Dr. John A. Schmidt is one of two alumni physicians who were also a dentists. He primarily practiced dentistry. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John V. Schmidt, of Armory Street, in Ilion, NY. John was born, in Ilion, on June 9, 1865 and shared the name John, with an older brother. His older brother, John F. Schmidt, died in 1863, when Dr. Schmidt was younger than 2 years old. Dr. Schmidt received his early education in the Ilion schools. He is not listed as a graduate from the Ilion High Academy. He probably would have graduated in 1883.

John Schmidt graduated from Lehigh University and then took a course in dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1885 with the degree of D.D.S. He then graduated from the Long Island Medical College, in 1892, with his medical degree. The Ilion Citizen reported, in the May 1, 1885 edition, that Dr. Schmidt expected to open his new office, in Ilion, by July 1. In the meantime, he had been practicing dentistry at his parents' home on Armory Hill. Dr. Schmidt's office opened on First Street in Ilion in 1885.

John A. Schmidt married Elsie Marie Steers in 1889. By 1890, he was living in Brooklyn and establishing a dental practice there. His wife died in April of 1911 of appendicitis. She was survived by her husband and their two children; John L., aged 16, and a daughter, Helen, aged 12 years old. Young John would follow in his father's footsteps and train to become a dentist and enter practice with his father.

In July of 1912, Dr. Schmidt suffered the loss of his mother, Louisa [Katharina Seibert] Schmidt, who had lived in Ilion since 1862. Her husband, John V. Schmidt, and five sons survived her; Dr. John Schmidt, of Brooklyn, William Schmidt of Ilion, District Attorney F. A. Schmidt of Ilion, Dr. Robert Schmidt of Elmira and Theodore Schmidt of Ilion; also two daughters, Mrs. Noel Sisson Bennett of Albany and Mrs. R.. W. Warner of Ilion.

Dr. Schmidt joined his father, on a trip to Germany, in the summer of 1914. This was the first time that his father had returned to his homeland in over 60 years. During the trip, World War I began. Relatives anxiously awaited unanswered telegrams as to the fate of the father and son. On August 7, 1914, news was received that the Schmidts safely made it from Berlin to Hague, Holland. By August 22, 1914, a message, which came through the diplomatic service by way of the United States embassies at Berlin and Rome, was received of the death of John V. Schmidt in Europe. Dr. John A. Schmidt arrived in Hoboken, on the Rotterdam, at 8 o'clock Monday morning, bringing the remains of his father. Undertaker Angell met them and brought them home. Frank A. Schmidt went to be with his brother, John, at John's home in Brooklyn. The funeral of Mr. Schmidt was held, from his late home on Armory Hill, on Wednesday, at 2:30 p. m., conducted by Rev. L. R. Benson and was private.

In May of 1919, Capt. John E. Schmidt of Brooklyn, chief of Oral Surgery Department U.S.A. Base Hospital No. 37, returned from overseas. Capt. Schmidt resumed his practice with his father, Dr. John A. Schmidt, in Brooklyn.

Dr. John A. Schmidt Died in Brooklyn;
Son lived in Ilion
Utica Morning Telegram - October 20, 1921

Dr. John A. Schmidt. M.D., D.D.S., brother of Frank A. and Theodore W. Schmidt, at this village, died at his home in Brooklyn, yesterday afternoon. He had been ill, for the past two years, and had been receiving treatment at Clifton Spa., but recently returned from there to his home in Brooklyn.

He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John V. Schmidt of Armory Street, born in this village June 9, 1865, and his early education was received in the Ilion schools; later he was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania as a dental surgeon and in 1898 from the Long Island Medical College. Dr. Schmidt practiced dentistry for some time on First Street, later going to Brooklyn where he has since practiced and where he has had a very successful business.

He was married in 1889 to Elsie Marie Steers who passed away in 1911. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Helen DuBois of Brooklyn and one son, Dr. John E. Schmidt who was engaged in practice with his father; also four brothers and two sisters, Mrs. Louise Warner, Wilhelmina A., Frank A. and Theodore W. Schmidt of Ilion; Dr. Robert Schmidt of Elmira and Mrs. Noel Sisson Bennett of Albany.

The remains will be brought to this village and the funeral held from the Schmidt homestead on Armory Street, the time to be announced after the arrangements are made.

Dr. J. A. Schmidt Dead
Utica Herald Dispatch - October 20, 1921

Dr. John A. Schmidt. M.D., D.D.S. one of the most prominent citizens of Brooklyn, died at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Dr. Schmidt suffered a severe illness, about two years ago, from which he never fully recovered. The deceased was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John V. Schmidt of Armory Street and was born in this village June 9, 1865. His early life was spent here and in 1888? he was graduated as a dental surgeon from the University of Pennsylvania and in 1898 from the Long Island Medical College. After his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Schmidt practiced dentistry for a time on First street in this village, later moving to Brooklyn where he become prominent.

In 1889, he was married to Elsie Marie Steers, who died in 1911. The deceased is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Helen Du Bois, and a son, Dr. John E. Schmidt, who was engaged in practice with his father. He is also survived by four brothers and two sisters, Mrs. Louis E. Warner, Wilhelm A., Frank A., and Theodore W. Schmidt of Ilion, Dr. Robert Schmidt of Elmira and Mrs. Noel S. Bennett of Oriskany.

The remains will he brought to this village and the funeral held from the Schmidt homestead, Armory street, at a time to be announced after the arrangements are completed