JOHN SCHUETTE (d. 1919) cemetery #44

JOHN SCHUETTE RETURNS FROM VISIT AT CEDARBURG, FIRST IN 25 YEARS,
FINDS HOUSE FATHER BUILT
A house which his father built back in 1848 when the family made
their home there, was found standing at Cedarburg by John Schuette,
president of the Manitowoc Savings bank when he visited the village
south of Sheboygan last week while on a trip on the lake shore to
renew the days of his youth. Mr. Schuette visited Milwaukee and
stopped at Cedarburg for his first visit to the village in twenty
five years. He found some changes, but there were many landmarks
which he recognized and which he says renewed his youth. The old
mill which operated when his family lived there, is still standing
and the frame dwelling which was erected by his father nearly 70
years ago is intact. Mr. Schuette's family came here shortly after
the house was built at Cedarburg.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Monday, October 08, 1917, Page 1
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FRIENDS FROM ALL PARTS OF STATE REMEMBER JOHN SCHUETTE ON HIS 80TH
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY TODAY
Congratulatory messages and flowers from friends in all parts of
the state were showered upon John Schuette, president of the Manitowoc
Savings Bank today, the occasion being Mr. Schuette's eightieth birthday.
Hale and hearty and one of the brightest minds of the city, Mr. Schuette
was at his office during the day and received the well wishes of local
friends. Mr. Schuette was born Sept. 25, 1837 and came here in 1848 with
his father, who established a grocery store, which later grew to the
large business of the Schuette Bros. Co. Mr. Schuette organized the
Savings bank in 1884 and has been its head ever since. Up to two years
ago Mr. Schuette was owner of the electric lighting company, selling to
the city. Mr. Schuette is widely known throughout the state. The Herald
joins with friends in extending congratulations.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Tuesday, September 25, 1917, Page 5
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JOHN SCHUETTE, WELL KNOWN BANKER OF CITY, PASSES AWAY
Death Came Suddenly and on Eve of His Retirement from May Years of Business
John Schuette, prominent banker, ex-mayor and former member of the
United States Harbor commission, for more than sixty years a leader
in business, commercial and civic life, died suddenly Saturday evening
at the home of Otto Alter, 624 North Tenth street, after an illness of
only one day. Death was due to a heart stroke and the announcement came
to the community as a great shock and keen sorrow.
Headed Many Enterprises.
Mr. Schuette's death occurred upon the eve of his retirement from active
business after a career of more than fifty years during which he had been
identified with many enterprises, including the Schuette Bros. company of
which he was founder, the Manitowoc Savings bank, the Oriental Mills,
Manitowoc Electric Light company, the East Wisconsin Canning company, the
East Wisconsin Trustee company and others. Mr. Schuette, who despite his
82 years, continued an active interest in business affairs, was at the
bank and about town on Friday and greeted friends apparently in his usual
health. Friday evening he suffered an attack and although he seemed to
improve, his death came suddenly as he rested on a couch, shortly after
8 o'clock Saturday evening. Mr. Schuette's daughter, Mrs. Babcock of
Milwaukee, was with him when death came and his brothers, August and
George Schuette, had stepped into another room but a short time
previously.
To members of his family and to intimate friends, Mr. Schuette announced
only a few days ago that he planned to retire from business, turning the
bank over to his sons, together with his other interests and contemplating
spending the winter in Florida accompanied by his daughter, Miss Gesine
Schuette, who made her home with her father. Mr. Schuette had prepared an
announcement to be made public immediately after Christmas and had submitted
it to his sons, and details of the plan were being arranged when death
overtook him.
Died Away from Home
Mr. Schuette's home had been quarantined for several days owing to the
illness of a maid and he had been at the Alter home. After the attack Friday
evening Mr. Schuette expressed desire to return to his own home, possibly
anticipating that his end was near and wishing to be at home when it came,
the quarantine still being in effect.
