Chapter One Family Background
We begin with Otto's grandparents on his father's side.

Rev. Franz Wilhelm Schmitt was born in Germany on Oct. 19, 1835. His parents were Franz Kaspar Fidel Schmitt and Elenora Wilhelmina Kurz. He was educated at Heidelberg University and ordained a Lutheran clergyman in Germany . Competent in seven languages, he wanted his children to be also. He came to the United States and served as pastor of a Lutheran con­gregation in North Tonawanda , New York . On July 29, 1863 he married Anna Margaretha Schaller. The couple had nine children. Pastor Schmitt used a horse in making visits to parishioners. After making such a call he contracted pneumonia and died during the winter of 1885. He is buried in Martinsville , New York .

Extensive Schaller family records exist, tracing lineage back to 1650, so that more is known about Anna Margaretha Schaller Schmitt. She was born Aug. 14, 1840 in Kirchenlamitz, about ten miles from Selb in Bavaria , Germany . Her parents were Johannes Kaspar Schaller (1/16/1795 to 10/10/1865) and Eva Elizabeth Stengel (9/28/1795 to 11/1/1863). Johannes was a burgher (middle-class townsman) whose occupations were master shoemaker and farmer just as were father and grandfather before him. The extended Schaller family includes many blacksmiths, weapon makers, clergy, scientists, musicians and teachers. Such extended family names appear as Bartling, Graebner, Guebert, Heyne, Jungkuntz, Roehrs, Roschke, and Young. Anna Nargaretha was one of eight children. Her whole family left Germany and settled in St. Louis between 1848 and 1858. Her wedding was conducted by her oldest brother, Rev. Johann Michael Gottlieb Schaller, pastor of Old Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in St. Louis and in 1872 a professor at Concordia Seminary.

Upon the death of her husband in 1885 Anna took their nine children to live with another brother, Rev. Nicol Friedrich Schaller. Seven years older than Anna, Friedrich was pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud, Illinois , from 1859 to 1890. Anna earned money by sewing and baking stollens.

Anna is the “Grossmutter” (grandmother) whom Otto often mentioned in his later years. She was apparently very significant in his childhood development and particularly her death left a deep impression. Otto recalled that as a small child he crawled into bed with her or sat on her lap while she read history or religious books to him, regularly at least three times a week from the Bible. Her death in 1920 left a deep impression on Otto who was almost seven when she died of a stroke on Feb. 1. She had been bedridden. He described it this way. In the early evening hours he had gone to sleep in his own room. Then he awoke and saw her in midair beside him. It was not at all scary. She spoke of her love for him and that she was leaving him forever. She comforted him and assured him that they would meet again. Then she vanished. In the morning when his parents told him Grossmutter had died he was not disturbed and told them that he already knew. Otto insisted that this childhood experience was reality and not a dream or imagination. He explained that this was a major reason why he believed in a life beyond this one and also asserted that this played a part in leading to his interest and investigation in paranormal phenomena.

Grandparents on Otto's mother's side were Francis Senniger and Mary Erbe. There is little information about them available.

Francis Senniger was born in Basel , Switzerland . The family moved to the United States and settled in St. Louis . Francis attended Christian Brothers College . Family members were Roman Catholic and expected him to become a priest but he chose to develop and use his artistic interests and abilities. He went into the painting and decorating business. His specialties were murals, frescoes, landscapes. City directories from 1878 to 1894 list him as a painter and paperhanger. In 1900 he began the Senniger-Schmitt Wallpaper & Painting Co. in partnership with Otto F. Schmitt (father of Otto H.). He died in January of 1902.

Mary Elizabeth Erbe Senniger was born in St. Louis , perhaps in 1857. Her height was reported as five feet, weight 300 pounds. She died in 1907 or 1908. Otto never knew her.

Both Otto's' parents were exceptionally gifted, remarkable people who led fascinating lives. Each could warrant a separate book but only highlights can be given here. In summary toward the end of his life Otto often said: “I obeyed and respected my father. He was a remarkable man. I loved my mother. She was so unselfish, understanding, and competent.” “He insisted on being called ‘The Boss' in the business; she was very skilled at getting him to see things her way.” “She ‘Yessired' him into making decisions that she wanted all along.”

Otto Franz Johannes Schmitt was born Jan. 22, 1876 in West Seneca , New York , the seventh of nine children. As already mentioned, his father died in 1885 and subsequently his mother took all nine children to Red Bud, Illinois , and moved in with an older brother, Rev. Friedrich Schaller. Parsonages were large in those days Otto F. completed the sixth grade and then in 1888, at age 12, ran away from home. He made his way to St. Louis where he lived on his own and somehow survived and thrived. Details are not available as to where and how he lived but bits and pieces are known. Records show that he was confirmed in a Lutheran Church in St. Louis on April 14, 1889, at the typical age of 13. He was unusually gifted both mentally and physically. Of average height, he was very stockily and sturdily built. His hands were exceptionally large, arms and shoulders powerful. Quick thinking, determined, industrious, energetic, creative, honest, self-reliant. He lived among gypsies for a time. He held a variety of odd jobs, earned money to support himself in all sorts of ways. He loved all kinds of animals and seemed to have a special way with them. He kept all sorts of pets: dogs, canaries, snakes, cats, opossum, wolf, horses, and mockingbird. He would buy a wild horse for $5, break it and train it in several weeks, then sell it for $ 100. Someone gave him a baby timber wolf. He kept it and trained it like a dog, except it howled. As he became an older teen and young man his exceptional strength became obvious. He earned money putting on strong-man acts. A story is told demonstrating both his special love for dogs and his strength. Several older and larger teens were throwing a dog [Jacob Siler's dog named Dog Joe] into the Mississippi River , repeating this every time it emerged. Otto F. told them to stop or he would throw them in. They did it again and he did throw them into the water. Later he became middleweight amateur wrestling champion in Missouri . He worked as a painter, a paperhanger, a car salesman, etc. He worked for a catering company and then a bakery. By 1894, age 18, he had saved $ 5,000, enough to purchase a home for his mother in St. Louis . He became very skilled in the bakery business, learned recipes used by his employer and made plans to begin his own bakery business.

