Mathias Schulz

Biography

Mathias Schulz was born at Warburg, Germany, in 1842; his mother was left a widow at his birth, and he was raised by relatives until age 11, when he was admitted to the military orphan asylum at Potsdam because of his late father's military service. Apprenticed to a cabinetmaker at 14, he later learned his mother had died while he was traveling to visit her. He worked in a London piano factory for two years, sailed to New York in 1868, and settled in Chicago, where in 1869 he started a cabinetmaking shop with two partners, buying them out in 1876. Through hard work and integrity his business grew, and in 1889 it was incorporated as the M. Schulz Company, with his son Otto Schulz as vice-president, specializing in organs and pianos. Mathias Schulz died in 1899 at the age of 57, having overtaxed himself in pursuit of his ambitions.

Highlights

• Born at Warburg, Germany, in 1842; orphaned young, raised by relatives, then in a military orphan asylum at Potsdam; apprenticed to a cabinetmaker at 14
• Worked in a London piano factory, then emigrated to New York in 1868 and settled in Chicago
• Founded a cabinetmaking shop in Chicago in 1869, bought out his partners in 1876, and incorporated the M. Schulz Company (organs and pianos) in 1889; died in 1899 at age 57

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 359.

Public domain.