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John Schultz is one of the pioneers of Des Moines county, and claims good old Germany as his birthplace. His friends point with pride to the success he has achieved in life, which is the result of his energy, ambition, willing hands, and the best of principles.
He is a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, and was born Oct. 9, 1823. He attended the public schools in Mecklenburg, according to the laws of Germany, and selected the trade of wagon-making as his vocation in life. In 1851, with his knowledge and experience of wagons, he made up his mind to cross the great Atlantic. He came in one of the old-time sailing vessels, and was sixty-two days in making the trip to New Orleans. Here he took a boat up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, and a month later came to Burlington, Iowa, where he engaged in the blacksmith and wagon business, following his trade for different men.
Feeling a desire to start in business for himself, he moved to Dallas, Ill., and opened up a wagon shop. This he conducted for a few years, and then went to Fort Madison, Iowa, and worked for Oberlain, and afterward for Horner. Returning to Burlington several years later, he located on Sunnyside Avenue.
While residing in Fort Madison he was married to Miss Charlotte Fesse, by whom he has six children: Emma married Gus Steinbrecher, and has eight children: William, who died when ten years old; Charlotte is Mrs. Nicholas John Barnicle, and has two children, Clayton and Clarence, twins; Edwin, aged nineteen; Emily, aged seventeen; William, aged fifteen; Raymond, aged seven; Laura, who died when eighteen months old; and Harold, who is three years old. Mary married Fred Schultz, has one son, Herbert, and lives at 1337 Ashmun Street. John resides on West Hill, is an expressman, and has one son, Edwin. Ella is the wife of Gustus Fritz Knickrehm, and lives on Pilger and Bertch Avenues. Mr. Knickrehn was born in Germany, Oct. 1, 1860, where he was educated in the public schools, and learned the butcher's trade. He came to America in 1890, landing in New York, and at once came West to Burlington, where he has ever since been engaged in following his trade, with the exception of two years, which he spent in New Mexico. He is a Democrat, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and also a faithful member of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Schultz is a member of the Zion church, and was the efficient janitor of the church for fifteen years, but on account of age resigned a number of years ago. He has always given his political allegiance to the Democratic party, but prefers private life to office holding. Mr. Schultz is of a retiring disposition, and his many friends and acquaintances have found that he is a true man, possessing all those noble qualities that make an honored citizen. His life, so full of activity and strong determination of purpose, is well worthy of emulation. His residence of over fifty years in Iowa has been a wonderful school of experience, and his friends enjoy to gather round this kind old gentleman and hear him repeat the tales and incidents of the past.
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