Max Schoetz

Max M. Schoetz was born in Milwaukee, September 12th, 1856, the son of Michael and Theresa Schoetz, natives of Bavaria, Germany, who came to Milwaukee about 1848. The family lived for a time in the city and finally took up their residence in Boltonville in Washington County, where his father followed the trade of wagon maker.

Max's early life was mostly spent in Boltonville, where he received his education, including both primary and academic. During a considerable portion of his youth, when not in school, he was employed as clerk in a store. After leaving school he taught two terms; but in the meantime began the study of law with the late L. F. Frisby of West Bend, who was at one time attorney general of the state.  Mr. Schoetz was afterward a student in office of Collins & Pierce of Appleton. He was admitted to the bar November 12th, 1877; in March, 1883, he was admitted to practice in the state supreme court, and five years later, in the United States district and circuit courts.

He began the practice of his profession in Menasha with the late Hon. John Petter. After Petter's death in 1879, Mr Schoetz practiced alone for three years. He then formed a partnership with Elbridge Smith, which continued until Smith died in May, 1894. In July, Mr. Schoetz entered into a partnership with Silas Bullard, and, after eighteen months Charles Gaffney came into the firm, which is now styled Bullard, Schoetz & Gaffney.  Mr. Schoetz became city attorney of Menasha, and in 1894 was the Democratic nominee for member of the assembly, and his Republican opponent was Silas Bullard, his own law partner; but that was not a year favorable to Democratic candidates, although he had the satisfaction of running ahead of his ticket. He was been consistently elected supervisor for the city of Menasha, until he became the oldest member of the Winnebago county board of supervisors.  He was also a justice of the peace, and served three terms as superintendent of the Menasha public schools. In 1887 he organized the Menasha Building and Loan association and was one of the organizers and a stockholder in the First National bank of Menasha, and in the Winnebago Anzeiger Publishing company. 

Mr. Schoetz was married June 2nd, 1880, to Barbara Landgraf.  Her father was Andrew Landgraf, who founded the Landgraf Hotel on the site of the present Brin Theater building.. They had four children of which his son Max, Jr. grew into an attorney in his own right, and became the Milwaukee City Attorney and later dean of the Marquette University School of Law. 

Mr. Schoetz was mayor of Menasha twice, in 1898 and 1899.  He died in 1932 at the age of 76.