Biography of Walter W. Mountz, pages 576/577/578.  History 
of DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



The office of biography is not to give voice to a man’s 
modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but 
rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing 
his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of 
his neighbors and fellow citizens. The life of the 
honorable subject of this review has been such as to elicit 
just praise from those who know him best,  owing to the 
fact that he has always been loyal to trusts imposed upon 
him and has been upright in his dealing with his fellow 
men, at the same time lending his support to the 
advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the 
community at large. Walter W. Mountz , who is the present 
efficient city clerk and city collector of Garrett, 
Indiana, was born on July 10, 1886, at Overbrook, Kansas. 
He is the son of Francis Henry and Della (Smith) Mountz, 
both of whom were natives of Steuben county, Indiana, and 
whose respective parents came for Pennsylvania, their 
fathers being Jonas Mountz and Amos Smith, natives of the 
old Keystone state and of Pennsylvania German stock. 
Shortly after his marriage Francis H. Mountz moved to 
Kansas, locating in 1884 on a farm there, where he remained 
until 1892, when the family moved to Garrett, Indiana, and 
the following year Mr. Mountz bought the old John L. Davis 
hardware store. He continued in the business until 1904, 
when, in September, he sold out and thereafter lived a 
retired life until his death from apoplexy, which occurred 
in December, 1911, at the age of fifty-two years. He is 
survived by his widow, who now lives in Garrett. Mr. Mountz 
was well known throughout this community and was prominent 
in civic affairs, having served as superintendent of street 
paving and public improvements. He was city councilman for 
two years, 1901 to 1903, and was president of the DeKalb 
Building and Loan Association several years. To him and his 
wife were born three children, Walter W., the immediate 
subject of this sketch; Mrs. Dessa Barre, of Washington, 
Pennsylvania, and Russell, who lives at home. Walter W. 
Mountz received his education in the Garrett public schools 
and during the latter years of his school period he worked 
in this father’s hardware store. In1905, Mr. Mountz went to 
St. Louis and entered the employ of the Simmons Hardware 
Company, but a year later he resigned and took a position 
as storekeeper and time keeper for the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad Company, at Chicago. In 1907, he went to Denver in 
the employ of Denver & Rio Grande railroad, but six months 
later he was employed as material clerk with the Rock 
Island railroad, being located at Goodland, Kansas. In 1908 
Mr. Mountz came to Garrett, Indiana, and accepted a 
position as salesman with the Leigh Hunt clothing store, 
where he remained two years, or until his election as city 
clerk, which office he assumed on January 1, 1910, being 
re-elected in 1913, to succeed himself for a term of four 
years beginning January 1, 1914, without any opposition, he 
being chosen for a second time term. He is eminently 
qualified for the discharge of the responsible duties of 
this office. And has so conducted the affairs of the 
position as to meet the unqualified endorsement of his 
fellow citizens.  Politically, Mr. Mountz is a stanch 
supporter of the Democratic party, and has taken prominent 
part in political affairs. He served as precinct 
committeeman of the sixth precinct and also chairman of 
precinct committeemen of Keyser township in 1912, and is 
the same years he was secretary of the Wilson-Marshall 
Club. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted 
Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of  Elks and 
the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In the last named body he 
has served as recording and financial secretary since June, 
1909. Mr. Mountz is a very busy man, for in addition to his 
official position as city clerk, he also serves as city 
collector and is secretary of the financial board of the 
city. Since January, 1912, he has served as treasurer of 
the Garrett library board, and has rendered valuable 
assistance in the satisfactory conduct of the library.  On 
July 10, 1909, Mr. Mountz married Lulu Maurer, who died on 
July 29, 1910, and on August 4, 1912, he was united in 
marriage to Myrtle Osborne, of Kendallville. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mountz move in the best social circles of Garrett, and are 
very popular among their acquaintances. Mr. Mounts is a man 
of stanch  integrity of character and possesses to an 
eminent degree those qualities which make and retain 
friendship.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com