One of his sisters, however, introduced Otto F. to an attractive young woman whose back­ground was very different from his. Clara Senniger graduated from Central High School in 1895. She was offered a four year scholarship to Washington University - incredible for a woman at that time - but declined it in order to assist her father in his painting business. She was at1~acted to Otto F. but not to the bakery business. In 1900 Otto F. and Clara's father - Francis Senniger - formed a partnership that offered contracting services and called it the Senniger & Schmitt Wallpaper & Painting Co., located out of 3513 Nebraska in St. Louis . On June 6, 1900 Otto F. and Clara were married at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, then located at Juniata and California . Although Francis Senniger died in 1902 the business prospered. In 1904 Otto F. purchased a large building at 3257-59 California (at Utah ) on St. Louis ' Southside. The store including several other rooms occupied the first floor. There was a backyard with a two story shed for horses. Supplies such as oil and lye were stored in the backyard. Living quarters were on the second floor. There was also a basement and an attic.

The business thrived throughout the long life of Otto F. Schmitt, changing as necessary as the decades passed. Much hard work was involved, hours were long (6 AM to 9 PM), family commitment was vital. In 1917 contracting services were ended. The name was changed to South Side Wallpaper & Paint Co., both wholesale and retail supplies and equipment were sold. In 1950 the company became also a distributor of water based paints. It prepared its own wallpaper books for other dealers and paperhangers. The three or four employees who were not family members were treated as though they were. Several of them worked here for more than 40 and 50 years. The store was well known for quality of products, fair dealing, good counsel, fair and friendly service, and loyalty to customers and suppliers. Three generations of customers were retained even as three generations of family members continued the business. It was prosperous but no great wealth accumulated. A major reason was that Otto F. donated to various causes generously and delighted in helping people who needed a break. He sometimes simply cancelled debts owed him. He was active in the nearby Lutheran church and served for a number of years as treasurer of what was called Lutheran City Mission. If insufficient funds were available to pay full salaries for the chaplains he made up the difference himself. He also provided for the physical needs of various relatives when they came to need assistance.

Otto F. had a variety of interests and excelled in his specialties. He knew much about genetics without having studied the subject formally. He raised and sold canaries. He bred champion pigeons, went to national shows, and won a boxful of ribbons and flume rous silver cups. He bred champion Great Danes and traveled even to Germany to get the stock he wanted. He owned some of the first automobiles in St. Louis and later took pride in his new Chryslers. One of his employees got him interested in bowling. He learned it, later took part in sev­eral leagues, sponsored a team, bowled several 300 games himself, and won a tournament with a 776 series at age 72. He always enjoyed the outdoors, made frequent fishing trips, and took pride in catching muskies. He read magazines voraciously, made himself into an educated man who could converse with anyone. As a father at times he intentionally set up learning experiences for his children and he did allow them, particularly Otto Jr., considerable freedom to experiment and learn for themselves. At the same time his daughter once described him as “very strict and strong-minded.” In many respects he was clearly the head of the household, typical for a man of German culture of that time.

In midsummer of 1960 Otto F. suffered a stroke and died rather quickly on August 16.

Clara Louise Elizabeth Senniger Schmitt was born in St. Louis April 12, 1878. She was an only child, very talented, did well in school. As already noted she did so well that she was offered a four year scholarship but declined it in order to aid her father in his business. Throughout her life she seemed always to be thinking of others and putting them ahead of her­self. She proved to be a very capable busineswoman, working tirelessly as a partner with her husband, in effect making many decisions behind the scenes. Throughout most of the years a live-in housekeeper made it possible for her to be downstairs working in the store. She prepared supper on Tuesdays and Sundays. She made daily trips to butcher and grocery shops, at least weekly to the bakery.

Confirmed at nearby Holy Cross Lutheran Church in 1892 Clara consistently- demonstrated sincere Christian faith in many ways including special service within the church. First this was as a Sunday School teacher. Then at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church next door she became active in the Ladies Aid Society and soon became its president and stayed that for many years. She was a good leader, speaker, and organizer. She recognized the value of cooperative efforts and was instrumental in getting ladies' groups from various congregations to work together. She was convinced that women could accomplish more within and for the Lutheran Church as they were involved in more activities. She persistently sought the privilege of their being allowed to be of greater service. Not just cooking, raising money and hospitality but also visiting the sick and shut-ins, teaching the Scriptures, leading their own organization and so on. Patience, persistence, persuasion were gifts she used in a long, difficult process of getting some of the clergy to change their minds and give their approval. Women throughout the St. Louis area formed an organization. Clara was the leading force. Her organizing abilities, tact and kindness to all helped a great deal. Women's' groups in various cities began to work together. Since her denomination's head­quarters were in St. Louis Clara was more readily able to confer personally with its clergy leaders. Gradually approval was given. In 1942 the organizing convention was held and a national women s organization was on its way~ Clara was elected its first president and served for five years. One of her favorite Bible passages — Serve the Lord with gladness -became its motto. All of this activity meant much travel and many meetings and much work with all the joy and sorrow that went with it for Clara in addition to her daily work in the store and with the family. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League became a very large and significant organization.

Unlike her husband, Clara did not have exceptional health, vigor and strength. Some of what she accomplished was done by sheer determination. She was seriously ill with Erysipelas at the time she gave birth to her second child. She recovered but six weeks later suffered a serious case of Typhoid fever. Reportedly doctors gave up on her but her husband brought her fever down by putting a lot of ice on her. In later years she suffered from high blood pressure, occasional problems with gall bladder and kidney stones. A leg sore was very slow to heal. She died on June 10, 1950, of peritonitis from kidney stones, four days after their golden wedding anniversary.

