Edwin Willard Schurz1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 18975, (1874 - 1938)
FatherFrederick J. Shurtz4,5,6 (1832 - 18 May 1892)
MotherSarah Elizabeth Riegel4,7,6 (20 Mar 1842 - 27 Nov 1920)

Key Events:

Birth: 18 Jul 1874, Lockport, Michigan8,9,10
Marriage: 17 Jan 1913, La Porte Co., Indiana, Mary Edith Morrison (1 Feb 1880 - 18 Oct 1913)11,12,13
Marriage: 26 Oct 1921, Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, Genevieve Newlin (16 Feb 1892 - 25 Apr 1967)14,15,16
Death: 10 Jul 1938, 1503 Indiana Ave., La Porte, La Porte Co., Indiana17,18
Burial: 12 Jul 1938, Pine Lake Cemetery, La Porte, Indiana19,20
ChartsDescendants of Jacob K. and Christiana Ohl Riegel
AncestryThe Reigel Family

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Edwin Willard Schurz was born on 18 Jul 1874 in Lockport, Michigan.8,9,10
     Edwin moved to Iowa about 1880 with his parents. He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Fisher Twp., Fremont Co., Iowa, in the household of his parents, Frederick J. Shurtz and Sarah Elizabeth Riegel.5 He appeared on the 1885 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa, in the household of his parents.21
     Edwin moved to Chicago, Illinois, by 1896.22 A Pennsylvania paper reported in Apr 1896 that he had returned to his parents' home town, Milton, Pennsylvania, to visit friends there.23
     Edwin appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 25 46th St., enumerated 12 Jun 1900, boarding with Alice Morse and her sister, along with six other men and one woman, all with office jobs, including one lawyer.24

Establishing a Career with Cable Piano Company --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     By 1900 Edwin was a stenographer. Sometime between then and 1910 he formed a relationship with Hobart M. Cable, Jr., for whom he worked the rest of his career. Hobart Sr. had been in the piano business with his brothers, and had than founded his own piano manufacturing business, The Hobart M. Cable Co., with a factory in La Porte, Indiana. By 1910 he had died and Hobart Jr. had succeeded him as president of the company, and Edwin was working there as a clerk.25,26,27
     Edwin appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 1438, enumerated 18 Apr 1910, lodging with H. M. Cable, his mother, sister, and her son and a Swedish servant. Cable, at 28, was the president of the piano factory where Edwin worked.28
     About 1910 the company offices were moved to La Porte. Edwin, then an auditor for the firm, moved there as well, boarding at 1627 Michigan Ave.29 He was treasurer of the company by 1913.30,31,32
     His birth name was Edwin Willard Shurtz, and he seems to have used that spelling of his surname until he moved to Indiana sometime after 1900. About 1913 he seems to have adopted the spelling Schurz, which he and his family used thereafter.4,33,34,35,36,2,1
     Edwin married first Mary Edith Morrison, daughter of Henry D. Morrison and Mary Naomi Ridgeway, on 17 Jan 1913 in La Porte Co., Indiana.11,12,13

The Tragic End of His First Marriage --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     On 18 Oct 1913, nine months after their marriage, Edwin was driving his Pierce-Arrow touring car carrying his wife Edith and three other women when he approached what was called the most dangerous railroad crossing in northern Indiana, four miles north of La Porte. His view obstructed by a high embankment, he failed to see a freight train, with the engine pushing a box car ahead. The train struck the auto fatally injuring all four women. Edwin was reported as probably fatally injured, but managed to bring his wife to a farm house a half mile away where doctors were summoned, to no avail.37,38
     His wife died on 18 Oct 1913 in La Porte, Indiana.38,39
     By 1918 was living at a fine home at 1311 Michigan Ave. No record has been found indicating when he bought it, though is might be supposed it was with his first wife.
     Edwin registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living at 1311 Michigan Ave., La Porte, Indiana, reporting he was employed as an official at Hobart M. Cable Co. in La Porte.1
     Edwin appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of La Porte, La Porte Co., Indiana, at 1311 Michigan Ave., enumerated 13 Jan 1920, reporting that he owned his home, free of mortgage. Ella Schuny, a 52-year-old housekeeper, was listed as living with him.3
     Edwin married second Genevieve Newlin, daughter of Charles M. Newlin and Nancy Odenbaugh, on 26 Oct 1921 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Seal Reynolds, with Rev. William Samuel Hess officiating.14,15,16

