Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 606.
 
GEORGE W. SCHOTT

     is practically a product of Gilliam county, since he has spent all his life
here with the exception of two years. His birth occurred in Corvallis, Oregon,
on December 19, 1866, and two years later, his father, Conrad Schott, brought
his family from the valley to the territory now embraced in Gilliam county. He
was one of the very first to settle here and he has been a prominent man since
those days. He was born in Germany and came to. St. Louis, Missouri, when one
year old. In 1852 he crossed the plains with ox teams to the mines of
California. Thence he came with the prospector's hope to the mines of Idaho and
then returned to the valley whither he came to this section in 1868. He settled
on Rock Creek and it is to be remembered that in those days there was something
to consider besides making a living, although that was a hard thing to do in
these out-of-the-way places. Mail was not to be had short of The Dalles and the
trading was also done there. The greatest danger was from the savages, who would
swoop down on the stock and sometimes he in wait for bloodshed. Twice Mr. Schott
had to take his family and flee from the onslaughts of the Indians, and once he
and his neighbors built a fort for protection. He was one of the first settlers
here, was one of the largest cattle men in this portion of the state and is
still running stock from the old home place on Rock Creek. He also handled much
stock in Malheur county. Our subject's mother. Frances (Mobley) Schott, was born
in Missouri and crossed the plains with her people in the early fifties. Her
marriage occurred at Corvallis, Oregon. Our subject was educated in the district
school in his home vicinity and then complete his education in The Dalles. From
the time that he could sit in the saddle, however, he was apprenticed to the
stock business both from his own choice and from the desire to assist his father
in the business. He has all the experiences known to the cowboy, has passed all
the phases of frontier life from fighting the Indians to making home made
furniture for the claim shack, and he is well versed in the country east of the
mountains in Oregon. As soon as he was of age he began to work for himself,
although continuing the stock business for his father and others. Gradually he
came to have a band of cattle for himself and the result is that today he is one
of the wealthy men of Gilliam county. He possessed land where he now lives, two
miles north from Alville, for some time since, but only removed his family
thither in 1902. He is fitting it as his permanent home. The place consists of
six hundred and eighty acres of choice land. He has in addition land in other
places.
     In 1901 Mr. Scott married Miss Marie Velter, the daughter of John and
Christina (Young) Velter, natives of Germany, where also she was born. She came
to Portland with her parents when a small girl.  After some time spent in the
primary schools she entered Monmouth college and graduated with the class of
1897, gaining good class honors. She is also highly educated in the German and
is one of the leading ladies of culture in the county. Before her marriage Mrs.
Schott spent some time in teaching. To Mr. and Mrs. Schott two children have
been born, Lenore and Grace. Mr. Schott is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He is a
leading man.and is counted one of the prominent citizens of the county.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.