Notes for: Joseph Henry Schmidt
According to documents on file at Doddridge County Court House, Henry Schmidt filed his intent to become a citizen of the United States on 19 Mar 1851. In his application, he stated that he was born in Hesse, Germany, in 1816, that he immigrated to the U.S. in 1839, and that he resided in Maryland until moving to Doddridge County in 1843. He was granted American citizenship on 21 May 1855 in Doddridge County, renouncing any allegience to the Prince of the Electorate of Hesse in the Confederation of Germany. His character references were Joseph H. Diss Debar and Job Stout. His name was entered as Henry Schmidt in the application, but as Henry Smith in the final citizenship document, on file in Law Book 1, page 354, in the office of the Doddridge County Circuit Clerk.
In 1863, Peter G. VanWinkle, chair of the committee established to create a state seal, commissioned Doddridge County resident Joseph H. Diss Debar to carry out that task. Diss Debar presented the committee with a seal picturing a miner with a pick signifying industry, and a farmer with an axe signifying agriculture. He used Henry Joseph Smith, a resident of Cove in Doddridge County, as his model for the farmer. [Model for the miner was reportedly William "Billy" Patton of Bear Fork in nearby Gilmer County.] Centered between the farmer and the miner is a stone bearing the date of West Virginia's admittance to the Union, June 20, 1863. The stone, symbolizing strength, is complemented by two crossed rifles and a Phrygian cap indicating liberty. Below the scene is the motto written in Latin "Montani Semper Liberi" - Mountaineers Are Always Free. On September 26, 1863, the state legislature approved Diss Debar's seal.
http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/Doddridge/dodhistory.html