Viola Clarice Frances Schmitt Young Meier, Otto's older sister, was born on Oct. 15, 1902, while her parents lived at 35l3A Nebraska in St. Louis . Viola was baptized Nov. 23, 1902, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and confirmed there April 16, 1916. She graduated from Garfield public elementary school June 18, 1915. On June 13, 1919 she graduated from Cleveland High School with a major in Business. Viola chose not to go on to college but rather to work for her parents in the family business in order that there would be enough money available far her brothers to attend college. She worked long hours in the store much of her life primarily as the Bookkeeper. On Dec. 2, 1925 she married Arthur Christian Young of Buffalo , New York , and moved to Buffalo . Five children were born in the course of the next five years: Arthur Frank; Alice; Kenneth; Edith and Harvey. Arthur Christian Young died of Strep throat on May 5, 1935 after a brief illness and Viola with her children moved back to St. Louis to live again at the family home.

Like her mother, Viola was industrious, energetic, determined, capable, self-giving, devoted to family and church. The sudden, unexpected death of her first husband thrust a difficult challenge upon her - caring for five children age's four to eight. She met that challenge resolutely and without complaint, undoubtedly with much prayer and with assistance from her parents. Her life revolved largely around family, work and church although she always enjoyed travel on vacation. She experienced a second personal tragedy in 1949 when her oldest daughter, Alice, was killed and her other daughter, Edith, seriously injured in an auto-truck accident. Later her life took another unexpected turn, this time a pleasant one. On Dec. 28, 1965, she married a retired Lutheran pastor, Rev. A.J.F. Meier. They had many more years of happy marriage than she expected. He lived until Mar. 22, 1986. Viola lived until Oct. 12, 1992, three days short of her ninetieth birthday. All through her life, wherever she was living, Viola maintained a vital Christian faith and expressed a positive outlook on life.

Francis Otto Schmitt, Otto's older brother, was born in St. Louis Nov. 23, 1903. He wrote an autobiography published in 1990 entitled “The Never Ceasing Search.” His book has many references to Otto and clearly indicates how significant each brother was for the other. Although weak and ill at birth - in fact, not expected to survive - Frank not only survived but grew to be very gifted physically as well as mentally. Athletic, strong, six feet tall with abundant energy and stamina, always determined to carry out his objectives. Like his older sister, Frank was baptized and confirmed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He remained an active Christian all his life although he later questioned some of the teachings of the church he was brought up in. He graduated from Garfield elementary school at age 12, and then attended Cleveland High School , graduating in Feb. of 1920. He accepted the goal his father had Set for him; namely, to become a medical doctor, preferably a surgeon. So Frank took the science curriculum in high school. He began the pre-medical program at Washington University in St. Louis in Sept. ~of 1920. Already as a freshman Frank impressed faculty members and was given special privileges. For example, Prof. Grave, head of the Zoology Dept., gave him a key to the building and opportunity to use equipment and conduct experi­ments. Many fortuitous experiences led him to become aquainted with such important scientists as Dr. Arthur Compton. Prof. Grave arranged for him to spend the summer after his junior year at Woods Hole in Mass. Here he studied physiology, experimented, met many distinguished scientists, had many experiences that proved to be formative for hi~ later academic/scientific life. Frank graduated from Washington University with an AB degree in 1924.

During the summer fo1lowing graduation Frank worked at the St. Louis Free Skin and Cancer Hospital . He was allowed use of a lab and did research regarding cells at the molecular level. He then entered the Washington University School of Medicine and did graduate work under such men as Dr. Joseph Erlanger and Dr. Herbert Gasser, both Nobel Prize winners. His focus now was on basic biomedical science. He took for credit all the courses required of M.D. degree candidates except the clinical ones. But he had decided to pursue a PhD from Washington University in early June of 1927.

Frank married Barbara Hecker of Boston on June 18, 1927. After the wedding Frank and Barbara moved to California . During the next year he did postdoctoral study and research in the chemistry department of the University of Southern California at Berkeley . Then they went overseas for his second year of postdoctoral work, first at University College in London . Then on to Germany and the Biological Institute of the Kaiser-Wilhelm Institute in Dahlem. Their first child, David, was born in Berlin May 8, 1929. In September of 1929 Frank began work in St. Louis as Assistant Professor of Zoology at Washington University . A new building had just been constructed for this department and Frank got a large lab and fine office for his use. Teaching and research in general physiology were his specialties. He became the Head of the Zoology Department. In the Spring of 1941 Frank accepted the invitation of President Karl Compton to go to Mass. Institute of Technology in Boston to head its Biology Department and to bring to that department the study of life science as close as possible to the molecular level. He pioneered in the use the electron microscope. In 1955 after M.I.T. gave Frank the unique position of Institute Professor he provided leadership in the development of the Neurosciences Research Program and a worldwide network of renowned scientists involved in it. Frank's accomplishments are too numerous to be listed here. It was a shock and great sorrow for him when Barbara died unexpectedly on June 1 of 1975. However, Frank continued to be a productive scientist for two more decades. He died Oct. 3, 1995, nearly 92 years of age.

Frank and his younger brother, Otto, were both brilliant, creative scientists who made many valuable contributions toward the welfare of humanity. Otto was almost ten years younger, only eleven years old when Frank first graduated from Washington University . Frank showed the way, opened many doors, and assisted Otto in many ways. In a 1991 interview Otto said:

“By following my brother he gave me access to a lot of things.” In the early Thirties the two collaborated on a number of projects and scientific papers. Frank made Washington U. lab facilities and equipment available to Otto already while his brother was a high school senior. Washington U. 's library was also available to Otto. In turn, Otto invented highly sophisticated equipment for Frank to use. Otto's strength in biophysics and Frank's in biochemistry's complemented one another remarkably. They worked together in various ways but after 1937 did not again collaborate in research. There was a touch of brotherly competit­iveness between them. Their paths crossed frequently and they maintained close contact. However in his later years Otto occasionally commented about Frank, “I will always be his kid brother.”