Starting Deluxe Products Corp. --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     About 1929 The Deluxe Products Corp., a manufacturer of light weight castings, cast iron pistons, and steel oil filters, was formed. Hobart Cable was president and Edwin was secretary, while retaining their positions in the piano company. Edwin's new father-in-law, Charles M. Newlin, was comptroller.40,41 Edwin held both the secretary and treasurer offices in both companies by 1938.42,43
     Edwin and Genevieve appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of La Porte, La Porte Co., Indiana, at 1311 Michigan Ave., enumerated 19 Apr 1930, reporting that they owned a home valued at $20,000, and owned a radio. Their children Sara and Edwin were listed as living with them, as was Sarah Hostettler, a 30-year-old servant.44
     Edwin and Genevieve moved to 1503 Indiana Ave. by 1938.45
     Edwin died on 10 Jul 1938, at his home, 1503 Indiana Ave., La Porte, La Porte Co., Indiana, at age 63.17,18 He was buried on 12 Jul 1938 in Pine Lake Cemetery, La Porte, Indiana.19,20

Children:
     There were no children with Mary Edith Morrison

Children:
     Children with Genevieve Newlin:

  • Sara Schurz44 (abt 1923 - 21 Nov 2015)
  • Edwin Williard Schurz44 (27 Dec 1924 - 10 Jul 2010)

