Anton Schmidt was born in Bevtovt July 20, 1870. He began in farming as a young boy and did his military service at the infantry in Haderslev from 1890 to 1893. He married Mette Jessen from Nr. Hjarup in 1896 and took over her childhood home. Only a year later his wife died after given birth to a daugther named Johanne.
He married again March 17, 1900 with another Mette Jessen from Abkjær in Vested parish, born October 14, 1878. It is said that the two wifes were sisters our at least related, maybe cousins. In 1907 the couple bought the 660,000 square meter farm "Sandkro" in Nr. Hjarup. Previously the place was an inn; hence, the farm was out of service, but with hard work and great skills they succeeded in establishing an efficient farm.
Mette and Anton had seven children together, two girls and five boys. The youngest boy, Marius Christian Schmidt, was my father. One son, Peter, emigrated to USA where he problably was murdered or commited suicide. Three sons were farmers and the oldest of them, Mathias, took over the farm in 1940. The two sons Hans and Emil each got a farm subdivided from the "Sandkroen" fields.
My father did not want to work in farming, instead he took an apprenticeship as wheelwright in Over Jerstal. Anton and Mette built themselves a small house in the farms garden.
Johanne was married with Jørgen Winther, and Didde was married with miller Christian Adamsen, Rangstrup. Mette was never married. She manage the service in a house in Skærbæk, but when the lord died, she moved back home and took care of her old parents. They were very religious, in particular my grandmother. My grandfather was a very nice man, whilst my grandmother was more strict. No doubt about who had command in the house. They celebrated their 60 years wedding day March 17, 1960.
IMG: Mette and Anton Schmidt - This is how I remember my grand mum and grand dad (on my mothers side)