Other relatives are mentioned next in order to provide more complete information and particularly to note those who seemed significant in the life of Otto Herbert Schmitt.

Otto's father, Otto Franz Schmitt, had eight siblings.

Ida Bertha Wilhelmina Schmitt Wagner was born Aug. 13, 1864. She married Louis Wagner. They had a daughter named Edna who married an educator/clergyman, Herbert Moeller. Two children were born to them: Gerald and Marion.

Johannes Franz August Schmitt was born Dec. 17, 1865 in Frankenkirch , Illinois . John became a painter. He married Elizabeth Schoenhof and had nine children. He died April 30, 1937.

Franziska Anna Margaretha was born in Lisbon , Michigan , on Sept. 17, 1867. Tante (aunt) Frances never married. She owned a millinery store in Waterloo , Illinois , between St. Louis and Red Bud. She visited in St. Louis when Frank or Otto provided transportation. Frances sold her business in 1930 to care for an ailing sister-in-law in Red Bud. In 1947 she came to live in the large family home at California and Utah in St. Louis . She was very frail and dependent. In June of 1950 she moved to a convalescent home where she died Nov. 13, 1950.

Carl Gottlieb Martin Schmitt Smith was born Jan. 12, 1869, in West Seneca , New York . He was known to Otto and other family members as Uncle Doc. He grew up in Red Bud, earned an M.D. degree from Johns Hopkins University . A man who befriended him and helped finance his education insisted that he change his last name to Smith. Uncle Doc was a circuit riding family physician. Otto became a protégé of his, on Saturdays as a teenager accompanied him while making rounds from Waterloo to Chester . Uncle Doc was an excellent physician. Tie was married to Altha Backhaus, a woman of French ancestry who was a fine cook although she had little formal education. They had two daughters, Irene and Fern. Fern married a man named Davis , had a son Everett who became a clergyman. Altha died Nov. 8, 1931. Uncle Doc lived until Nov. 13, 1950.

Julie Hermine Carolina Theodora Schmitt Wahlmann was born Feb. 22, 1871, in West Seneca , New York . She was known as Tante (aunt) Julia. She married Heinrich Wahlmann. She had a reputation as a good cook and housekeeper. Uncle Henry was part owner of a bank in Red Bud. In the Great Depression of 1929 he lost everything financially; collapsed and lost his voice permanently. They came to live in St. Louis in her brother's large building, at 3257A California . Otto F. provided for them and treated him as an employee of South Side Wallpaper & Paint Co. even though his responsibilities were minimal. Julia and Henry had two sons named Herbert and Raymond. In 1935 they moved to a nearby residence on Nebraska Avenue . Henry died July 6, 1960 and Julia Feb. 4, 1963. Raymond Wahlmann died Mar. 26, 1980.

Bertha Auguste Louise Schmitt Hummelsheim was born June 16, 1873, in West Seneca , New York . She married Karl Hummelsheim. They lived in St. Louis and had four children. Carl died of high blood pressure. Herbert was killed in World War I. Clara remained single, had diabetes, was a friend as well as cousin of Viola Schmitt Young Meier. Edwin~ was born deaf. He married and had two hearing daughters, Carol and Betty.

Anna Margaretha Mithilda Schmitt was born Nov. 7, 1878 in St. Johannisburg , New York . Tante (aunt) Anna remained single. She lived in St. Louis and worked as a secretary and private practical nurse. An occasional visitor at the family home, she resided there for a time in her later years. Usually rather formal and proper, she also delighted in playing crude tricks on her brother, for example, unexpectedly pushing cake into the face of Otto F. She died July 18, 1957.

Martha Auguste Wilhelmine Marie Schmitt Henkel was born April 26, 1880 in St. Johannisburg,

New York . Aunt Martha married Theophile Henkel and lived in Cleveland , Ohio . They had two children, Adele and Charles. She died in December of 1959.

Clara Senniger Schmitt, Otto's mother, did not have any siblings. However, her mother had a brother and two sisters. They played a part in Otto's history.

Mary Elizabeth Erbe Senniger had a brother named George J. Erbe, born Aug. 14, 1870.

She had a sister named Elizabeth who married three times. She first became Elizabeth Fuchs and was called Tante (aunt) Lizzie also by Otto even though she was not really his aunt. Four children were born in her first marriage and are listed below. Her first husband was a brew master in Belleville , Illinois , and was killed by a runaway horse when a wagon overturned.

One of Elizabeth 's daughters, Clara, born Feb. 3, 1885, married a man named Hensgen and they had two children. John Hensgen was born April 14, 1911 and was very much a contemporary of Otto's. They were fairly close as teenagers. While “Johnnie” and Otto were both in high school theT, occasionally played tennis in Tower Grove Park . They also met sometimes for conversation in the attic of Otto's home. Religion was frequently the topic and they particularly compared Lutheran with Roman Catholic teachings. John later became a Roman Catholic Priest and maint~inecFdontact with Otto all his life. Clara's other child was a daughter named Lilbourne born March 5, 1915. She married Stan June 5, 1943.

A second daughter of Elizabeth 's was named Lillie. She was born Sept. 6, 1888, married Albert Preusser. They had one daughter, Rhoda Elizabeth, born Feb. 9, 1920. She married Sanders. Albert died Nov. 29, 1962. Lillie died in 1974.

Elizabeth 's third daughter was named Katherine but always called Kate. Kate married a Lutheran clergyman named Adolph Krueger and lived in Buffalo , New York , where for decades he served a congregation that became large and prominent. They had five sons: Theodore, a steel worker; Robert, a railroad fireman; Harold, a medical doctor; Walter, a mechanic; and Roy, a salesman. Adolph died Nov. 17, 1975.

After the death of her first husband Elizabeth Erbe Fuchs married a man named Kinsley. However, he died six months later.

