Nicholas or Niklas Schmitt. I believe that Johann Schmitt and Jacob Schmitt lived in the small villiage in Germany.
So, am trying to see if Johann and Jacob (and his son Nicholas) were related (may be cousins).
Thanks,
Brad Schmitt
