ALFRED WARNER THOMAS “AL” SCHMELTZER

Alfred Warner Thomas Schmeltzer
(photo from 1927 Rockford High School yearbook)

Alfred Warner Thomas “Al” Schmelzter gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. December 16, 1908 in Dakota, Stephenson, County, IL
M. Army Veteran (January 17, 1944 – March 2, 1946)
D. September 13, 1987 (Last residence: Round Lake, Lake County, IL)
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Edward Reep Schmeltzer born July 27, 1885 in Dakota, Stephenson County, IL, son of Henry Schmeltzer and Ella (Gilbert) Schmeltzer; married (1) Maude Wells; married (2) Frances Kendle; Edward died December 8, 1951 in Princeton, Gibson County, IN

According to the Princeton Daily Clarion (Princeton IN) Sunday, December 9, 1951, page 4:

“Edward Schmeltzer

   Edward R. Schmeltzer, 66, died about 2:30 a. m. Saturday at his home, 123 Center street, following an illness of some three years.
   Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Colvin and Son Chapel with Rev. A. C. Weir officiating.  Burial will be in the White Church cemetery.
   Survivors include the wife, Frances; a daughter, Mrs. Floyd Nelson of Rockford, Ill.; a son, Alfred of Round Lake, Ill.; a step-daughter, Mrs. Ethel Timmons of Indianapolis; two step-son, Virgil Watkins of Indianapolis and Virl A. Watkins of Princeton; and three grandchildren, Keith, Floyett and Roger Nelson, all of Rockford, Ill.
   Born at Dakota, Ill. Mr. Schmeltzer was a car salesman for a number of years and more recently an employe of Servel, Inc. of Evansville.  He made his home in Princeton for the past 17 years.
   Mr. Schmeltzer is at the Colvin and Sun funeral home where friends may call after 1 p. m. today.”

  • Mother: Maude Esta (Wells) (Schmeltzer) Thompson born April 14, 18878 in Rock Grove, Stephenson County, IL, daughter of William Warner Wells (1862-1941) and Ida May (Bennehoff) Wells (1859-1936); married (1) Edward Reed Schmeltzer; married (2) Charles Cleveland “Charlie” Thompson (1885-1956), son of George Thompson (1840-1912) and Virginia A. Thompson (1854-1919); Maude died May 25, 1950 in Rockford, Winnebago County, IL; Maude and Charles are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Rockford, Winnebago County, IL
  • Wife 1: Evelyn P. Kin; married 1926 in Boone County, IL
  • Wife 2: Marjorie L. “Marge” Cleveland born Jun 24, 1909 in Illinois, daughter of George Tyler Cleveland (1878-1943) and Edith A. (Bauer) Cleveland (1882-1969) (See section pertaining to George Tyler Cleveland buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery); Marjorie died July 31, 1983 (See section pertaining to Marjorie L. “Marge” (Cleveland) Schmeltzer buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Siblings:
    • Veda Elizabeth (Schmeltzer) Nelson born February 13, 1906 in Illinois; married Floyd Vincent Nelson (1903-1977) on August 23, 1937 in Dubuque, Dubuque County, IA, son of Henning E. Nelson (1869-1916) and Emma Victoria (Anderson) Nelson (1870-1949); Veda died December 2, 1993; Veda and Floyd are buried in Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford, Winnebago County, IL
    • Vida Lorena Schmeltzer born March 16, 1907 in Illinois; Vida died September 21, 1918 in Rockford, Winnebago County, IL; buried in Dakota Cemetery, Dakota, Stephenson County, IL

According to the Belvidere Daily Republican (Belvidere IL) Thursday, September 26, 1918, page 2:

   “The sad news reached here early last Sunday morning announcing the death of Vida Schmeltzer at her home 217 North Fourth street, Rockford, which occurred about 10 o’clock Saturday afternoon.  The deceased was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Schmeltzer, formerly of this place, and the cause of her demise was diabetes from which affliction she suffered a number of months while living here in the Moore building on Main street.  She was about 11 years old.  Much sympathy and condolence is extended to the bereaved ones.  The funeral was held at the home on last Monday afternoon and burial was at Dakota, Ill., a former home.
  Mrs. Lee L. Smith accompanied by Mrs. L. H. Branch attended the funeral of Vida Schmeltzer at Rockford last Monday morning.”