Elizabeth married once more, this time a man whose last name was Brachat. They lived at 3441 California . This marriage lasted 25 years. One daughter, Cleo, was born who died at the age of fourteen. It was during these years that Tante Lizzie did laundry for the Schmitt's and scrubbed the floor of the store every Saturday. Every Saturday she also brought over an orange cake that she had just baked. Three generations have had fond memories of devouring sweet orange cake every week.

Mary Elizabeth Erbe Senniger's other sister was named Ricka Yahn. She had a daughter, Anne Diederich, who in turn had a daughter whose married name was Dorothy Roedder, born Aug. 16, 1921.

Nephews and nieces of Otto will be listed here for the sake of completeness. Otto himself had no children. These are the children of his sister and brother.

Children of his sister Viola, all born in Buffalo : Arthur Frank Young, born Nov. 25, 1926; Alice Ruth Young, born March 23, 1928, died on Sept. 18, 1949; Kenneth Robert Young, born Aug. 23, 1929; Edith Claire Young Dougherty DeClue and Harvey Ray Young, both born Sept. 14, 1930.

Children of his brother Frank: David Francis, born in Berlin May 8, 1929, died Jan. 26, 1953; Robert Hecker, born in St. Louis Nov. 6, 1931; Marion Elizabeth Schmitt Ellis, born Dec. 3l936.

CHAPTER TWO 1913 to 1930 FROM BIRTH TO UNIVERSITY
In 1913 all sorts of activities were taking place on the northwest corner of California and Utah in south St. Louis. Senniger & Schmitt Wallpaper & Painting Co. was prospering. Customers came and went anytime between 6 AM and 9 PM. Proprietors Otto F. and Clara Schmitt were diligently managing their growing business, selling supplies and equipment, providing contracting services in papering and painting. Otto F. hired men and sent them out to work. A horse-drawn paint wagon was used to make deliveries. Streets were dirt. Gas lights provided illumination at night. There was no electricity. Fifty pound blocks of ice were delivered several times a week and put in the ice box. Coal and wood were used for heating. Telephones were one convenience present.

The Schmitt's owned both 3259 and 3257 California . Both lots extended from California Ave. west perhaps 150 feet to the alley, a half block. There was one large building covering the front portion of both lots. A wall in the middle of the building separated 3259 from 3257. On the lower level of 3259, at the corner and along Utah Street , one large, long room served as the store. Toward the rear was an open section set up to serve as the main office. Farther back was another section used as a general work area. A washroom was located to the side. In back was an open yard as well as a two story shed for the horses. On the lower level of 3257 there were three good sized rooms plus another smaller room used for various purposes in different years. The front two rooms of 3257 were rented out, for example, as a beauty shop or dental offices. Two sets of nineteen stairs led from California Ave. up to the second floor of each address.

Living quarters were on the second floor for each address. 3259 had four large rooms plus a good-sized kitchen, a bath, and a small room where the live-in housekeeper stayed. One of the spacious rooms served as dining room, fully equipped with a large, expandable table, large buffets, china closet, etc. 3257 had four rooms plus a bath, also a smaller room suitable as a bedroom. The upper level of 3257 was rented out to tenants or used by relatives.

There was a large attic above all the rooms of 3259 and the front room of 3257. There were full basements beneath each address.

In the Spring of 1913 father Otto F. was 37 years old, mother Clara was 35, both very active with their business, involvement with the Lutheran Church , relatives and their own family. Daughter Viola was eleven, completing sixth grade at Garfield School five blocks away. Son Frank was ten and finishing fifth grade at Garfield .

Otto Herbert Arnold Schmitt - called Junior by his parents - was born April 6 of 1913. Unlike his older brother he was healthy at birth, weighed twelve pounds, and was large for his age throughout childhood and his teen years. The Arnold part of his name appears on his Baptismal certificate but Otto disliked it and never used it. It has a traitorous ring, he once explained. He was baptized by Rev. Louis Buchheimer at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on April 27, 1913. Sponsors were Miss Katherine Fuchs, Miss Anna Schmitt and Mr. Herbert Wahlmann.

As a small child Otto often sat on the lap of Grossmutter while she read to him from the Bible, history or other books. Occasionally in later years Otto recalled her with fondness, commenting on how close he felt to her and what a major impact her death had upon him.

Otto once reported that he conducted his first science experiment at age four. His mother kept 20 goldfish in an aquarium. Otto's job was to clean it. One of the fish was black. Little Otto thought perhaps this was the one that made the water dirty. So he took the black one out and separated it in order to test his hypothesis.

As a child, according to Otto and undoubtedly true, he was always into all sorts of mischief and there were ample opportunities. His sister has written about some of her activities as a child such as putting kittens into her toy washing machine. When she was seven a doctor came to operate at home and remove her tonsils. She was asked to lie on a table to begin the procedure. She did as she had warned, called for the Great Dane which leaped through a window and raced to her rescue. A door was quickly closed and successful surgery proceeded. Already as a child Otto was exploring everything possible, particularly to see how things worked. One can only imagine how lively the family life was and all the antics that must have gone on.

Just as sister and brother before him, little Otto walked the five blocks to Garfield elementary school at Jefferson and Wyoming . Here he went from kindergarten through eighth grade, September of 1919 to January of 1926.

In the course of a talk he gave in 1991 Otto told of a childhood experience in 1920. His father took him along to New York City , probably on a business trip. He rode on the subway for a nickel; he got to see Coney Island . A quarter into machines brought a whole meal. They went to the Ziegfield Follies. It was very educational. He had never seen females dancing with so little clothing. He heard Will Rogers speaking and watched him twirl his lariat.

As already mentioned, Otto's father was knowledgeable and skillful, accustomed to doing all sorts of things for himself. He intentionally helped his children to follow his example. Already at age five Otto was taught how to paint. Later on he was tau 3 ht such skills as carpentry, paper hanging, welding, auto repair, electrical work such as building transformers, and so on. He was allowed to experiment and encouraged to do so. He had the freedom to learn by trial and error. All kinds of tools, equipment, supplies and materials were available to him. Not only his father but also his older brother assisted and encouraged in this.

