Joseph and Juliana Schmidt Portrait c. 1894

Circa 1890’s • Lexington, Nebraska

Probably taken when Joseph was stationed in Lexington for a time when he worked for Union Pacific Railroad. He was in the work gang that built the Columbus Spur that came through Humphrey in 1880. After that, he was promoted to gang foreman and worked in various places. He eventually settled again in Humphrey where he was maintenance supervisor for the spur. This photo is likely taken after the 1894 family portrait but would have been taken before the family moved back to Humphrey in 1897-1898. The couple looks a bit older in this photo. This is especially obvious with Juliana when viewing the two photos side-by-side. Juliana was four years older than Joseph.