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Bio-Sawyers
SRNAMES:  REESE,  HANSEN, MARTIN,SCHLOFELDT, SWANSON, McFEE,  BRADSHAW

Coming to San Martin October 24, 1901, John Schulz located on South Street in a beautiful grove of live oaks, the land, however, being uncultivated, so that he had a long, hard task to bring it to its present state of development. He set out twenty-six acres to a vineyard in 1902, it being one of the first in this section, and after it came into bearing the California Wine Association contracted with him for its yield for ten years. In the early days the grapes brought only eighteen dollars a ton, and in 1921 the price was $140 per ton. Mr. Schulz also farmed part of his ranch to hay and grain, and on ten acres he has harvested as high as thirty-seven and a half tons, an excellent yield. He has added to his holdings until he now owns ninety-two and a half acres of choice land near San Martin.

Mr. Schulz was born near Kiel, Germany, the scene of the famous naval parade in pre-war days, May 16, 1842, being the date of his birth. His parents were Henry and Catherine (Reese) Schulz, both native of Kiel and farmers of that vicinity, while the father was a bridge contractor as well; as the eldest son of their large family, John received a fine education and started out for himself early in life. He became prominent in political life and for twelve years served as a government jurist in his district. Bordesholm was the county seat of his district. In 1867 there was a severe strain on the small land holder because the large holder of land had so many more votes according to his acres and he could defeat measures that gave the small farmer equal rights, and those who had nothing could not vote at all. Mr. Schulz took up the fight for equal rights for all and carried it to headquarters of the government and eventually won out.

When the German government officials noted that this particular district wanted to be free from this levy tax that was voted by the rich men, it was granted and the same opportunity was then given the whole country to take advantage of it, but not another province took it up. Thirty-seven years later those who rejected that first offer came to see what advantages were to be gained and made application, but did not get it. On November 1, 1886, Mr. Schulz married Miss Christina Hansen, born on the Isle of Fohr on August 22, 1864, the daughter of George and Flora (Martin) Hansen, and she was reared and educated on her native isle. Soon after their marriage they came to America, and journeyed on to Davenport, Iowa, to visit Mr. Schulz's uncle, Detlef Schlofeldt. Later they located at Pomeroy, Garfield County, Wash., where they developed a farm from the virgin soil and remained for fifteen years, coming from there to San Martin in 1901, which has since been their home. They have assisted in the development of this section whenever called upon, having backed every movement for progress.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schulz: Carl is a newspaper man in San Francisco; Kurt W. is a rancher at San Martin; Elfreda is the wife of J. A. Swanson and they reside at San Francisco; Herbert married Miss Elizabeth McFee and they live at Berkeley; Vigo married Miss Verdie Bradshaw and they make their home at Stockton, and Bruno lives in Stockton. Walter, the fourth child, died at ten years of age. All five sons of Mr. Schulz gave their services to their country during the World War, Vigo and Kurt going overseas, a family to be proud of, and he also had a long military record before coming to this country, •serving in 1857, 1864, 1866 and 1870 in his native land. His brother. Johan Schulz, came to this country many years before him, and fell at the siege of Vicksburg in 1864, during the Civil War. While living at Pomeroy Wash., Mr. Schulz received his final citizenship papers, and since then he has performed his patriotic civic duties under the leadership of the Republican party. He was one of the organizers of the San Martin Company that built the winery at San Martin.

From Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California,  published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 1195

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