And there was another unique person who has his own story and who played a very significant role in the life of Otto H. Schmitt.

Jacob Siler was born in Suncburghlee , Germany , in 1846. He came to the United States , enrol1ed in the Illinois Volunteers as a Private on Aug. 2, 1861. In the course of the Civil War he became a spy for the Union and apparently rendered outstanding service. He lost an arm in battle and was discharged on Aug. 30, 1864. Details are not available but Siler became a learned man, knowledgeable in many fields, an expert photographer. He was the publisher of Siler's Historic Photos and one of three men recognized for good portrait photography in the St. Louis area, around the turn of the century. He accumulated a large library of books on all subjects and hundreds of plates of excellent photographs of impor­tant buildings, landscapes, people, and so on. He remained single all his life, lived a very frugal life. He had a special love for dogs.

This man, Jacob Siler, was sitting beneath Eads Bridge beside the Mississippi River , perhaps about 1890, when teenaged Otto F. Schmitt encountered older youths throwing a dog into the river. He heard Otto warn them not to throw the dog in again. He witnessed their taunting response and then Otto's reaction. He was impressed when Otto threw them in. He introduced himself and he and Otto F. became good friends and apparently met often after that. Again, details are not available but Siler became more and more an invalid and Otto F. befriended him the rest of his life. Otto F. was named Trustee of Siler's assets and received some money and all the photo plates when Siler died at the age of 79 on July 8, 1925. Siler was buried with full honors at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in St. Louis . Otto F. was entrusted with the care of Siler's Dog Joe and a seven page set of instructions for Joe's care and future burial.

The story of Siler is important here because Siler became very significant in Otto Junior's life. There is little reference to Frank and Siler. But Jacob Siler obviously took special interest in Otto even though Siler was 67 when Otto was born. It is likely he observed the unique abilities and promise in this precocious child and perhaps his circumstances at the time were such that he could give him special attention.

The year is not definite - Otto was seven, eight, nine, or ten - but Siler sent the boy an invitation by postcard that he “would welcome your presence to discuss scientific and philosophical topics.”' Otto and his parents agreed. On many Saturday afternoons at 3 PM from then on Otto went to Siler's little run-down home at 1006 Seventh Street . There they discussed all sorts of topics. There was a different theme each week. Siler taught Otto photography including how to take pictures, develop them, make plates, etc. Siler taught Otto all about microscopes, explained how to use one and then gave him an old one he no longer wanted. When Otto was nine or ten Siler taught him how to use a rotary rheotome and saline pads, applying them to the place where Siler's arm had been amputated, to relieve phantom limb pains. Today this is called transcutaneaus electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Siler once talked about money and savings and then gave Otto a $ 100 bond if he would be willing to take it home and begin a savings account. They discussed chemistry, physics, religion, one subject after another. Siler fed Otto information about all sorts of things; perhaps more important, he stimulated his curiosity even more regarding the world about him. As an adult Otto was still continually asking penetrating questions, with an open mind probing, searching for explanations, wanting to be convinced and then going on to the next subject. Jacob Siler played a vital part in Otto's childhood development although he dealt with him only a few years as a child. Otto was only twelve when Siler died in 1925. But Siler's will directed that Otto be given the first choice and be allowed to select one hundred books from Siler's library. Otto kept some of these books all his life as well as many photo plates and other memorabilia or artifacts.

Learning's directly taught by Siler and indirectly by brother Frank helped Otto get into more mischief than most boys his age, certainly more complex and sophisticated. Always curious, always fun-loving, always ready to experiment, Otto had some hilarious childhood escapades. Several examples follow. Probably the first one happened when Otto was 8. Siler had introduced him to electricity. Frank, now in college, talked at the dinner table about how muscles could be stimulated electrically. Otto obtained an auto spark coil. He had what he called a lab underneath the kitchen table. A customer occasionally brought in rabbits for the Schmitt's to eat. Uncle John skinned them in the kitchen. Then Carrie Schnell, the housekeeper, prepared and cooked them. The day came when Otto was in his lab; Uncle John skinned the rabbits and left them on the table for Carrie. Otto wired an electrical connection. Carrie came to work on the rabbits. Otto threw the switch, made the connection. Electricity does stimulate The dead rabbit jumped: Carrie jumped Presumably Otto ran. Otto was fascinated with electricity all his life, always ready to experiment with it, eager for learnings for himself and others.

Not only electricity but chemicals fascinated him as well. Miss McWiggin was his fifth grade teacher. She insisted that all the boys participate in softball games. Otto was not athletic; He usually missed if he swung hard. If he swung slowly he could hit the hail. Siler had taught him some chemistry. Frank had brought home a book on chemistry. Otto read about such things as nitroglycerin and gunpowder and adhesives. Somewhere he found the chemicals needed. He applied them to the bat. Miss McWiggin was umpiring in the field. We have been told that the ball exploded off Otto's bat and hit her in the stomach.

Frank had his own room and Otto would be sent to awaken him. “He was a dangerous guy to wake up.” Otto rigged up an electrical connection. He learned how to wake up his brother and still keep his distance.

He enjoyed setting up an electrical connection in the garage so that when the family fox terrier rubbed against a certain place it got a shock.

“The Wonders of Wireless” was a Siler book that naturally interested Otto. He read about using Tesla coils and building a wireless radio set. He used spark coils and other items from here and there. Used springs from defective window shades from his parents' store helped him improvise an antenna. A wire and pulley enabled him to tune in the station he wanted.

