Clifford August Schmiesing (1905-1944)

Happy New Year! I hope 2022 will be a good year for everyone. However, 80 years ago, 1942 was not what people had expected. The US was heavily involved in WWII, with forces fighting in the Pacific, Europe, and Africa. One of the soldiers in Africa was Clifford August Schmiesing, my second cousin 2x removed.

Clifford was born on 14 March 1905 on a farm two and a half miles south of Minster, Auglaize County, Ohio. He was the first born son of Benjamin Franklin Schmiesing and Dora Maria Herkenhoff Schmiesing. Ben and Dora were married on 8 June 1904 in Minster, Ohio. They lived on the farm for several years before the family moved into Minster.

The 1910 US Census lists the family living in Minster, Ohio. The family consisted of Bernard (age 27), Dora (age 27), Clifford (age 5), Elsa (age 3), and Howard (age 9 months). Benjamin (incorrectly listed as Bernard) was a bookkeeper for the flour mill and he owned their home. Clifford attended grade school in Minster for two years before the family moved to Lima, Ohio.

The 1920 US Census has the family renting a home at 304 West Wayne Street in Lima, Allen County, Ohio. The family consisted of Ben F (age 38), Dora (age 38), Clifford (age 15), Elsie (age 13), and Howard (age 10). Wesley Meckstroth (age 27) was listed as a roomer. Ben was the manager of the milk department at White Mountain Creamery Company in Lima. Their roomer, Wesley Meckstroth, was a chemist at White Mountain Company.

On 3 March 1921, Clifford's mother Dora died of pneumonia. She was buried in St. Augustines Cemetery in Minster, Ohio on 7 March 1921.

On 29 November 1922, Benjamin married Nora Bell Hall Wilkins in Allen County, Indiana. Nora had divorced her previous husband on 30 July 1921.

Clifford graduated from Lima St. Rose High School and then attended the St. Louis University of Medicine, where he graduated in 1929. While he was completing his internship in St. Louis, he met Grace Elizabeth Ryan of Salamanca, New York. They were married on 6 September 1930 in Salamanca, Cattaraugus County, New York and on 28 March and 22 June 1936, Clifford and Grace bought land in Salamanca, New York. Clifford started his private practice as a doctor in Salamanca. He was also a member of the Medical Society of New York.

On 21 July 1938, he was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the medical reserve corps of the US Army.

In the 1940 US Census, Clifford (age 35), Grace (age 35), and their children Clifford (age 8), Sandra (age 3), James (age 2), and Julia (age 7 months) are living in Salamanca, New York. Clifford is listed as a doctor with a 4 year college education. Grace is listed as completing 2 years of college.

In March 1941 he entered the Army where he served as a doctor. He achieved the rank of Major. He served overseas for several years but on 21 January 1944 he died in a hospital in Algeria. Prior to his death, Clifford was seriously ill following an accident on 1 January 1944 where he received injuries including a fractured skull. He was survived by his wife and five children ranging in age from 15 months to 10 years. His family was living in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the time of his death. He was buried in a military cemetery in Africa. A solemn high mass was held in Sacred Heart Church with his brother, Rev. Howard Schmiesing presiding. After the war, his body was interred at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.

Sources:

• The Minster Post, Minster, Ohio, 4 February 1944, page 1
• FamilySearch profile (GS7C-SHX)