Josef von Schmitt
Josef Ritter von Schmitt (born 4 March 1838 – 16 April 1907) was a Bavarian politician and prominent jurist, who served as the 14th President of Upper Franconia from the turn of the century until his death in 1907. A prominent figure in Bavarian politics, von Schmitt served as the President of the Court for the Kingdom of Bavaria under the Bavarian Regency, as well as the primary advisor to Prince Luitpold of Bavaria. Josef's brother, , served as President of the Bavarian Supreme Court in Munich. Aside from politics, von Schmitt was a key industrial figure in Bavaria, holding positions on multiple large Conglomerates. He was on the board of Dresdner Bank, Arnhold Brothers and from 1898 until his death he served as chairman of the board of the Schweinfurt ball producer , contributing decisively to its boom. In von Schmitt's later life, he served as privy councilor and was awarded honorary citizenship of the city of Bamberg, a city which he had previously led. Early life Born into a middle-class family on May 4, 1838, to Joseph and Dorothea Schmitt in Hofheim, Josef attended the , completing his schooling in 1857, after which he attended the University of