Came Here in Youth
Mr. Schuette was born at Delmanhorst, near Bremen, Germany, in September 1837,
and came to Manitowoc with his father as a youth of 12 years, and had continued
his residence here ever since. He assisted his father in the mercantile business
but in 1866 he was named a member of the harbor commission of the United States
government and in 1867 was awarded a contract for dredging of the harbor when
the government started work upon the present harbor. He was engaged in this up
to 1871. Mr. Schuette was the found of the Schuette Bros. company and for a
number of years was sole owner of the business but in 1870 his brothers became
associated with him as partners.
Founds Savings Bank
In 1884 Mr. Schuette disposed of his interests in the mercantile business and
organized the Manitowoc Savings bank of which he continued as president up to
the time of his death. Previous to this, in 1874, Mr. Schuette built the Oriental
Mills which he continued an active interest in, later turning the business over
to his sons.
In 1889 Mr. Schuette built the electric light plant which he operated until 1913
when he disposed of it to the city, having been an advocate of municipal ownership
and having, at the time he served as mayor, recommended on frequent occasions the
necessity of public ownership of utilities. When the negotiations for purchase by
the city of the lighting plant were taken up Mr. Schuette evidenced a spirit of
fairness that made the consummation of the transfer an easy matter, and but for
provisions of the state law the usual proceedings would not have been necessary.
After the city became owner of the plant Mr. Schuette co-operated in every way
in its success.
Other Projects
Mr. Schuette's business connections were wide and varied. In 1900 he founded the
East Wisconsin Canning company which was operated successfully for several years
and the plant later sold to the Port Washington Chair company which operated it
until the factory was destroyed by fire. The East Wisconsin Trustee company was
one of the later instititutions with which Mr. Schuette was identified and in
years past he was one of the promoters and a director of the old dry dock company
which was established by citizens here.
Served in Senate
In 1875, Mr. Schuette who took a prominent part in politics of the state and nation
as a republican leader, was elected a member of the state senate and served for two
years. Mr. Schuette served as an alderman and for five terms as mayor of the city.
Throughout his life, he maintained a keen interest in public affairs and was much
interested in the League of Nations and world peace and had contributed many
articles to the local and outside papers of his views which were given consideration
by the leading men in public affairs. Age did not impair Mr. Schuette's faculties and
the keen mind which he possessed gave thought and utterances on public questions that
carried weight.
Public Benefaction
Ever interested in his home city, its growth and development, Mr. Schuette was
generous in support of enterprises that would build up Manitowoc. Conservative
in business, Mr. Schuette was always willing to lend support to projects which
in his estimation would benefit the town and to his efforts and support many of
the present day institutions owe their success. Mr. Schuette improved and donated
to the city Riverside park, one of the beauty spots, and for years he had given
his personal attention to maintaining the park and beautifying it. The park is
located on North Water Street, adjacent to the Schuette home and overlooks the
river.
Wife Precedes Him In Death
Mr. Schuette was married in 1867 to Rosa Stauss who preceded him in death in 1904.
A few years ago Mr. Schuette paid tribute to his life companion in a booklet which
he wrote and published under the title of "Rose and John," the book being a history
of the life of the couple, their failures and successes and contained much that
revealed the strong character of the writer and his keen insight into life. The
death of Mrs. Schuette occurred just after the completion of the palatial home which
Mr. Schuette had erected for the couple to spend their declining years and was a
severe shock to him from the effects of which he never fully recovered.
Mr. Schuette is survived by five children, two sons, Louis and Edwin who were
associated with him in the banking business; Mrs. Robert Walker of Menominee, Mich.;
Mrs. Charles Babcock of Milwaukee and Miss Gesine Schuette, of this city.
Mr. Schuette was a member of the state and national bankers' association and was
prominent in both organizations. Some years ago he attracted nationwide attention
in banking circles by advocacy of a plan of ineruance for bank deposits and his
articles received wide circulation throughout the United States.
The death of Mr. Schuette removed one of the men who, more than any other, has
been identified with Manitowoc's life, industrial, commercial and civic and the
imprint of his life is left with the city of his long residence. His death is a
loss to the community and will be keenly felt.
