Peter Richard Schmidt was born June 13, 1833, one of twelve children born to Caspar Theodore and Frederica Schmidt in Hagen, Westphalia, Germany.

Schmidt studied architecture before coming to America in the 1850’s.  He arrived in California on horseback after spending time in New York, Washington, D. C., and San Antonio and Hamilton, Texas.

Schmidt married Louise Laemmermann, originally from Darmstadt, Germany, on May 14, 1866. He was 33 and she was 19. The marriage was witnessed by Victor Hoffman, an architect, and W.A. Wilder.

The couple had three children, Richard (1868), Elsie (1880), and Adele (1882).

Schmidt’s home address was first listed at 1913 Stockton Street. In 1867, his home address changed to the North side of Oak near Laguna. In 1883, at a cost of $8,000, Schmidt built his own home on the Northwest corner of Golden Gate and Broderick Streets.

Schmidt last appeared in the 1894-95 city directory. Although he maintained a San Francisco office in the Flood Building, his family residence had changed to Calistoga.  Circa 1892, his family moved to a 365 acre ranch that he bought (c. 1885) on the hill Southwest of Calistoga. He planted a large vineyard and orchard, built a residence and wine cellar, and installed an electric light plant.

Schmidt died in San Francisco, in January of 1901, after a short illness. He was cremated in the Odd Fellows’ crematory and then inurned at his ranch in Calistoga.