John J. and Bette J. Schmid - A Family Heritage
On February 5, 1922 John J. Schmid was born in Dubuque, Iowa to Titus Bernard and Josephine Ann Schmid. They had seven siblings,Thomas, Mary, John, James, William, Jeanne and Janet. His father started the Crescent Electric Supply Company in 1919 in Dubuque, Iowa and in time all four sons elected to join the firm.
John's first of many jobs with the Crescent Electric Supply Company was in grade school going to the office after school hours to deliver invoices to customers for the 2 cents stamp money. During high school he started with a broom in the warehouse and moved up to trucker and then on to warehouse positions. This required learning the catalog numbers and application to 25,000 plus products in stock. John and his three brothers all graduated from Notre Dame University - John in 1943.
After working at the company branch in Waterloo, Iowa for two years doing outside selling. John elected to move to Davenport to take over the management of the Davenport branch. He, to his good fortune, met Bette Jane Davis shortly after his arrival in Davenport. They were married at Notre Dame in 1952.
Bette was born in Silvis, Illinois to John and Edna Davis and raised in Moline. They had six children and Bette was the third child. Her father worked for the Rock Island Railroad and was a veteran in WW I. Bette graduated from Moline High School and for a while worked for the purchasing office of International Harvester.
Crescent Electric Supply Compnay is the 5th largest electrical supply company the nation. Fortunately, four sons of this generation are followers in their father's footsteps. The latest acquisition found Crescent taking over the 4th largest electrical distribution company in New York City. This acquisition brings the count of branch operations to 146 and gives Crescent coverage from New York to Los Angelus inclusively.
Both John and Bette have been involved in their community for many years. They enjoy assisting nonprofit organizations close to their heart. John has worked as a fundraiser for such organizations as Boy Scouts, Mercy Hospital, Community Chest and Chamber of Commerce and many others. Bette devotes her time and is a hands on volunteer for Junior Board of Visiting Nurses Association, Junior League of the Quad Cities, and Davenport Public Library. John was President of the Rotary Club of Davenport in 1972 and continues to be active today. Bette volunteers for the Catholic Service Board, Cinderella Cellar and the Kahl Home. Bette is devoted to these causes because of the much needed help they give the community. She also enjoys working with the elderly. Whether it is an upbeat game of bingo or making crafts to sell at a bazaar for their benefit, Bette devotes her time and talent to those in need.
The Quad Cities has been the home of John and Bette for over fifty years and they have shown their devotion to the community by contributing to the Community Foundation's Impact Fund. The Community Impact Fund has grown to nearly $7 million by gifts from many generous donors who give at various levels. John and Bette's gift is a substantial six-figure donation. It is the largest gift to-date for the Community Foundation from a living donor. Grants from this fund are made to nonprofits in our community such as the organizations that John and Bette have been devoted to for many years. John says, "The Foundation isn't perpetual motion but it keeps the fund working for years to come."
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