John Allen Schmidt

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/171132234
• Residence: William St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-110543

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

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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

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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.

John married Jessie Mary Rathe 20 May 1920, Brantford, Brant Co., Ontario, Canada. Jessie (daughter of Louis Ignace Rathe and Elizabeth "Bessie" Anderson) was born 6 Oct 1891, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 13 Jan 1978, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 15 Jan 1978, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-340655

Notes:

John Schmidt, b in Ayr, died in Calgary, Alberta,
Married Jean Perry (1st wife) born in South Dumfries, died in Michigan in 1983, Four children:
John Patrick Schmidt,
William Louis Schmidt,
Inez Louise Schmidt
Thomas Schmidt
Married Margaret (2nd wife), no children

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John T. Schmidt

John Thomas Schmidt of Chancellor, Alta. passed away in Strathmore Hospital on Thursday, May 5, 2005. He was in his 83rd year.

Born in Galt, he was a son of John A. Schmidt and Jessie Rathe. Following his education in Ayr, he joined the family operated Ayr News before going to the Hamilton Spectator as a Linotype operator. After a short time there his love of farming led to a position as a farm writer at the K-W Record in 1949. In 1958 he joined the Calgary Herald as agricultural editor, a position he held until retirement 28 years later. In 1991 he was presented with an honorary membership in the Canadian Farm Writers Federation. He continued writing a weekly agricultural column for a dozen weekly papers, including The News, up to within two weeks of his passing.

Surviving are his wife Margaret (Salkeld); sons John and wife Diane of Ayr, Bill and his wife Diana of Vancouver; a daughter Inez of Portland, Oregon; a brother Jim of Ayr; six grandchildren and a great-grandson. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son Tom and a brother Robert. Cremation, followed by a private family service. Interment Ayr Cemetery.

The Ayr News May 11 2005 pg 12

John — Margaret Salkeld. Margaret was born Abt 1925. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-111181

Notes:

Robert A. Schmidt, Editor Of Ayr News Passes Suddenly

This week's issue of the Ayr News is being published under great difficulty and sadness following the unexpected death early Tuesday morning of the editor, Robert Alfred Schmidt. His death at age 43 occurred in St. Mary's Hospital, Kitchener, following a slight stroke which he had suffered Monday night while driving to his home on the Ayr-Wrigley's Road. He had left the News office early after complaining about feeling unwell. He had left the car and started for his home only a short distance away when he collapsed. Members of the family noticed him and called a doctor who had him immediately taken to hospital, where he died some seven hours later. Mr. Schmidt's death follows by only 2 1/2 months that of his father, John A. Schmidt, who wrote the Rambling Reporter column for the Ayr News. The elder Schmidt died under almost the same circumstances in hospital. The News editor was one of the hardest-working individuals in the weekly newspaper fraternity in Ontario. He and his brother, James W., the president of The Ayr News Ltd., worked many overtime hours to build up one of the most outstanding weeklies and job printing plants for the size of the town in Canada. A measure of the success of the business may be seen in the fact that when John A. Schmidt and his brother Alfred bought the paper in 1913 the circulation was about 500. The circulation today has been built up to more than 3,000 and this is due to the business acumen of the Schmidt family in the Ayr, Bright Drumbo, Princeton, Plattsville, New Dundee and Innerkip districts. Bummer, as he was affectionately known to a wide circle of business acquaintances and friends in this wide territory, was ever obliging in servicing his advertising and job printing contracts - and seldom was a delivery schedule missed. He worked many, many hours assisting his friends with the preparation of copy and layouts. Incidentally, that nickname Bummer comes from his activities on the football field where he developed a drop kick reminiscent of the southpaw booting of one, Bummer Sterling. He was left-handed and wrote every bit of copy in longhand, and he could turn it out faster than many newspaper men with the aid of a typewriter. He had a witty style of writing-when he had time to put his hand to that type of writing. Schmidt was born in Ayr in 1924, the second of three brothers who all followed their father's footsteps into the printing and publishing business. Like his other two brothers, he was required to "work around the office" after four and on Saturdays - and sometimes Sundays - during his days at Ayr Public and Continuation Schools. These two schools were only two sources of formal education. The balance of his education he received around the Ayr News, which had a reputation for turning out knowledgeable graduates. With the semi-retirement of Mr. Schmidt, Sr., from the business, a limited company was formed with Mr. Schmidt and brother James as the principals. The business has been very demanding of the time as new printing processes were adopted and expensive machinery was added. At his death he had put in 26 years fulltime at the weekly newspaper business, having started in the News plant at age 17. He spent all of his career here except for a short stint at the Delhi News-Record. Mr. Schmidt was not a "joiner" nor did he engage in much activity of a social nature around Ayr. However, he used his pen to promote the good of the community. He was an astute student of politics of the community and as one of those newspapermen possessed of the ability "to know what was going on." He was a member of the United Church of Canada. Survivors are his wife, Grace, RR 1, Ayr; mother, Mrs. John A. Schmidt, Ayr; brothers, John T., agricultural editor of the Calgary Herald, and James W. of Ayr. The body is at Coutts Funeral Home, 96 St. Andrews St., Galt, until Thursday at 2 p.m. when funeral service will, be held. Interment will be in Ayr Cemetery. Coming home to write the "obit" of a brother and good friend has been a difficult and lonely task. I take pride in writing of only a few of the accomplishments of a life cut off too soon. - John T. Schmidt.

The Ayr News Apr 4 1968 pg 1

Robert — Grace. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-340723

Notes:

James William Schmidt, a life-long resident of Ayr, passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, May 22, 2023, at Freeport Hospital. He was in his 96th year. Born at home in Ayr, August 1, 1927 the youngest son of John A. and Jessie Schmidt (nee Rathé). Survived by his eight children, Paul and his wife Nancy of Ayr, Kathleen Janzen and her husband Bill of Waterloo, Elaine and her husband Rick Yellen of Corpus Christi, Texas, Irene Adeney and her husband Geoff, George and his wife Janet, Ann and her husband Steve Brunton, Michael and his wife Merry, Heidi and her husband Derrick Ostner, all of Ayr; his grandchildren Robert, Thom, Sarah, Nicole, Kymn, Bekki, Sharleen, Jacquelyn, Elisabeth, Hillary, Patrick, Matthew, Jessica, Ian, Alex, Andrea, and Calvin; 21 great-grandchildren; also survived by his sister-in-law Margaret Schmidt of Chancellor, Alberta and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Lavina (2004); his grandson Konrad Ostner and his great-grandchildren Lee-anne and James Schmidt; his brothers John T. and Robert Schmidt. Friends may call at the Ayr Chapel, Wm. Kipp Funeral Home, Ayr Chapel, 183 Northumberland St. Ayr on Thursday May 25, 2023, from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A private family service will take place at the funeral home chapel. Interment Ayr Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ayr Paris Band, Ayr Minor Softball or Ayr Minor Hockey would be appreciated. Online condolences and donations may be arranged through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting WM. Kipp 519 632 8228.

James Schmidt Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (2023). Available at: https://www.wmkippfuneralhome.com/memorials/james-schmidt/5198456/?fbclid=IwAR08uph53qWhMO8wXDM-1oGi6LAVl_L0PrzsucJmDlknQEyVHu3qEya_HP4 (Accessed: 23 May 2023).

James — Lavina Irene McCombs. Lavina was born 1929, Beachville, Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; died 24 Aug 2004, Brantford, Brant Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried 27 Aug 2004, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]