Biography of George Schulthess, pages 554/555/556.  History 
of DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



There could be no more comprehensive history written of a 
city or a community, or even of a state and its people, 
than that which deals with the life work of those, who, by 
their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed 
themselves where they well deserved the title of “prominent 
and progressive.” And in this sketch will be found the 
record of one who has outstripped the less active and less 
able plodders on the highway of life and who has attained 
to an enviable position in the business, political and 
social life of the community where he has resided for many 
years.  George Schulthess, business man, citizen and public 
official, who is honoring the city of Garrett, Indiana, by 
his residence, was born on May 5, 1873, at Millersburg, 
Ohio, and is the son of Matthias and Elizabeth (Schaffer) 
Schulthess. These parents, who were natives of Switzerland, 
trace their ancestry back through the centuries to about 
the year 1400. The subject possesses a genealogical work in 
the German language which traces the paternal ancestral 
line in unbroken ascent to the founder of the family in 
1400 in the state of Zurich, Switzerland. Three months 
before the subject of this sketch was born his mother 
became a widow through the death of her husband and she 
herself died when the subject was but twelve years old. 
These parents had been married in their native land and 
Matthias Schulthess was a cooper by trade and an energetic 
and industrious workman.  At the time of this mothers’ 
death she left a family of three sons and two daughters, of 
whom two sons and a daughter are still living: Fred, a 
resident of Garrett, Mrs. Emma Geib, living on a farm near 
Garrett, and the subject of this sketch. The latter came to 
Garrett at the time of his mother’s death and made his home 
with his brother, Fred. He received his education in the 
public schools of that city, and his leisure hours, instead 
of being spent in play and recreation, were employed in 
assisting in farm work. Later he and his brother located in 
Garrett and engaged in the furniture and undertaking 
business in partnership with Professor Moore,  which they 
conducted a few years, and then engaged in the milling and 
grain business. They were successful in these enterprises, 
but after a few years they sold out and engaged in the coal 
business for three years, at the end of which period they 
disposed of those interests and since that time the subject 
has been engaged in supervising his farm of one hundred 
acres located one-half mile from Garrett in Keyser 
township.  Though starting life under discouraging 
conditions Mr. Schulthess, by most indomitable 
perseverance, sturdy industry and wise management, has 
prospered and is now numbered among the successful and up-
to-date citizens of his community. With modern and 
progressive ideas regarding business affairs he has 
maintained his farm at the highest standard of excellence 
and has found it a profitable enterprise. Though his 
business affairs have made  heavy demand upon his time Mr. 
Schulthess has neverthe- less found it possible to take an 
active part in local public affairs, in which he has been 
deeply interested. In 1900 he was elected trustee of his 
township and served four years to the credit of himself and 
to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens and also served 
a year as city councilman by appointment.  In the fall of 
1908 he was elected to the council, serving until October 
of the following years, when, owing to a capacity, he was 
appointed mayor of Garrett and has now been serving four 
years in this position. That he has acquitted himself with 
honor and credit goes without saying among those who are 
familiar with his efforts. The city is now erecting a new 
city hall and under the administration of Mayor Schulthess 
a new boulevard lighting system has been installed, the 
public utility plant been overhauled, including the 
installation of new engines and generators and a 
substantial addition to the main building. In all these 
things Mr. Schulthess has been guided by the same sound 
business ideas and methods that he has exercised in the 
conduct of his own affairs. In politics he give his earnest 
support to the Democratic party. Fraternally, he is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging 
to both subordinate lodge and encampment, and also 
belonging to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of 
America, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously, Mrs. 
Schulthess is a member of the German Methodist church.  In 
1897 Mr. Schulthess was married to Elizabeth Lehmback, of 
Garrett, and to them have been born three children, Aline, 
Howard and Leroy. Mr. Schulthess’s life history exhibits a 
career of unswerving integrity, indefatigable private 
industry and wholesome home and social relations, a most 
commendable career crowned with success. It is the record 
of a well balanced mental and more constitution, strongly 
marked by those traits of character which are of special 
value in such a state of society as exists in this country.  
Possessing a strong social nature and exercising a genial 
and friendly attitude toward those with whom he comes into 
contact, it is not strange that he has gained a large and 
loyal following among his acquaintances in this locality.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com