Men of Progress. Wisconsin. (pages 451-486) A selected list of biographical sketches and portraits of the leaders in business, professional and official life. Together with short notes on the history and character of Wisconsin.

SCHOETZ, Max M., prominent as an attorney and business man of Menasha, was born in Milwaukee, September 12th, 1856, the son of Michael and Theresa Schoetz, natives of Bavaria, Germany, who came to Milwaukee about th year 1848. The family lived for a time in the city and finally took up their residence in Boltonville, Washington county, where the father followed the trade of wagon maker. He was a man of extensive reading and always well informed on the leading questions of the day.

The early life of young Schoetz was mostly spent in Boltonville, where he received his education, in 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 th late L. F. Frisby of West Bend, who was at one time attorney general of the state, and whom many will remembers as an able lawyer an genial gentleman. 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, 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 his death in 1879, Mr Schoetz practiced alone for three years. He then formed a partnership with Elbridge Smith, which continued until his death in May, 1894. In July following Mr. Schoetz entered into partnership with the Hon. Silas Bullard, and, after eighteen months Charles Gaffney came into the firm, which is now styled Bullard, Schoetz & Gaffney. Mr. Schoetz is now city attorney of Menasha, and in 1894 was the Democratic nominee for member of the assembly, and his Republican opponent was Hon. 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 has ben continuously elected supervisor for the city of Menasha, until he has become, in point of service, th oldest member of the Winnebago county board of supervisors. Among the measures especially promoted by him in this board is the workhouse for tramps, which is said to be very effective in accomplishing the object intended. He has also been a justice of the peace, and has served three terms as superintendent of the Menasha public schools. in 1887 he organized the Menasha Building and Loan association, by means of which about one hundred and ninety-five dwellings in Menasha and Neenah have been erected, on the installment plan, thus resulting not only in great improvement in the cities named, but in providing comfortable homes for a large number of worthy people. He was on of the organizers and is a stockholder in the First National bank of Menasha, and in the Winnebago Anzeiger Publishing company; of the latter he is manager an secretary. He possesses in the large degree the elements of success, both as a lawyer and man of affairs

Mr. Schoetz was married June 2nd, 1880, to Barbara Landgraf, a native of Louisville, Ky., but of German parentage. They have had four children, all of whom, except one, are living. M. an Mrs. Schoetz are both members of the Catholic church. The former is also a member of the Catholic Knights, the Catholic Order of Foresters, St. Joseph's society and the Germania Unterstützungs-Verein.