Christian Schmitt and Peter Willems were among the large number of German immigrants who came to the United States in the mid-1800's. They were among the many German immigrants that settled in Louisville, Kentucky. At first, they settled around Preston and Jackson Streets south of Broadway. As that area began developing, they began moving toward the west down Broadway and toward the Butchertown neighborhood east of downtown Louisville, close to the Ohio River. In the late 1800's, some of the descendants of the original immigrants began moving away from downtown into the area now known as Germantown. Germantown even became subdivided into smaller communities one of which was called Schnitzelburg.

A limited number of copies of the book on the Schmitt and Willems families was published in June of 2008. The book traces the families from their arrival in this country through the current generation. Included are family photographs and a history of Schnitzelburg. Copies are available for purchase on a print-on-demand basis. For a quote on the cost for purchase of the book including shipping and tax, where applicable, please send an email to info@tomhouse.us or by postal mail to the following address. Please include the number of copies desired as this will affect the final cost per copy.