Painting from the Thirty Years’ War depicting violence against a rural farm family—experiences similar to those the ancestors of the Schmieder and Beck families may have faced during the conflict’s widespread devastation (1618–1648).

Geroldsecker-Waffenschmiede, Seelbach, Germany — historic weapons and blacksmith workshop.

Maria Elizabetha Himmelsbach, second great paternal aunt of George Schmieder, who immigrated to America in the 1840s, with her husband Johannes George Haller.

Reichenbach, Germany, and St. Stephen’s Church — birthplace of George Schmieder.

Georg Schmieder (1865–1954) and Maria Anna Schüle-Schmieder (1872–1927) — parents of George Schmieder.

Anna Finkenzeller-Schüle (1845–1934) — maternal grandmother of George Schmieder.

Zipperhof — the Schmieder family farm in Reichenbach, Germany, and birthplace of George Schmieder.

Zipperhof, Reichenbach, Germany — the Schmieder family homestead and birthplace Zipperhof, Reichenbach, Germany — the Schmieder family homestead and birthplace of George Schmieder.of George Schmieder.

Xaver Schmieder, pictured in German military uniform during World War I.

Schmieder brothers — Xaver and Georg Schmieder in German military uniforms during World War I.

George Schmieder is pictured here in his German World War I military uniform during the war years (1914–1918).

St. Martin’s Church, Freiburg, Germany — site of the marriage of George Schmieder and Rosa Beck, November 7, 1920.

Rosa Beck and Georg Schmieder, photographed prior to their marriage in 1920.

Der Schweizerhof, Wagenhausen bei Saulgau, c. 1905. The farm-resturant-Inn that George and Rosa Schmieder purchased in 1920

St. Gallus Church, Wagenenhausen/Bolstern, Germany — home parish of George and Rosa (1920–1922) and baptismal church of Hilda Schmieder.

Radolfzell, Germany, on Lake Constance—birthplace of Fred Schmieder in 1922, with a view of the cathedral where he was baptized

Rosa Beck-Schmieder (Passport picture 1924)

The Beck Sisters — Rosalia Beck (later Schmieder), Magdalena Beck, and Theresia Beck (later Kautz)

SS Yorck — passenger ship that carried George Schmieder to America, November 1923.

Wilhelm and Amelia Pfaff with their children — whose generosity in sponsoring George Schmieder’s immigration helped shape his family’s future.

Passport photograph, 1924 — Rosa (Beck) Schmieder with Arnold on her lap; Friedrich to her right and Hilda to her left.

SS Bremen. Passenger ship that carried Rosa, Hilda, Fred, and Arnold to America in December 1924.

St. Jerome Hospital, Batavia, New York. c. 1920s. Site of treatment for Fred Schmieder following severe scald burns.

Wedding photograph of Louise Willman and Xaver Schmieder, 1926, with Maria Anna Schüle-Schmieder, Xaver’s mother.

Schmieder Family Photograph — first row (left to right): George Jr., Hilda, Fred, and Arnold; second row (left to right): Benny Feist (hired hand), Albert Beck (Rosa’s brother), Rosa Schmieder, Paul, George Schmieder, and Max Rauscher (friend) - circa 1928

Schmieder children, c. 1926 — left to right: Arnold, Hilda, and Fred; seated: George.

Schmieder Homestead, Alexander, New York — as it appeared before the Schmieder family acquired the property.

Schmieder Homestead, Alexander, New York — as it appeared before the Schmieder family acquired the property.

Schmieder Farm, Alexander, New York — hand-colored photograph from the early 20th century, showing the original side barn and the later front addition before the Schmieder family acquired the farm in 1928.

Schmieder Homestead, Alexander, New York — hand pump at the well, circa 1930s.

Henry Vollmer (hired man, Magdalena Beck, George Schmieder, Rosa (Beck) Schmieder

Magdalena Beck, Rosalia Beck-Schmieder, and Theresia Beck-Kautz, circa mid-1930s

Wreckage from the April 1930 plane crash near Attica, where all three men aboard were killed.

Attica Prison Construction, circa 1931

George Schmieder — passport photograph, 1948.

