John W. Stoltz (1825-1899), 18th Mayor of Pekin

From the 1873 "Atlas Map of Tazewell County," page 50 --

HON. JOHN STOLTZ, present mayor of the city of Pekin, is a native of Wittenburg (sic - Wurtemburg), Germany. He was born March 7th, 1825, and is the youngest of a family of five children of Frederic and Dora Stoltz. The subject of this biographical notice received his early culture in the schools of Germany, attaining a sound knowledge of the rudiments of an education. When about fifteen years of age, he became an apprentice to learn the cabinet making trade. His comprehensive ideas while even a boy, led him to infer that the United States of America presented a better field for business than that of his native land. His mind was constantly yearning to visit the elysian fields across the Atlantic. In March, 1847, the dreams of his boyhood were gratified, as in that month he took passage in a ship for the United States, and landed at New York about the middle of May, with very little, if any, money, and no acquaintances except those made on shipboard. From the city of New York, he made his way to Milwaukee, where he resumed work at his trade, resided there about one year and a half, then went to St. Louis, where he made but a brief sojourn, and on the first of May, 1849, Mr. Stoltz became a resident of Pekin. Soon after arriving here he set up in business for himself, and three years after, he celebrated the anniversary of his coming to Pekin, by marrying on the first of May, 1852, Miss Amelia Dalcher, the daughter of Samuel Dalcher, an early pioneer of this city, though formerly from Switzerland. He continued to carry on the cabinet business till 1865. He was one of the sufferers in the great fire of 1860; and again in 1865 the fiery element siezed hold of his property, and in a few minutes consumed a portion of the profits resulting from the labor of several years. Yet this plucky German was not to be daunted by these obstacles in the road of financial progress. In March, 1867, Mr. Stoltz engaged in farming, but discontinued it after a trial of one year, and returned to Pekin in June, 1868, soon after which he became a partner in the "City Mills," which latter business he is still engaged in. Mr. and Mrs. Stoltz had born to them, one daughter, Mary A., who is still living, and now residing at home. On the 15th of October, 1871, Mr. Stoltz was called to the bedside of his dying wife. This was a greater grief than he had ever before been called to bear.

After becoming a citizen of the United States, he made a point of study to familiarize himself with our political and social institutions, after which he joined the then powerful phalanx of the democratic party. He had since tenaciously adhered to those, his first political impressions. His first vote for president was cast for Franklin Pierce. Mr. Stoltz has voted at every subsequent presidential election. In 1871 he was elected supervisor of this township, as the candidate of the democratic party, and reelected to the same position in 1872. His party appreciating his integrity and ability, nominated and elected him in April, 1872, to the honorable position of Mayor of this city. He is still the present incumbent, and had proved himself to be an excellent executive officer, and one who watches closely the interests of the city. When Mayor Stoltz landed in New York, as above shown, he was poor, bt being industrious and energetic, he set about to carve out of the rough material, a home, and thoroughly understanding the importance of economy in the acquisition of property, he could not do otherwise than as he has, make life a success. In him we find an excellent type of the German citizen. In his composition, to a large extent, are united breadth of view, honesty oi purpose, truth, and candor. If he had an opinion to express, he is not afraid to give vent to his views, regardless of the opinions as held by others.Yet he is not a bigot in any sense of the word. Now, when we take into consideration his starting point in life, and watch step by step his rise into a position of wealth and usefulness, it can but draw out our appreciation of the sterling merit existing within the man.

From the 1894 "Portrait & Biographical Record of Tazewell and Mason Counties," page 570 --

HON. JOHN STOLTZ, ex-Mayor of Pekin, is a man of influence in this community, and possesses sound judgment in public affairs, as well as in matters relating to his private interests. He is one of the oldest residents in the city, having located here as early as 1849, and has therefore witnessed the wonderful progress made by the city in the past forty-five years.

Like many of the best residents of Tazewell County, our subject is a native of Germany. He was born in Wurtemberg March 7, 1825, and is a son of Fred Stoltz, also a native of the Fatherland. When fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he worked until reaching his majority. In 1847 he left Hamburg on a vessel bound for America; landing in New York, he came west to Milwaukee, and two years later we find him a resident of Pekin, where he engaged in the manufacture of furniture up to 1865. In that year his furniture factory burned down and although sustaining a severe loss, he three years later purchased the city flouring mills, which he operated until 1892. The plant was entirely remodeled in 1883, at which time Mr. Stoltz put in a full roller system, which had a capacity of turning out one hundred and thirty-five barrel of flour per day.

Our subject disposed of his mill property in 1892 in order to give his undivided attention to the Independent Biscuit and Cracker Company, which was organized the previous year, when he was elected its President. The building which the company occupies was erected by our subject in 1860, and is a large structure fitted out with the latest improved methods for the manufacture of biscuit and crackers.

The lady whom our subject first married was Miss Amelia Dalcher. She was born in this state, and became the mother of a daughter, Mary, now Mrs. F. Schnellbacher, of Pekin. Mrs. Stoltz departed this life in 1871, and five years later our subject married, in Peoria, Mrs. Emma Gosewitz, also a native of Germany, but who was reared to mature years in Peoria. Their union has resulted in the birth of one child, Anna.

Mr. Stoltz has always been an ardent Democrat in politics, and in 1872 was elected on that ticket as Mayor of the city. He discharged the duties of. that responsible position in a most satisfactory manner. In all the affairs of life he has borne himself in an upright manner, and is regarded as a man of true worth.

Mayor Stoltz died 29 Sept. 1899 in Pekin.