BIO: John J. SHULTZ, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ 354 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. J. J. SHULTZ. This highly respected gentleman, who is one of the most industrious and energetic farmers of Miles township, Centre county, was born in 1857, in Sugar Valley, Clinton Co., Penn., and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Gramley) Shultz, the latter of whom was a daughter of Christian Gramley. The paternal grandfather of our subject, who also bore the name of Jacob Shultz, disappeared suddenly from home, and has never been heard of since. The parents were married in Brush Valley, Centre county, whence they removed to Sugar Valley, where two years and a half were passed, and they then, in the spring of 1861, returned to the former place, locating near Rebersburg. The father not only provided for his own maintenance from a very early age, but also helped to support his parents, who were in limited circumstances, so that at the time of his marriage he had only one summer's wages with which to begin life. Being a hard worker and economical, he managed to save some capital, which he invested in land, having at the time of his death over 150 acres of good land. There his widow, an earnest Christian woman, still resides. He died at the age of seventy-four years, and was laid to rest in the cemetery of Rebersburg. Like his wife, he was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church; in politics he was a Democrat. They had nine children, namely: Rebecca, now the wife of George Miller, of Madisonburg, Centre county; J. J., of this sketch; Henry, who died in infancy; Hannah, who died in childhood; Bevie, who died in infancy; Frank and Charles (twins), now farmers of Brush Valley and Sugar Valley, respectively; Annie, wife of Jonathan Shott, of Miles township; and a son, who died in infancy. In addition to rearing his own family, the father also cared for his widowed mother and brother. He was an honest, straightforward man, whose word was never questioned nor his integrity doubted. J. J. Shultz was afforded but limited educational privileges, but he made the most of his advantages and learned rapidly, so that he is now a well-informed man. As soon as he was large enough to handle a plow he began work in the fields, and continued to assist in the labors of the home farm until he had reached his twenty-seventh year, with the exception of a few days at a time when he would find employment elsewhere. After he had attained his majority he hired out to his father by the year, and on his marriage his capital consisted of what he had managed to save from his wages. He then located on the old Smull farm, which his father had purchased, near Kreamerville, and there continued to reside until coming to his present farm in the spring of 1887. It comprises sixty-seven acres, pleasantly located at Spring Bank, in Miles township, and under his able management has become very productive. He married Miss Sarah J. Bressler, of Brush Valley, and they have two children - Ira E. and Ida M., both at home. Sincere and earnest Christians, the parents are faithful members of the United Evangelical Church, and their genial, courteous manners have attracted to them many warm friends. Fraternally, Mr. Shultz is connected with the Grange, and in politics he is an earnest advocate of Democratic principles. He has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of election judge and supervisor of his township two terms, but prefers to give his time and attention to his business interests, in which he is meeting with excellent results. 1900 Miles Township, West Precinct, Centre County census - John J. Shultz, 48 Sarah J. Shultz, 41 Ira E. Shultz, 19 Ida M. Shultz, 15