From: A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan

By Henry F. ThomasPublished 1907, Lewis Publishing Co.

CHRISTOPHER SCHULTZ, a well-to-do farmer of Saugatuck township, owning one tract of land of fifty acres on section 21, and another tract of sixty acres on section 22, carries on his work along most practical lines, resulting in success. Born in Germany in 1841, he is a son of Fritz and Sophia (Gustoff) Schultz, both of whom were natives of the fatherland.

In 1852 they emigrated to the United States with their family, settling first in Chicago, where they remained for three years, while in 1855 they came to Saugatuck, Michigan, where the father purchased forty acres of land adjoining what is now the village of Douglas. The tract was formerly owned by Jonathan Wade, and the land was still in its primitive condition but was cleared during the occupancy of Fritz Schultz, who, however, subsequently sold it to a Mr. Williams in 1864, and purchased a part of the land now owned and operated by his son Christopher, becoming owner of a forty acre tract. Only about three acres of this had been cleared, so he again took up the arduous task of reclaiming raw land and transforming it into a productive tract. Christopher Schultz came into possession of the farm in 1887 upon the death of his mother, his father having passed away some years previously. There were two sons in the family, but Frederick is now deceased, leaving Christopher Schultz as the only survivor.

When a youth of fourteen years he accompanied his parents on their removal to Saugatuck township. He was, however, a youth of only eleven years at the time of the emigration to the new world. His education was acquired to some extent in Germany, in Chicago and in Michigan, and from the age of fourteen years he has continuously resided in or near Douglas. Previous to inheriting his present farm he purchased forty acres on section 21, and on coming into possession of the old homestead he took up his abode there and now owns one hundred and ten acres situated on sections 21 and 22, in Saugatuck township. On the sixty-acre farm he has five acres set out to fruit and on the fifty-acre farm a tract of fifteen acres is devoted to horticultural pursuits. In the raising of both fruit and grain he is quite successful and now has a well developed and productive property. In 1888 he erected his present residence, which is a modern home, built in tasteful style of architecture.

In 1867 Mr. Schultz was united in marriage to Miss Emma Albright, a daughter of Henry and Emma Albright, and they have become the parents of seven children—Frederick, Henry, Lewis, George, Charles, William and Minnie, the last named the wife of Thomas Bennet. Mr. Schultz has held the office of road commissioner for three years and has been a member of the school board for two terms. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree and on the contrary he is ever conscientious in the discharge of his public duties, which he prefers to do to the best of his ability. Socially he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees.