{"id":3147,"date":"2023-02-22T15:01:58","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T15:01:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org\/?page_id=3147"},"modified":"2023-02-22T15:01:58","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T15:01:58","slug":"tales-of-the-people-and-places-of-the-olde-kankakee-river","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org\/?page_id=3147","title":{"rendered":"Tales of the People and Places of the Olde Kankakee River"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Richard C. Schmal was born, on November 17, 1916 at the “Schmal Hotel”located in Lowell, Indiana, to Fred and Theresa Schmal. His father, Fred Schmal influenced his interest in history early in life. The senior Mr. Schmal was an early president of the Lake County Historical Society. Dick’s grandfather, Adam Schmal, wasa 9-year-old pioneer at St. John, Indiana in 1838, and Lake County Treasurer during the Civil War. He and his lovely wife of 57 years, Georgene M. (Schutz) Schmal, reside in Lowell, Indiana where they raised their daughter Mary Ellen. Georgene was born in the Cedar Lake home of pioneer historian Reverend Timpthy H. Ball and shares her husband’s passion for preserving history.<\/p>\n

Richard C. Schmal attended grade school at Saint Edward’s, graduated from Lowell High and took a sales course at Purdue. Dick recalled that at his 30-year class reunion (70 years in 2004) his English and History teacher told the gathering, as she pointed at him, “That one would be the last that I would have picked for writing in a newspaper!”<\/p>\n

A veteran of World War II, Dick served for four years as Army Quartermaster Corp., three of these years were in the Pacific Area. It was during this time, while stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, that he found an 1873 history of Lake County, Indiana, written by Reverend Timothy H. Ball. Lonely and far from home, he read Ball’s detailed accounting with great interest, he has since accumulated many more writings by the early Circuit Rider-Historian.<\/p>\n

Life’s demands left little time for Dick to write. Displayed in his home is evidence of Dick’s dedication to family and community. One prominent plaque, presented to him at his retirement, reads … “For 50 years in the Hardware Industry.” Among several community service awards are: “Official Historian, Town of Lowell, 1997 ,” “Outstanding Community Service Award, 1998, Gleaners,” “Career Day Accomplished Alumnus Award, 2000,” “Unsung Hero of the Year Award, 2000, Lowell Chamber of Commerce.” In the Park stands a\u00b7 4-foot stone 2 with a plaque dedicated to Richard C. Schmal. Over the years, the name, Richard Schmal, has appeared on numerous civic organization rosters as Scoutmaster, member of the Lion’s Club, Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, Gleaners, Three Creeks Historical Association, Lake County Historical Society, Kankakee Valley Historical Society, American Legion, several church ministries and he was a Civil War re-enactor for many years. However, in January of 1980, coaxed by members of the local historical association, Dick began to write the “Pioneer History” column in the Lowell Tribune. His goal was to preserve the history and traditions of the area. In order to share his writings and expand their use, Dick chose to write the columns for no pay, thus retaining ownership of his work. This unselfish decision has made possible this book. Dick has humbly stated, “I have never claimed to be a ‘writer,’ just someone who wants to tell the stories in one way or another.” His dedication to history and its preservation exemplifies the mission of the Kankakee Valley Historical Society … “To promote an interest in the rich, diverse history and cultures … through educational programs, speakers … ongoing research and restoration.”<\/p>\n