The funeral of Mr. Schuette will be private and will be held from the late home
Tuesday afternoon. Friends will please omit flowers.
Manitowoc Herald News, Monday, December 22, 1919 P. 1
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THE PASSING OF JOHN SCHUETTE
With the passing of John Schuette the Herald-News desires to call attention to
the outstanding feature of this man's life, best exemplified in the activities
and convictions manifested in the late war—his innate love of America.
Here indeed was a patriot. Of German parentage, born in the Fatherland, he
should from his very heritage have taken the position many of his fellow
citizens did—a sympathetic feeling toward the land of his birth, a lukewarm
allegiance to the land of his adoption.
But this can be said of John Schuette: A man of strong convictions and firm in
his ideas of right and wrong, he never wavered one iota from unswerving loyalty
to America. A man of resource and force, he co-ordinated all his faculties to
one end, that of doing all he could individiually and by example to help win
the war.
To the citizens of Manitowoc he was a shining example of what a real American
should be. There was not fear in his heart when it came to an expression of
views. He never failed to cross swords with friends, who had pro-Germanic
leanings and openly and warmly espoused the cause of Americanism.
And in the crucial period of the war, Manitowoc had need for men of John
Schuette's character.
(This article was inserted into the previous article, in column 1).
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JOHN SCHUETTE, MANITOWOC BANKER, DIES UNEXPECTEDLY
Manitowoc—John Schuette, 82 years old, president of the Manitowoc Savings bank
and for fifty years a leader in commercial and civil life of Manitowoc and in
state banking circles, died late Saturday night at his home here. Mr. Schuette,
despite his advanced age, had been in good health and was ill only one day. He
was at the bank as usual Friday, but was stricken with heart trouble while at
work and never recovered.
Mayor Five Terms.
Mr. Schuette was mayor of Manitowoc for five terms and was state senator for
two years, 1875 to 1876.
A few years ago he wrote a book entitled, "John and Rose," which described the
failures and successes of himself and wife through forty years of married life.
Mr. Schuette was born in Oldenburg, Germany in 1837. He came to American at the
age of 12 with his parents and a few years later the family settled at Manitowoc,
where he had resided ever since.
He married Miss Rose Stauss in 1867. She died in 1904.
Mr. Schuette's first work of importance here was in 1868, when he received a
government contract for dredging the Manitowoc harbor and building a pier.
Builds Flour Mill.
The same year he built the first flour mill here, which is still in operation.
In 1884 he organized the Manitowoc Savings bank, and was its active head until
he died. He was a member of the State and National bankers association, and
always was active in financial circles of the state.
He is survived by five children, Louis and Edwin, who were associated with the
father in the management of the bank; Gesine, also of Manitowoc, Mrs. Robert
Walker, Menominee, Mich., and Mrs. Charles Babcock, Milwaukee.
Private funeral services will be held at the residence on Tuesday.
Sheboygan Pres, Monday, December 22, 1919 P. 6
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TO HONOR MEMORY OF MR. SCHUETTE
Flags in the city were at half mast today in honor of the late John Schuette, the
flag at the court house and on city buildings, banks and business houses being
lowered to half mast and during the funeral which was held this afternoon, banks
of the city in respect to Mr. Schuette's memory, were closed from 1:30 to 2 o'clock.
Brief services were conducted by the Rev. Keicher this afternoon at 1:30, the
funeral being private, attended by only relatives and near friends of the decedent
and family. The pall bearers were selected from among employees with institutions
in which Mr. Schuette had been interested, and former employees and were Henry Detjen,
Edwin Krueger, H. Fetzer, Charles Gruhle, Emil Schroeder and Thomas Olson. Many
messages have been received from throughout state and nation by the family, Mr.
Schuette being widely known. Announcement of his death was a great shock to friends
at home and abroad.
Manitowoc Herald News, Tuesday, December 23, 1919 Page 1
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[cause: heart failure/from record of St. James Epis. ch., Manitowoc)
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[bur. 12-23-1919/cause: apoplexy]