John Allen Schmidt

1890 - 1968  (77 years)

• Name	John Allen Schmidt
  Born	27 Jan 1890	Paisley, Elderslie Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario   [1, 2]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/171132234
  Residence	William St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-110543
  Died	16 Jan 1968	Brantford, Brant Co., Ontario, Canada   [1, 3]
  Buried	19 Jan 1968	Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 3]
  Person ID	I110543	Generations
  Last Modified	3 Mar 2025

  
  

  Father	James Allan Schmidt,   b. 28 Apr 1862, Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada ,   d. 7 Feb 1927, Saint Marys, Blanshard Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 64 years)
  Mother	Elisabetha "Elisabeth" Elizabeth" Fink,   b. 4 Nov 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 28 May 1935, Saint Marys, Blanshard Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 73 years)
  Married	28 Apr 1887	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  Family ID	F11881	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Jessie Mary Rathe,   b. 6 Oct 1891, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 13 Jan 1978, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 86 years)
  Married	20 May 1920	Brantford, Brant Co., Ontario, Canada   [5]
  Children	1. John Thomas Schmidt,   b. 1923, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 5 May 2005, Strathmore, Alberta  (Age 82 years)   2. Robert Alfred "Bummer" Schmidt,   b. 1924, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 2 Apr 1968, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 44 years)   3. James William Schmidt,   b. 1 Aug 1927, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 22 May 2023, Freeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 95 years)
  Last Modified	4 Mar 2025
  Family ID	F39306	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Passes After 55 Years As Ayr's Strongest Supporter On Friday, John A. Schmidt was laid to rest in Ayr Cemetery, over-looking the village where had spent nearly 55 years of his life. It can be said he reposes in the community Which he truly called home, which he appreciated had done much for him, and he was happy to reciprocate. Possibly he was in a better position than most to help the community through support of causes and projects in the columns of the News, and he always recognized this advantage. Among projects which benefited from his pen were the Ayr Community Centre building fund, the memorial plot fund, Victoria park pavilion, and many others. In recent years he worked enthusiastically to foster close relations between Ayr, Scotland, and our Ayr On two occasions he was host to W. H. (Billy) Dunlop, publisher of the Ayr, Scotland, Advertiser, whose equal enthusiasm in auld Ayr has resulted in an unbreakable tie. And who can forget the memorable visit to Ayr of the famous Beresford Girls' Choir only two years ago. which was arranged by the Rambler, as he often referred to himself? Like any good newspaperman. his articles occasionally took a critical view of some situation, and frequently involves him in controversy. However, sticking to the truest journalism principles, he never permitted personalities to enter any of his newspaper battles. It was a matter of personal pride that during his tenure as owner of the News he had never once retracted a printed statement. Although he sold the business to his sons some years ago, the word "retire" was not in his vocabulary. At that time he began writing a weekly column of short travelogues under the heading, The Rambling Reporter. The column was an immediate hit and rapidly developed a large readership. In later years when travelling became diffficult the Rambler branched into reminiscences and comments on topical subjects. His last column appeared on January 4. Although his writing exhibited his Keen reasoning, and personal contact showed his ready wit and charm, a side of his personality which he unsuccessfully tried to hide was his sympathetic concern for someone who had suffered misfortune. If it could be called a hobby, he was a keen student of the market, and developed this interest into the field of national economy and government. He was born in Paisley on January 27. 1890, the son of James and Elizabeth Schmidt. Ms father was a skilled cooper, a trade which was rapidly giving way to more modern manufacturing methods He joined his lather in the trade at years of age and learned the meaning of hard work. The lesson was so firmly implanted that industriousness became the key to his working life, and was one of the ingredients lie admired most in the makeup of others. Ile subsequently became a grocery clerk when the family moved to St. Marys. was pursuing this trade in Galt when the Ayr News came up fur sale, and was purchased in partnership with his brother Alfred in October, 1913. He came into sole ownership some two years later when his brother departed to serve in the armed forces. He was married in 1920 to Jessie M. Rathe, who survives, along with three sons, John T. of Calgary, Robert A. and James of Ayr. A sister, Mrs.. Glen Slater (Kathleen) of St. Marys also survives, as well as 11 grandchildren. Ayr News Jan 25 1968 pg 1 _______________ SCHMIDT, John Allan, at Brantford General Hospital, Brantford, on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 1968, John Allan Schmidt, Ayr., Ont., in his 78th year, beloved husband of Jessie Rathe Schmidt, dear father of John T., Calgary, Alta., Robert A. and James W . both of Ayr. Private funeral service at Coutts and Son Funeral Home, Galt, on Friday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. Temporary entombment in Ayr Cemetery Chapel. Flowers gratefully declined. Kitchener-Waterloo Record Jan 17 1968 pg 24 ________________ John Schmidt, Ayr Publisher, Dead At 77 John Allan Schmidt, publisher and senior editor of the Ayr News for over fifty years, died Tuesday in hospital after an illness, at the age of 77. In partnership with his broter the late Alfred Schmidt, he had purchased the Ayr News in October 1913. Although having retired from active work at the weekly newspaper several years ago, he continued his association with it by writing a weekly column under the heading Rambling Reporter. Mr. Schmidt was noted as being a staunch supporter of his community and one of Ayr's best known citizens. His individualism was his trademark, and his style of writing was enjoyed by the publication's readers across the country. He was born at Paisley, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Schmidt, resided in St. Marys for few years, then moved to Galt prior to purchasing the weekly newspaper at Ayr. In earlier years, he was noted for hos swimming ability, and won awards in many swimming competitions. He was married to the former Jessie M. Rathe, who survives him, at Brantford in 1920. Also surviving are three sons, John T., farm editor of the Calgary Herald, presently on assignment in New Zealand, and Robert A. and James W., both of Ayr; and one sister, Mrs. Glen (Kathleen) Slater, St. Marys, he was predeceased by one brother and two sisters. Funeral services were held at Galt, Friday afternoon, and temporary entombment followed in Ayr cemetery chapel.

  
  

• Sources

  [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link . Schmidt/ Robert Alfred/ Schmidt/ 1924 - 1968/ John Allen/ Schmidt/ 1890 1968/ his wife/ Jessie Mary/ Rathe/ 1891 -1978/ till We Meet AgaIn [S57] Vit - ON - Birth Registration. Name: John Alfred Schmitt Date of Birth: 27 Jan 1890 Gender: Male Birth Place: Bruce, Ontario, Canada Father's name: James Schmitt Mother's name: Elizabeth Fink [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link . Schmidt/ Robert Alfred/ Schmidt/ 1924 - 1968/ John Allen/ Schmidt/ 1890 1968/ John Thomas Schmidt/ 1923 - 2005/ his wife/ Jessie Mary/ Rathe/ 1891 -1978/ till We Meet AgaIn [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 12 May 1887. 28 Apr 1887 Elisabetha Fink of Waterloo and James Smith of Toronto, were married by Pastor W.H. B ttner in Waterloo. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration. Name: Jessie M Rathe Age: 28 Birth Date: abt 1892 Birth Place: Ayr Marriage Date: 20 May 1920 Marriage County or District: Brant Father: Louis Rathe Mother: Elizabeth Anderson Spouse: John A Schmitt Spouse's Age: 30 Spouse Birth Date: abt 1890 Spouse Birth Place: Paisley Spouse Father: James Schmitt Spouse Mother: Elizabeth Fink

  
  

• Event Map

  Residence - - William St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 20 May 1920 - Brantford, Brant Co., Ontario, Canada Died - 16 Jan 1968 - Brantford, Brant Co., Ontario, Canada Buried - 19 Jan 1968 - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth