No man in Marion county is more deserving of the success he has attained
in business and political circles than John M. Schultz, not alone because of
the splendid results he has achieved, but also because of the honorable,
straightforward business policy he has ever followed.
John M.
Schultz, Circuit Clerk, was born in Salem, Illinois, January 30, 1867. He is
the son of Ephraim Schultz, a native of Kentucky, who came to Illinois when
a young man, first settling in Alma township on a farm. He moved to Salem a
short time before the Civil war, and continued to live in this place up to
his death about 1895. He was successful farmer and business man and retained
the well-wishes of those who knew him. David Schultz was the subject's
grandfather, a native of Germany. Mrs. Becky Frizzell, who is living in
Foster township, an aunt of our subject, has reached the advanced age of
ninety years. She is a sister to Ephraim Schultz. The subject's father was
twice married, his second wife being the mother of the subject of this
sketch. His first wife was a Miss Crawford, who was born in Baltimore,
Maryland. Five children were born to his first wife, two of whom are living
at this writing. The mother of the subject's father was Hannah Hull, who was
born in Hull, England. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Kissie
Marshall, a native of Tennessee, who came to Marion county in an early day.
She was called to her rest twenty years ago, in 1888. Eight children were
born to the father and mother of the subject, four of whom are living,
namely: Mrs. Millie Siefman, of Centralia, Illinois; Mrs. Charles Martin, of
Davenport, Iowa; Elizabeth Schultz, who is living in Salem; Joseph, Schultz,
deceased; Christian and Mary died in infancy. David and Samuel Schultz, of
Salem, Illinois, who were both in the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, were sons of a former marriage, also John Schultz, who was killed
when seventeen years old on the battlefield of Resaca, Georgia. He was in
the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. William Schultz,
another son of the first marriage is deceased; also a daughter, Lydia, who
married George Jennings, of Patoka, this county, and died several years ago.
Hannah
Belle, another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Schultz, and
sister of our subject, who became the wife of L. G. Finch, was a teacher in
the public schools of Salem for several years. She passed to her rest two
years ago, in February 1906.
Joseph Schultz, a brother of the
subject's father, was captain in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. He was afterward Sheriff of Marion county, also
postmaster of Salem and Revenue Collector. David Schultz, another brother of
Ephraim Schultz, was wagon master in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois
Volunteer Infantry.
John M. Schultz, our subject, spent his boyhood
days in Salem, attending the local schools in which he made a splendid
record, receiving a fairly good education.
Mr. Schultz was an
industrious lad and soon cast about for the best way in which to direct his
life work. He decided to be a mechanic. He is always a very busy man, for
his work is satisfactorily done and his business has steadily grown, owing
to the fair treatment he accords his customers.
Fraternally he is a
member of the Woodmen. He is a loyal Democrat, and was nominated and
triumphantly elected Circuit Clerk in 1908, his election being regarded as a
most fortunate one by his many friends. Mr. Schultz has remained unmarried.
His sister, Elizabeth, keeps house for him. He is well known in Marion
county, being interested in whatever has tended to promote the interests of
the county in any way. He is accurate, persistent and painstaking in his
business affairs.
Extracted 03 Nov 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 351-352.