Tesla was a favorite writer. Otto loved to tell a story about an experiment he conducted using information learned from Tesla. The year is uncertain; most likely sometime between 1925 and 1923. Otto used a Tesla coil, built a variable condenser, and could produce 100,000 volt sparks. He rigged up a non-conducting platform using glass milk bottles, boards and a wooden chair. He had learned what chemicals to put on his hands to avoid burns. He set up the platform in a dark room, sat on the chair, threw a switch, made a connection and electricity passed harmlessly through him but sparks three and four inches long came out his fingers and ears and his hair stood on end. Otto found this entertaining. One day his mother happened to come into the dark room just as her son was lit up. She fainted.

Unfortunately, there is not a complete record of all Otto's childhood exploits, all he experienced as he came toward graduation from the eighth grade in January of 1926. Some of life was not all that unusual. The children including Otto went to Sunday School and worship services. There were family outings and trips to the movies and for shopping. There was much visiting of relatives and of relatives visiting at 3259A California . All the holidays were celebrated. There was always plenty of good food on the table. Otto F. who had known hunger was determined that his children would not. Pets were plentiful. There were magnificent Great Danes and champion pigeons for many years. Father and Mother were constantly busy with the ever-growing business, their church and recreational activities, and family life and so on. Some important events should be noted. Sister Viola graduated from high school in 1919 when Otto was six. She worked in the store six years, and then married Arthur C. Young on Dec. 2, 1925, left home to live in Buffalo when Otto was twelve. Brother Frank graduated from high school in 1920 when Otto was seven. He graduated from Washington University in 1924 when Otto was eleven, then worked and was well into medical school and graduate study when Otto graduated from Garfield School in January of 1926, almost thirteen years old.

Already as a child Otto was always curious and asked all sorts of questions seeking explanations and understanding. He was concerned about testing, measuring, verifying, convincing himself, pursuing what he regarded more definitive answers. lie was taught to be discerning, critical and open to all sorts of possibilities. This was true not only in subjects of science but others as well whether history, religion, philosophy or any subject. As a child he regularly attended Sunday School. As a Lutheran child he was also sent to catechism or confirmation classes. He was confirmed into full membership at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Louis on March 28, 1926 by Pastor Louis Buchheimer, a good friend of the family. In ~later years Otto spoke critically of Rev. Buchheimer. He referred to class sessions when Rev. Buchheimer did not answer questions to Otto s satisfaction or when Otto pointed out what he considered contradictions in what was being taught. Otto considered Rev. Buchheirner to be too dogmatic although he retained respect for him. On the other hand, he thought highly of clergy whom he considered to be broadminded, willing to listen and discuss and not insist that they “knew it all.” Dr. Walter A Maier Sr., founder of The Lutheran Hour, visited the family frequently in later years and was emphatically in this category.

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More information is available regarding Otto's life beyond elementary school. Frank's book is helpful although it has some inaccuracies in details. Viola wrote several pages describing her childhood. Notes were written from conversations with her. Otto himself kept logs of some trips he made during these years. He also kept several incomplete diaries in 1931. A 1929-1934 Diary his mother kept is especially helpful. Sister Viola kept many diaries from 1934 on. We have many oral comments as well as tapes from Otto in his later years. Some does and some does not match other accounts. Of course family members have many recollections and various written items, and so on. And many family members have taken many photographs. Most of these have been kept and some are identified. Beyond all this, voluminous correspondence was preserved not to mention documents, news clippings, class notes, manuscripts, tapes, artifacts and memorabilia that literally fill rooms.

Otto's educational history is clear from a personnel security questionnaire he himself filled out in 1942 for a new employer, the United States of America :

Garfield School , St. Louis 62~ years graduated January 1926
Roosevelt High School , St. Louis 4 years
Washington University , St. Louis 4 years, A.B. 1934
Washington University , St. Louis 3 years, Ph.D. 1937

On this form he carefully left blank the space about graduating from high school although he stated that he attended four years. Apparently he never received a high school diploma. He clearly shows that he attended Washington University seven years, earning his AB in four years and PhD in three years. Graduation diplomas attest to that.

1926 was a significant year for the three children of Otto and Clara Schmitt. Viola resided in Buffalo , New York , with her husband, Arthur C. Young. On Nov. 25 she gave birth to their first child, Arthur Frank Young. Frank, now 23, was in Washington University Medical School doing graduate work. He attended a world-wide conference on Physiology in Stockholm in June.

Unlike Viola and Frank who had attended Cleveland High School , Otto began his high school study at Roosevelt High School in 1926. Roosevelt was newer and closer, less than a mile from home. Thirteen year old Otto walked to school, evidently made the transition from grade to high school with no difficulty. It is not clear whether he immediately went on to high school upon graduating from Garfield in January or began at Roosevelt in September.

1927 brought changes particularly for Frank and their spillover affected Otto's personal life. In June Frank completed graduate study and received his PHD in Physiology from Washington University . Ten days later, June 18, he married Barbara Hecker and left for six weeks in Massachusetts and then postdoctoral study in California . That freed the room that had been Frank's in the family home. Fourteen year old Otto immediate' moved in, undoubtedly glad to do so. He later told with obvious pleasure how he redid the room and modernized it. Presumably this included installing all sorts of electrical equipment, wireless radios, loudspeakers and who knows what. Opportunities for experimentation expanded.

Early in 1928 - March 23 - Otto's sister Viola gave birth to her second child in Buffalo and named her Alice Ruth. During 1928 Frank went on from California to London and then Berlin during his second year of postdoctoral study. Otto pursued his student years at Roosevelt High. His adventures and experiments continued. A little notebook of his dated August, 1928, describes a number of chemistry experiments he conducted. In the fall Otto was either beginning or completing his third year at Roosevelt High.

Clara Schmitt's diary, Frank's book and various other sources provide ample information for 1929. Otto Junior accompanied his parents on automobile trips to Buffalo and Cleveland in January, late May and the end of August. They visited Viola and her growing family in Buffalo , Aunt Martha and Theo Henkel in ~Cleve1and. Otto F. went to occasional pigeon shows and dog shows. Clara and Otto could talk about two grandsons born this year. David was born May 8 in Berlin to Frank and Barbara. Kenneth was born Aug. 23 in Buffalo to Arthur C. and Viola. Another highlight of the year was a ten week vacation by ship to Europe .

