Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Schott, Fred J 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 5, 2007, 2:11 pm

Author: Biographical Publishing Company

FRED J. SCHOTT, who has spent his entire life in Joliet and is engaged in 
business in this city, is the son of a pioneer, Jacob Schott. The latter, who 
was a native of Hamburg, Germany, learned the trade of a painter and decorator 
in his native country and from there, a young man, came to America, securing 
employment with a firm in New York City. The firm, Jevne & Almini, secured the 
contract for decorating the penitentiary at Joliet and sent Mr. Schott to take 
charge of this work in 1854. The contract for the decorating of the state 
penitentiary secured the firm other large contracts that were important and 
profitable. In 1855 Mr. Schott started a paint shop at No. 415 Jefferson 
street, where, in 1872, he erected a substantial business building, and in 
this he continued in business until the time of his death, September 27, 1884, 
at the age of fifty-nine. He was made a Master Mason in Mount Joliet Lodge. 
Before leaving Germany he took part in the revolution of 1848 and it was 
largely on account of his connection with it that he decided to leave his 
native land. He married Rosa Helm, who was born near Munich, Bavaria, Germany, 
a daughter of Anton and Hannah Helm, by whom she was brought to America in 
infancy. Her father settled on the present site of Watertown, Wis., about 
1835, where he improved a farm from the wilderness. Later he sold the place 
and removed to Baraboo, the same state, where he engaged in farm pursuits. He 
died in 1883 and his wife in 1896. Mrs. Schott is still living and makes her 
home in Joliet. Of her children, Fred is the oldest; the daughters are Mamie, 
Mrs. August Schoenshadt, who died in Joliet; and Susie, who married John 
Raible and now resides in Birmingham, Ala.

In Joliet, where he was born June 6, 1865, the subject of this sketch received 
his education in the city schools. Leaving the high school at the end of the 
third year, he turned his attention to business and learned painting and 
decorating under his father. On the death of the latter he took charge of the 
business, of which he has been sole proprietor since 1896, continuing the 
business in the building so long occupied by his father. He is one of the 
leading Masons of Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M.; also belongs to 
Joliet Chapter No. 27, R. A. M., Joliet Council, and Commandery No. 4, K. T., 
of this city, also Medinah Temple, N. M. S., of Chicago. The Modern Woodmen of 
America is another fraternal organization that receives his support. Socially 
he is connected with the Union Club. He is not a member of any denomination, 
but contributes to the Central Presbyterian Church, with which his wife is 
identified. The marriage of Mr. Schott took place in his home town, November 
24, 1896, and united him with Miss May Louise Smith, who was born in New York 
state and educated in Evanston, Ill., and by whom he has a son, Fred J., Jr.  
The father of Mrs. Schott, James Monroe Smith, removed from New York to 
Evanston and afterward engaged in business in Chicago.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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