SCHMID, Titus B.

SCHMID, Titus B. (Dubuque, IA--Dubuque, IA, Nov. 13, 1982). Schmid was the founder and chairman of the board of CRESCENT ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY. Previously he had been associated with Schmid-Lowe Electric Company, a contracting firm started in 1916 at 1734 Central. (1)

Schmid had become irritated at the difficulties involved with obtaining electrical supplies for work needed in a local manufacturing plant working on a government contract during WORLD WAR I. Supplies had to be shipped on the MISSISSIPPI RIVER from either Minneapolis, Minnesota or St. Louis, Missouri. "Industry experts" of the time believed that Schmid's plan to start an electrical wholesale establishment in Dubuque was doomed to failure. There was the distinct belief that such a business could not succeed because there was very little or no use of electricity on farms or in small communities. As the growth of electricity spread, the prediction was proven wrong and the company thrived. (2) The business was incorporated in 1928. (3) In 1944 he headed Venture Manufacturing Company which was capitalized at $100,000 to manufacture and fabricate metal, wood and plastics. (4)

Active in the community, Schmid served as chairman of the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce in 1937 when it announced a three-year program including the establishment of an industrial development fund. Schmid pointed to the competition among cities throughout the United States to attract and retain industry. He remarked that those with an economic stake in Dubuque "must fortify their interests with an even more aggressive Chamber of Commerce." The three-year plan called for the development of all the city's resources "along industrial, commercial and civic lines." (5) Plans for developing an annual exposition "in character with the upper MISSISSIPPI RIVER region" which would "acquire some of the important of the Mardi Gras on the lower river" was the goal of the Tri-Stater's Annual Celebration Association formed in 1938. The celebration was planned to "stimulate the industrial and cultural development of Dubuque" on a grander scale that the old TRI-STATE FAIR. There were to be four classes of membership: sustaining ($50), contributing ($25), supporting ($25), and regular ($1). Schmid was among those working on developing the contributing memberships. (6)

He served as chairman in 1942 of a unique program to sell $500 War Bonds. For the purchase of a $500 bond (actual cost $376.00) and one dollar for lunch an individual could have lunch at the MASONIC TEMPLE with Edward Arnold and Miss Frances Dee, two Hollywood stars, and receive an autographed program. (7) He was among Rotary Club members in 1944 who created a service flag honoring their sons or daughters who were serving in the armed forces during WORLD WAR II. The same year he served on the industrial development committee of the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce. He was pictured with sons Thomas B, James A. and John J. in 1946 when with 29 years of membership in the local ELKS CLUB, he was able to see three of his sons initiated. A fourth son was only twenty and not yet eligible. (8)

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Source:

1. Crescent Firm Started in '19," Telegraph-Herald, August 31, 1958, p. 31

2. Ibid.

3. "Corporation Notice," Telegraph-Herald, October 11, 1928, p. 16

4. "Two Dubuque Firms are Incorporated," Telegraph-Herald, October 5, 1944, p. 10

5. "Chamber Lists Three-Year Plan," Telegraph-Herald, January 7, 1937, p. 14

6. "Tri-Staters' Association," Telegraph-Herald, June 21, 1938, p. 7

7. $500 Bond Will Admit You to Film Luncheon," Telegraph-Herald, September 3, 1942, p. 1

8. "Father, Elk 29 Years, Welcomes Sons into Order," Telegraph-Herald, March 6, 1946, p. 3