I'm posting this biography in the hopes that it will help someone. I haven't found a connection to this Schmitz family.
Jeanne

History of North Central Ohio:
embracing Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Medina, Lorain, Huron and Knox Counties
by William A. Duff
published in 1931
pages 1363, 1364
Herman J. Schmitz
As proprietor of the Schmitz Cement Product Company, of Ashland, Herman J. Schmitz is prominent throughout North Central Ohio. He was born at Alvada, Seneca County, Ohio, Nov 22, 1897, the son of Nicholas and Margaret (Reinhart) Schmitz.
Nicholas Schmitz was a native of Seneca County, Ohio. Throughout his life he was interested in general farming and stockraising and owned a well improved farm in Seneca County. He retired in 1914 and removed to Fostoria, Ohio, where he died April 10, 1922. His wife died in 1924. Both are buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, near Alvada. They were members of St. Peter's Catholic Church, and Mr. Schmitz was a Democrat. There were nine children in the Schmitz family, as follows: Nicholas, died in infancy; Charles, retired, lives at Fostoria; Tillie, married Nicholas Kirian, lives near Alvada; Romey, lives near Fostoria; Minnie, married Martin Blechinger, lives near New Riegel, Ohio; John, lives on the old homestead near Alvada; Nora, married Joseph Faber, lives near Alvada; Robert, lives at Fostoria; and Herman J. Schmitz, the subject of this sketch.
The boyhood of Herman J. Schmitz was spent on his father's farm in Seneca County and he attended the district schools. He took correspondence work in mechanical engineering, and at the age of 17 years went to Fostoria, where he spent three years in the employ of H. J. Adams. He later operated a garage in Fostoria, which he sold in 1918 to enlist for service in the World War. He was sent to the University of Cincinnati to study automobile mechanics and later was stationed at Valparaiso, Ind., as an instructor in motor transportation. He was discharged Dec. 15, 1918, and upon his return to Fostoria reentered the employ of H. J. Adams. Later he conducted a garage business at Tiffin, Ohio, for 18 months, after which he spent two years in business with his brother, Robert Schmitz, as proprietors of a cement products plant in Fostoria. Mr. Schmitz sold his interest in 1924 and came to Ashland, where he engaged in the manufacturing of cement products. A branch plant of the Schmitz Cement Products Company was erected in Mansfield in 1928. The company specializes in the manufacture of cement blocks, cement tile, trim stone, etc., and also manufactures a complete line of Selco and Haydite units. In August, 1930, Mr. Schmitz introduced a new composition on the market, which he has termed "Stone Age." This new product is almost as rigid as marble and is manufactured in all colors, to be used in bath room finish, floors, and table tops. It was perfected by Mr. Schmitz after several years of study and experimental work.
On June 17, 1919, Mr. Schmitz was united in marriage with Miss Marie Elizabeth Cook, of Fostoria, the daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Eischen) Cook. Mr. Cook was born in Germany and died in Fostoria, Nov. 12, 1918. His widow, a native of Wyandotte County, Ohio, resides in Ashland. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz have one son, Francis Joseph, born June 11, 1930.
Mr. Schmitz is identified with the Democratic party in politics. He is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the American Legion.