Additional Information:

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Rock Run Township, Stephenson County, IL the household members were:

“Edward Schmeltzer, head, age 25, married once for 4 years, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois, occupation: farmer – general farm; Maud Schmeltzer, wife, age 23, married once for 4 years, 3 children born, 3 children living, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; Veda Schmeltzer, daughter, age 4, single, born in Illinois; Vida Schmeltzer, daughter, age 3, single, born in Illinois; Alfred Schmeltzer, son, age 1, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Rockford City, Rockford Township, Winnebago County, IL living at 217 N. 4th, the household members were:

“E. R. Schmeltzer, head, age 35, married, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois, occupation: salesman – stock food; Maud Schmeltzer, wife, age 33, married, born in Illinois, parents born in United States, occupation: cook – restaurant; Veda Scheltzer, daughter, age 13, single, born in Illinois; Alfred Schmeltzer, son, age 11, son, born in Illinois”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Round Lake Village, Avon Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Harry B. Merritt, head, age 32, married at age 18, born in Illinois, father born in Illinois, mother born in Canada, occupation: manager – lumber company; Lorena E. Merritt, wife, age 32, married at age 18, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; Alfred W. Schmeltzer, nephew (NOTE: Lorena (Wells) (Merritt) Wie (1898-1988) is the sister of his mother, Maude (Wells) (Schmeltzer) Thompson), age 21, married at age 17, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois, occupation: bookkeeper – lumber company; Evelyn E. Merritt, daughter, age 13, single, born in Illinois; Donald B. Merritt, son, age 11, single, born in Illinois”

According to the Daily Sentinel (Woodstock IL) Friday, May 31, 1935, page 2:

“SPRING GROVE

   The firemen met Thursday night at the town hall to appoint officers.  Those receiving offices were: Paul Weber, fire chief, Arthur J. Oxtoby, asst. chief, Al Schmeltzer, president and Charles Freun, Secretary and Treasurer.  It was decided that a meeting will be held every fourth Thursday of the month starting in June.”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Spring Grove Village, Burton Township, McHenry County, IL, the household members were:

“Alfred Scheltzer, head, age 31, married, highest grade completed: H4, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: manager – retail lumber and coal; Marge Schmeltzer, wife, age 30, married, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Alfred Warner Thomas Schmeltzer; Address: Spring Grove, McHenry County, Ill; Telephone:  Richmond 482; Age in Years: 31; Date of Birth: Dec 16 1908; Place of Birth: Dakota, Ill, U.S.A.; Name of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Marjorie Schmeltzer; Relationship to That Person: Wife; Address of That Person: Spring Grove, McHenry County, Ill; Employer’s Name: Tibbit’s Cameron Lumber Co.; Place of Employment: Spring Grove, McHenry County, Ill; Race: White; Height: 5′ 4″; Weight: 165; Eyes: Brown; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Round Lake Village, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on Goodnow Blv, the household members were:

“Alfred W Schmeltzer, head, age 41, married, born in Illinois, Manages Lumber Co – Lumber; Marjorie, L, Schmeltzer, wife, age 40, married, born in Illinois”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Friday, June 20, 1969, page 5:

“DEATH

   We were sorry to hear of the death of Mrs. Edith Cleveland of  Round Lake.  She was Mrs. Marge Schmeltzer’s mother.  Mr. and Mrs. Schmeltzer are former residents of Spring Grove.  Mr. Schmeltzer was manager of a local lumber company for about fifteen years.  Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to them.”