George and Rosa Schmieder

Jakob Beck (1852–1928), father of Rosa Beck-Schmieder, Albert Beck, Theresia Beck-Kautz, and Magdalena Beck; photographed in Prussian military service

Albert Beck (Rosa Beck-Schmieder's Brother) - Alexander "Benny" Feist (Hired man)

Left to right: Herbie, Paul, George, Arnold, and Fred, with Paul Schmieder (George Schmieder Sr.’s brother) and George Schmieder, Sr. The family’s German Shepherd, Nora, stands nearby. 1954

Max Rauscher (Family Friend)

Otto and Frieda Berger (family friends)

Paul Schmieder (George Schmieder’s brother, visiting from Germany)

Paul Schmieder with his uncle, Paul Schmieder (George Schmieder’s brother, visiting from Germany), and George Schmieder. 1954

Theresia Beck and August Kautz, mid-1920s

Rosa, Hilda Schmieder and friends

Schmieder family and friends gathered for a celebration at the Schmieder Homestead, Alexander, New York, mid-1930s

Schmieder family and friends gathered for a celebration at the Schmieder Homestead, Alexander, New York, mid-1930s. Arnold and Fred Schmieder appear at far left, second row.

Rosalie and David Schmieder

Threshing at the Schmieder Farm, Alexander, New York

George Schmieder

Schmieder Grandchildren

George Schmieder during a family visit to the Zipperhof in Reichenbach, Germany, circa 1949

George Schmieder visiting the Zipperhof (Schmieder homestead), Reichenbach, Germany, 1949

Wedding photograph of Betty Calkins and Paul Schmieder, 1948, with Paul’s brothers Fred (left) and Arnold (right).

Paul Schmieder during his military service, mid-1940s

Painting of the Zipperhof (Schmieder homestead), Reichenbach, Germany

Xaver Schmieder with his children at the Zipperhof, the Schmieder family homestead in Reichenbach, Germany, mid-1940s; Franz Schmieder is shown on horseback.

Schmieder Family Gathering, Alexander, New York. 1954

Rosa and George Schmieder.

George Schmieder with his father, Georg Schmieder, at the Zipperhof (Schmieder homestead), Reichenbach, circa 1949

Left to right: Paul Schmieder, Steve Schmieder, and George Schmieder

George and Rosa Schmieder

George and Rosa Schmieder

First Communion - Hilda and Fred Schmieder

George Schmieder raking hay on the family farm

Sugar shanty at the Schmieder Farm

George Schmieder boiling sap during maple syrup season

George Schmieder boiling sap during maple syrup season

George Schmieder boiling sap during maple syrup season

George Schmieder with grandchildren Chuck and Marc Andre in the maple sugar woods, early 1960s

Erma Schmieder, senior yearbook photograph, Alexander Central School, 1948

The Schmieder Farm garage in Alexander, New York, constructed in the 1940s

Eugene Kautz and August Kautz

Wedding photograph of Hilda Schmieder and Carlton Lippold, 1947

Henry Vollmer, hired man at the Schmieder Farm. c. 1930s

Anton Schmieder (uncle of George Schmieder); Erika Schmieder holding daughter Linda; Rosemary standing

Schmieder Farm, Alexander, NY (aerial view), mid-1950s

Paul Schmieder (George Schmieder's brother visiting from Germany in 1954) with George's grandchildren - Steven, David, and Michael

George Schmieder and Chuck Andre on a Farmall C tractor at the Schmieder Farm

George Schmieder boiling sap in the Schmieder Farm sugar shanty

George Schmieder and Arnold Milking Cows at Arnold's dairy farm in alexander, New York

A painting of Hohengeroldseck Castle ruins on Schönberg hill in Germany. Located in the heart of the Black Forest, near the ancestral homes of George Schmieder and Rosa Beck-Schmieder.

A painting of the Rosa Beck-Schmieder family ancestral home. This traditional Black Forest farmhouse is located near the ruins of Hohengeroldseck Castle on Schönberg hill in Germany.

Grandchildren of George and Rosa Schmieder: (From left) Paula, Rosalie, and Priscilla Schmieder.

The Schmieder Family in Reichenbach, Germany: Seated is Georg Schmieder (father of George). Standing (from left) are his son Xaver (George’s brother), his grandchildren Christa, Luise, Franz, and Emil, and Xaver’s wife, Maria.

