#edward schmidt

To the people of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Edward Arthur Schmidt was a man of mystery. He lived a quiet, and what many of his neighbors would describe as reclusive, life alone during his eighty-four years. After serving in the World War I, Schmidt attended Des Moines’ Drake University of Law, where he obtained his degree. He worked tirelessly over the next fifty years in his practice, as well as multiple investments in stocks and real estate, to create himself a fortune, and by 1972 he was worth $1.5 million dollars. The man scrounged and saved any penny he got his hands on. His excessive frugality, paired with his peculiar and often rude personality, left many of the people of Oskaloosa feeling like they had their own real-life Ebenezer Scrooge within their community. When he was willing to get in touch with his more frivolous side, Schmidt would put some money towards his hobbies. He enjoyed collecting coins and stamps, and had build up a substantial inventory by the time of his death.

It was another bitter winter for Iowa in 1972. The New Year had just begun, and Glenn Upton, one of the few people allowed into Schmidt’s personal life, was concerned for his friend. He had become somewhat of a personal driver for Schmidt and often drove the elderly man in town for his errands. On January 13th Upton dropped the elderly lawyer off at a house that Schmidt sectioned off into apartments, with the basement being converted into his law office. When he returned later that afternoon to pick up Schmidt for the usual grocery run, Upton found a simple, handwritten note from the old man, saying that he had already gone home. He left without giving the note a second thought. Days would pass by before Upton became concerned. A tenement of the apartment called him to say that they were unable to get a hold of Schmidt to fix a broken furnace. Worried, notified Dave Reese, the county’s sheriff, and together they headed over Schmidt’s office for a check-in.

Edward Schmidt was found slumped over, stashed away under his desk. His face was beaten and he had been stabbed a total of four times. One of those fatal wounds was to the heart. At the age of eighty-five, Edward Arthur Schmidt had been murdered. His violent death came as a shock to the community of Oskaloosa. While the victim could not be described as a practically well-liked man, he was old and quite frail. Schmidt used a cane or a wheelchair to get around after losing a leg after being severely burned. It had to be replaced with an artificial one. People could not understand how someone that was nearly defenseless meet such a violent end.

As investigators searched through the office, it became apparent that Schmidt’s money had not been a motive. Over $116 of un-chased checks remained. His wallet was empty, but according to Upton, that was far from unusual. The frugal millionaire refused to carry cash, and opted to make all of his payments, no matter how small, through the forms of checks. What Schmidt did carry in his wallet was his will. That was the piece of property that went missing.

Three years after his death, Schmidt’s estate was finally split. Much of his fortune went to family members, including his niece and nephew. His long-time friend, George Upton, received a total of $37,500 after compromising with the court when his original request of $150,000, most of it stemming from decades’ worth of well documented services he provided for Schmidt, was denied. The University of Drake made a demand a share for Schmidt’s money, as he had promised to donate $10,000 in his last known will, which was from 1917. In the end, they were awarded $250,000.

Artist: Edward Schmidt

Edward Schmidt, father to Jack

Edward Schmidt

"Conversation"

Oil on Linen

39 x 43 Inches