John V. Schmitt - Regatta & Olympic Champion - Biography 1
John's Peoples Regatta Elgin was returned to his granddaughter Debbie McNeill in October 2025...​
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"You never actually own a watch...You merely look after it for the next generation.."
John V. Schmitt (1901-1991)
Philadelphia Rowing Champion / Olympic Rowing Medalist
1930 Elgin Legionaire Watch
John Victor Schmitt (1901–1991) was a lifelong Philadelphian and champion amateur rower between 1925 and 1930. As a member of the Bachelors Rowing Club, his crew won the Senior Four-Oared Shell with Coxswain at the July 4, 1930 Peoples Regatta on Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River. Schmitt was awarded a 14k white gold Elgin Legionnaire model watch, custom engraved, “Peoples Regatta ~ Philadelphia ~ July 4 1930 ~ Senior Four-Oared Shells ~ With Cox ~ Won By ~ John V. Schmitt”.
John Schmitt also participated in the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Olympics. Rowing for the Pennsylvania Barge Club, he and teammate Paul McDowell won a Bronze medal for their 3rd-place finish in the Paired Oared Shell w/o Coxswain.