Citations

  1. [S4812] Edwin Williard Schurz, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.
  2. [S3682] "Iowa, Marriages, 1780-1992," FamilySearch.org, record for Edwin Williard Schurz and Mary Edith Morrison, citing FHL #1673874.
  3. [S4840] Edward W. Schurz household, 1920 U.S. Census, La Porte Co., Indiana.
  4. [S4757] Edwin N. Shurtz, Return of Births in County of St. Joseph.
  5. [S4754] F. Shurtz household, 1880 U.S. Census, Fremont Co., Iowa.
  6. [S2785] Marriage Register, State Copy, Michigan, 1921, Kent Co., no. 14168, Edwin W. Schurz and Genevive Newlin.
  7. [S4754] F. Shurtz household, 1880 U.S. Census, Fremont Co., Iowa, shows him as the son of her husband.
  8. [S4757] Edwin N. Shurtz, Return of Births in County of St. Joseph, shows date, town, as Lockport, and state.
  9. [S4812] Edwin Williard Schurz, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, shows date.
  10. [S2785] Marriage Register, State Copy, Michigan, 1921, Kent Co., no. 14168, Edwin W. Schurz and Genevive Newlin, shows age 47 at marriage 26 Oct 1921, town, as Three Rivers, and state.
  11. [S3682] "Iowa, Marriages, 1780-1992," FamilySearch.org, record for Edwin Williard Schurz and Mary Edith Morrison, citing FHL #1673874, shows date; film is for La Porte Co.
  12. [S4814] "4 Die in Auto Crash," The Washington Post, 19 Oct 1913, shows they were married about a year before.
  13. [S4840] Edward W. Schurz household, 1920 U.S. Census, La Porte Co., Indiana, shows him as a widower.
  14. [S2785] Marriage Register, State Copy, Michigan, 1921, Kent Co., no. 14168, Edwin W. Schurz and Genevive Newlin, shows date, city, county, state, officant, as W. S. Hess, and his second and her first marriage.
  15. [S6021] Clipping reprinted from Grand Rapids Press, Grand Rapids, Michigan dated 27 Oct 1921, Tri-Weekly Sentinel Post, 28 Nov 1921, shows wedding was Wednesday, location, and officiant.
  16. [S4810] Edwin Schurz household, 1930 U.S. Census, La Porte Co., Indiana, shows married, with his first marriage at age 39, and hers at 29.
  17. [S12882] Edwen Williard Schurz, Certificate of Death, shows date, address, city, county, and state.
  18. [S4831] Cemetery & Research Association of La Porte County, Indiana, online, "Pine Lake Random Photos Q to T Taken December of 2011," entry for Edwin W. Schurz, shows year and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  19. [S12882] Edwen Williard Schurz, Certificate of Death, shows date and cemetery.
  20. [S4831] Cemetery & Research Association of La Porte County, Indiana, online, "Pine Lake Random Photos Q to T Taken December of 2011," entry for Edwin W. Schurz, includes tombstone photo.
  21. [S4755] Frederick Shurtz household, 1885 Iowa State Census, Page Co., Iowa, Shenandoah.
  22. [S4841] "Milton Melange," Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 Apr 1896, shows he was visiting from Chicago.
  23. [S4841] "Milton Melange," Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 Apr 1896.
  24. [S4839] Alice L. Morse household, 1900 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois.
  25. [S4839] Alice L. Morse household, 1900 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois, shows occupation as stenographer.
  26. [S4838] H M Cable household, 1910 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois, shows Cable as president and Edwin as clerk, industry as piano factory.
  27. [S4844] LaPorte Directory, 1904 pg 41, shows The Hobart M. Cable Co. at Bosserman and Factory.
  28. [S4838] H M Cable household, 1910 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois.
  29. [S4842] Bumstead's La Porte City and Business Directory, 1910-1911 pg 80, shows Hobart Jr. as president and living on Michigan Ave.; pg 234, shows Edwin as auditor and address.
  30. [S4843] Smith's Directory of La Porte, Ind., 1913 pp 57, 234.
  31. [S4814] "4 Die in Auto Crash," The Washington Post, 19 Oct 1913, shows he was treasurer of a piano company.
  32. [S4840] Edward W. Schurz household, 1920 U.S. Census, La Porte Co., Indiana, shows occupation as treasurer, industry as piano factory.
  33. [S4839] Alice L. Morse household, 1900 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois, shows name as Edwin Shurtz.
  34. [S4838] H M Cable household, 1910 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois, shows name as E. W. Shurtz.
  35. [S4842] Bumstead's La Porte City and Business Directory, 1910-1911 pg 234, shows name as Edwin W. Schurtz.
  36. [S4843] Smith's Directory of La Porte, Ind., 1913 pg 234, shows name as Edwin W. Shurtz.
  37. [S4816] "Society Leaders Killed," Hamilton Evening Journal, 21 Oct 1913, shows make of car.
  38. [S4814] "4 Die in Auto Crash," The Washington Post, 19 Oct 1913.
  39. [S890] "Indiana WPA Death Index, 1882-1920," Ancestry.com, record for Mary Edith Schurz, citing bk H-28 pg 87 by Indiana WPA, shows date and county.
  40. [S4843] Smith's Directory of La Porte, Ind., 1929-30 pp 85, 205, 246.
  41. [S4833] Charles M. Newline household, 1930 U.S. Census, La Porte Co., Indiana, shows occupation as controller, industry as piston manufacturer.
  42. [S4845] La Porte Indiana ConSurvey Directory, 1938 pp 239, 354.
  43. [S12882] Edwen Williard Schurz, Certificate of Death, shows occupation as executive, industry as factory office.
  44. [S4810] Edwin Schurz household, 1930 U.S. Census, La Porte Co., Indiana.
  45. [S4845] La Porte Indiana ConSurvey Directory, 1929-30 pg 354.