Carl Schmidt (legislator)

Carl Henry Schmidt was an American printer, newspaper editor and politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate.

Biography
Schmidt was born on September 30, 1835 in Prussia. He moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1855. That year, he also established the German language newspaper Der Nord-Westen. After the outbreak the American Civil War, Schmidt enlisted with the 9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the Union Army. He would achieve the rank of captain. Conflicts Schmidt took part in include the Battle of Van Buren. He died on January 7, 1888.

Political career
Schmidt was Trustee of Manitowoc in 1867 before being defeated for re-election in 1868. In 1870, he was a candidate for Mayor of Manitowoc.After representing the Third District of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin in the Assembly, Schmidt was elected to the Senate in 1870 as a Democrat, defeating Republican John Carey. He remained a senator until 1874.