George Schmieder and team of workhorses, Alexander, New York

Rosalie and David Schmieder, children of Herbert and Anita Schmieder, and grandchildren of George and Rosa.

A Schmieder family group photograph taken at the Schmieder homestead in Alexander, New York.

George Schmieder in front of a snowdrift on the Schmieder homestead with grandchildren, Chuck and Marc Andre.

The Beck Family, gathered for a family portrait. Seated (left to right): Monika, Magdalena, Theresia, Jakob, and Albert. Standing (left to right): Jakob Jr., Faran (half-sister), Franz, Wilhelm, Rosa, and Josef (half-brother). Josef’s child sits in the foreground.

Zipperhof, Reichenbach, Germany — the Schmieder family homestead and ancestral home of George Schmieder.

The Schmieder family, in a portrait. Front row (left to right): Erma, Rosa, Shirley, George, and Hilda. Back row (left to right): George, Fred, Herbert, Arnold, and Paul.

Wedding of Shirley Schmieder and John Plescia, 1956, with Erma, George, and Rosa Schmieder.

George Schmieder with oxen during a visit to the Zipperhof (Schmieder homestead), Reichenbach, Germany, 1949.

Erma Schmieder and her uncle, Paul Schmieder (George’s brother), during his visit from Germany, 1954.

David Schmieder (son of Herbert and Anita) celebrating Christmas at the Schmieder farm.

George Schmieder with his granddaughter Karen (daughter of George Jr. and Janet Schmieder).

Schmieder family photograph

Painting of the village of Reichenbach, Germany, and St. Stephen’s Church—the home parish of the Schmieder and Beck families.

George Schmieder and his sons preparing the ground for spring planting on the Schmieder farm, Alexander, New York.

George Schmieder and his sons threshing the grain harvest on the Schmieder farm, Alexander, New York.

Aerial photograph of the Paul Schmieder farm (son of George and Rosa Schmieder), Alexander, New York.

Home of Hilda Schmieder-Lippold and Carlton Lippold, Alexander, New York.

John Mathis, a family friend, entertaining at the Schmieder farm with a ventriloquist’s dummy, circa mid-1930s.

Fred Schmieder (son of George and Rosa) baling hay on the Schmieder farm, Alexander, New York, circa late 1940s.

Franz Schmieder (son of Xaver Schmieder and nephew of George Schmieder) in a German military group photograph during World War II.

Steven and Michael Schmieder, sons of Paul and Betty Schmieder and grandsons of George and Rosa Schmieder.

Rosa (Beck) Schmieder with a grandchild.

Schmieder family party at the homestead, Alexander, New York, circa mid-1950s. Seated from left to right: August and Therese (Beck) Kautz, George and Rosa (Beck) Schmieder.

Arnold Schmieder (son of George and Rosa Schmieder) pictured by his car on the Schmieder farm, Alexander, New York.

Fred Schmieder (son of George and Rosa) baling hay on the Schmieder farm

Porch construction at the Schmieder homestead, Alexander, New York, circa 1930s.

Mary Schmieder (daughter of Paul and Betty Schmieder) on her First Communion with her grandparents, George and Rosa Schmieder, 1962.

Sattler’s Department Store, Buffalo, New York — Where Rosa purchased Hilda and Fred’s First Communion attire, early 1930s

Fred Schmieder — Graduation Portrait, Alexander High School, c. 1941

Rosa Beck Schmieder (1894–1985)

Fred Schmieder, Alexander High School Basketball Team, c. 1940–1941

Arnold Schmieder (1923–1994), Son of George and Rosa Schmieder

Rosa Beck Schmieder (1894–1985)

George Schmieder Sr. and His Son Arnold Milking Cows, Late 1950s

George Schmieder Sr. — Fishing Trip

Shirley Schmieder-Plescia, Lisa and Julie Family Gathering Following Their Return Home, 1968

David and Mike Schmieder, Grandsons of George and Rosa Schmieder (c. Early 1950s)

Rosa Beck Schmieder (1894–1985)

George Schmieder Jr. (1925–2020) and Paul Schmieder (1927–2004) with Their Mother, Rosa Beck Schmieder (1894–1985)