Sixteen year old Otto Junior and his parents sailed out of New York June 4, landed in London a week later. They spent a week in London seeing the major sights, crossed the Channel, took another week traveling by train to Berlin sightseeing in Belgium and Holland along the way. Twenty six year old Frank was at this time doing postdoctoral study at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute. He and Barbara, plus new-born David, met the travelers in Berlin . Ample time was spent visiting the Institute where Frank was doing his research. Naturally Junior was very impressed. The tourists inspected one attraction after another and went on to more than twenty cities. They saw such Luther locations as Wittenberg and Eisenach . On July 15 they saw “Grandma's old house” in Kirchenlamitz. Otto F. made sure he also saw pigeons and Great Danes in Fulda . The German Museum in Munich was a “most wonderful place to Junior.” The Schmitt's went on to brief visits in Austria , Italy and Switzerland . On Aug. 9 they left by ship via the North Sea and landed in New York Aug. 18. Frank, Barbara and David were on board too and returned with them. So they spent a week in Boston . Mean­while Kenneth had been born in Buffalo Aug. 23~ So on the 26th all the Schmitt's stopped in Buffalo to see this newest attraction. They returned safely to St. Louis on Aug. 31.

Fall, 1929, was eventful indeed. In September Frank began his work as Assistant Professor of Zoology at Washington University . He had large laboratory facilities with which to work plus a spacious office. It was most helpful for his younger brother, now a senior in high school. Otto took full advantage of the opportunity to use some of Frank's lab space and equipment as well as access to the university library which he got through his brother.

Several amusing and instructive high school experiences of Otto may have occurred prior to 1929. It is more likely that they occurred in the school year beginning in September of 1929 when Frank was on the Washington U. faculty. Otto took a physics course with a Mr. Ludwig who was “dictatorial and had preconceived notions.” Otto questioned Ludwig's state­ments regarding effects of the earth s magnetic field, debated with him but could not prevail. So Otto built a transformer and demonstrated experimentally something Ludwig said could not be done. By reading and experiments Otto “played tricks” on Mr. Ludwig, enjoying chances to show him up. Otto got along well with a Mr. Katterhenry, his chemistry teacher. Otto would read in Frank's books and Katterhenry allowed him to test his readings in class. All went well except for the ~day Otto created a skunk-like stench. Otto had three friends whom he called his lab assistants: Jerome Buddenbaum, Ernest Sheurman and Elio Roman. (In 1998 Jerome learned of Otto's death and came to his internment in St. Louis on Jan. 13, 1998:)

Dr. Herbert Gasser and Dr. Joseph Erlanger were noted professors under whom Frank had done graduate work and knew him now as a fellow faculty member. Both taught physiology. Frank introduced high school senior Otto to them. Dr. Gasser let Otto do experiments in his lab. Otto later built a cathode ray tube for Dr. Gasser to use. On another occasion Dr. Gasser needed a ride home from the university. Otto provided it with an old vehicle he kept going by improvisations. Otto earned occasional spending money by rewiring burnt out cars.

It was some time during these months that Otto s automobile work proved very valuable. Frequently on Saturdays Otto drove to Red Bud. He accompanied Uncle Doc as he made his rounds calling on patients. (Otto later said that he learned much chemistry and medicine from Uncle Doc and cooking from his wife Altha.) One day they traveled a long distance away to see a woman who had phoned for help. Otto was showing off a car he had just “souped up” so they went in his vehicle. When they arrived Uncle Doc quickly determined that the woman was pregnant and going into difficult labor. The woman had described only general symptoms, did not realize that she was pregnant and so Uncle Doe had not taken his obstetric equipment. Otto was able to race back to the office in his powerful ear, grab what was needed and race back in time. All turned out well.

Dr. Lee DuBridge, later a president of Cal. Tech., was a Washington University physicist who became acquainted with Otto at this time. He also allowed Otto into his lab. Here Otto built an ultraviolet activated Geiger Counter. Its purpose was to determine whether a nerve emits light when it is stimulated.

Charles Lindbergh was another famous person with whom Otto became acquainted. He had made his solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927. Otto met him through distant cousin Ray Wahlmann, son of Henry and Julia Wahlmann. Ray was active with the Air Force Auxiliary Rescue base in St. Louis and so was Lindbergh and so they had come to know one another. Otto s meeting Lindbergh nay have helped stimulate Otto s subsequent interest in flying and in space.

Clara's diary makes little reference to Otto throughout 1930. Both Clara and Otto F. were very much involved with their business. Clara was more and more active in work with women's organizations within the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod. In November of 1929 she had been one of sixteen women from various parts of the country meeting in St. Louis , attempting to organize nationally. On~ Jan. 18, 1930, she was elected temporary president of the committee planning this. Her husband was very active in raising and showing pigeons. He was president of a national pigeon organization. There were, of course, family meals with various relatives, occasional outings and trips out of town, such recreation as attending the symphony and going on picnics. Both Otto F. and Clara went bowling. In October they traveled to Buffalo to see their newest grandchildren, Edith and Harvey, born to Viola on September 14.

The impression given is that in his senior year at high school Otto did less and less with his parents 1 as would be expected. He attended church once in a while. He largely went his own way, completing his school work, reading broadly, going through the doors his brother opened for him at Washington University , experimenting extensively, even implementing inventions.

On June 4, Clara's diary notes, Otto was busy taking exams for Washington University . Frank's book asserts that Otto took a special examination that won him advanced standing after being tutored a short time. Definitive evidence as to exactly what happened is not at hand. It is clear that Otto was given an A.B. degree from Washington University in June of 1934 after four years of study.

September 13, 1930, was Otto's first day as a student at Washington University .