Biography of Walter W. Mountz, page 121.  History of Northeast Indiana; 
LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial 
supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. 
McIntosh.  The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920.
   
   Walter W. Mountz is one of the best known public men in the official 
life of DeKalb County, is clerk of the DeKalb County Circuit Court, and 
has been a leader in local affairs for a number of years 
   Though of an old family of Northeast Indiana, he was born at Overbrook 
in the State of Kansas July 10, 1886. He is a son of Francis and Della 
(Smith) Mountz.  His father was born near Pleasant Lake, Indiana, July 6, 
1859, had a common school education, was married at Ashley, and after his 
marriage lived in Kansas six years. Returning to Indiana, he settled in 
DeKalb County, at Garrett, where for fourteen years he was proprietor of a 
retail hardware business.  He was also prominent in democratic politics, 
represented the Second Ward in the City Council of Garrett, and was an 
active member of the Garrett Fire Department at the time of his death.  
His widow is still living in Garrett. There were three children: Walter 
W.; Dessa, who graduated from the Garrett High School in 1906 and is the 
wife of Harry M. Barrie; and Russell M., clerk in a clothing and shoe 
store at Garrett.
   Walter W. Mountz spent his early life at Garrett, attended the grammar 
schools there and one year in high school, and on leaving school was in 
the West for two years.  July 10, 1909, he married Lulu Maurer.  She died 
in July 1910, and on August 5, 1912, he married Myrtle Osborne, of 
Kendallville, Indiana.  Mrs. Mountz is a daughter of William S. and Anna 
(Johnson) Osborne and is a graduate of Kendallville, High School. They 
have one son, William W., born February 28, 1918.
   Mr. Mountz was elected for two terms as city clerk of Garrett, going 
into office January 1, 1910, and serving seven years.  He was reelected 
without opposition but resigned toward the close of his second term, on 
December 1, 1916, to take up his duties a circuit clerk, Mr. Mountz is a 
thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Member of the Royal Arch 
chapter of Garrett.  He served a secretary of the Lodge of Eagles from 
June 1, 1909, to January 1, 1917.  He is also affiliated with the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, a member of the Auburn Commercial Club, and of the Presbyterian 
Church.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com