BERNARD J. SCHMIDT FAMILY
Ties to Naperville/Lisle

By Jennifer Testin, 2001 Graduate of Hinckley-Big Rock, Big Rock, Illinios

My ancestors are ties to the Naperville/Lisle area through my mother Debbie Testin (Schmidt). Her father was Bernard J. Schmidt of Naperville. My grandpa Bernard lived in Naperville all of his life, born and raised there, and in 1994, he passed away. As a teenager, my grandfather worked on a farm but never farmed himself. He often spoke of the Schwartz Farm, but since his death we have found no further information. He spoke of Anna Schmidt whose maiden name was Schwartz. Anna was a daughter of one of the original Schwartz family members that came to farm in the Naperville/Lisle area in 1846. There were 25 original families that came together to finance building the first Catholic Church called St. Raphael Parish which today is called Ss. Peter and Paul Church of Naperville. The Schwartz family was one of those 25 families.

On June 4, 1922, a fire broke out in Ss. Peter and Paul Church. The pastor at the time was the Reverand B.J. Schuette. When Fr. Schuette opened the doors of the church, the fire had reached the sanctuary at the East End of the building. Nothing from the main part of the building could be saved. The sanctuary, paintings, alters and church furnishings were destroyed, but the Sacristy was unharmed. The steel tabernacle in the high altar was removed from the basement after the fire, along with chalices and monstrance. Until the rebuilding of the church, which was finished almost five years later, Sunday Mass was held in Wenker Hall.

In the rebuilding of the church, my grandpa’s family was very generous in gifts and memorials. My grandpa’s father, Bernard J. Schmidt, Sr., donated the statue of St. Peter. My grandpa’s uncle, Carl A. Schmidt, donated St. Paul. John A. and Anna Schmidt, my grandpa’s grandparents, donated the baptismal font and the wood frames around the Stations of the Cross. His grandparents also were instrumental in donating the Communion railing in memory of Joseph and Margaretha Schmidt who were grandpa’s great grandpa and grandma. The next donation came from the brothers and sister of Anna Schmidt (Grandpa’s grandmother) who were William, Frank, and Hattie Schwartz. They donated the high altar in memory of Ferdinand and Magdelena Schwartz who were their parents.

If you never have been to Ss. Peter and Paul Church, it is located on Ellsworth Street. It is not only beautiful to see, but it has an extra special meaning in knowing that my grandpa’s past generations had such a deep faith and also partook in the spirit of sacrifice in the rebuilding of this church.

Over the past 17 years, agriculture has become a large part of my life. It stems from my father with growing corn, soybeans and wheat. When I was seven years old, I started showing pigs in open show at the county fairs. At the age of eight I was old enough to join 4-H. I am still actively involved in 4-H; I have held an office with my 4-H Club for all but three years. I have stayed with showing pigs for the past 10 years. Throughout these years I have increased my project in numbers and have raised the quality of pigs. It has been through 4-H that I have learned that it takes a business side of a person to raise livestock efficiently and to try to acquire top dollar when it is time to ship them.

In 1997, I joined the FFA where I have managed to become a great leader with the organization. I have been a member throughout all four years of high school. I started holding an office my sophomore year as Chapter Sentinel and I have recently finished out my senior year as Chapter President and Section Vice-President. I have been awarded great leadership awards from my chapter, section and community. As the chapter’s annual banquet, I was recognized for my hard work in organizing and preparing the banquet. I was also given the Outstanding Eagle Award. I have participated in many contests at the Section, District and State levels, anywhere from Crops to the Public Speaking contest. With having accrued experience throughout the years of high school, it has helped to make my decision of going to Agriculture management and sales easier.


11/01