admin LOUIS SCHOELLKOPF, who died on the 7th day of July, 1901, was well known in the business life of Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and was an example of a strong, persistent, self-contained man, who pursued his aims with resolution, acted with uniform consistency of judgment and attained successful results. Mr. Schoellkopf was prominent, not only in commerce and manufacture but in social affairs. Though neither a holder nor a seeker of public office, he was a man of defined political convictions and had a citizen-like conception of duty. A native of Buffalo, his character and his career were chiefly identified with this city, and he always had an active concern for its welfare. As an individual who commanded esteem, he possessed a wide circle of friends, and as a man of culture and experience, his opinions were universally respected. Mr. Schoellkopf occupied a noteworthy sphere of usefulness and belonged to that class of men whose abilities and fidelity to obligation have constituted the best elements in the business and social life of our city.
Mr. Schoellkopf was born in Buffalo March 25th, 1855. He was son of the late Jacob F. Schoellkopf, whose reputation as a builder up of industries at once great and permanent has survived its possessor. Belief in education and willingness to spend time and take pains in gaining it is a characteristic of the Schoellkopf family, and Louis Schoellkopf was no exception to the rule. In his childhood and youth his tuition was unusually careful and sound. Until he was ten years old he attended private schools. His father having a high opinion of German thoroughness in educational matters, the lad was soon sent to Germany, where he studied for four years. Upon his return to Buffalo the knowledge he had acquired was supplemented by further instruction by private teachers, by a course of study in St. Joseph’s College, and by a system of practical training in Bryant & Stratton’s Business College.
At the age of eighteen Mr. Schoellkopf resolved to master the details of the tannery business, and accordingly went to work in his father’s tannery. He rapidly acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the industry, and in 1877 began business on his own account, forming with his brother Henry a partnership under the firm name of J. F. Schoellkopf’s Sons. The venture was successful, and the co-partnership continued until the death of Henry Schoellkopf in 1880. The same year a new firm was organized, its members being Louis and Alfred P. Schoellkopf and John Russ. This also proved a profitable enterprise, the concern being ably managed and acquiring a durable prosperity.
Aside from his tannery business, Mr. Schoellkopf was engaged in many other undertakings. Much of his time was devoted to his affairs in Niagara Falls, where he was interested in the Power City Bank, the Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power & Manufacturing Company, the International Hotel and the Cliff Paper Company.
In politics Mr. Schoellkopf was a Republican, and was a member of the Buffalo Republican League. He was faithful to his political principles, but had no aspirations toward office or leadership, and was not what is called an active politician.
In social life he was highly regarded. He was a member of the Ellicott Club, the Orpheus Singing Society and the Westminster Club. He also belonged to the Merchants’ Exchange and the Charity Organization Society. He attended the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
On the 18th of May, 1881, Mr. Schoellkopf was united in marriage to Myra Lee Horton, of Sheffield, Pennsylvania. Their children are Walter Horton and Genevieve.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I