My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES J. SHULTS was born in Ellicottsville, Cattaraugus county, New York, February 23, 1865, and is a son of J. C. and Angle (Burlingham) Shults. William Shults (paternal grandfather) was born in the year 1802 and died in South Dayton, New York, March, 1890, at the age of eighty-eight years. He was a wool carder by occupation and was united in marriage to Betsey Johnson (who still survives), who bore him four sons and five daughters. J. C. Shults, father of Charles J., is by occupation an architect, contractor and builder, which business he now pursues. He is the father of two sons: Charles J. (subject) and Edward W., born April 14, 1867, at present a spirit medium.

Charles J. Shults was educated at the Union schools at Ellicottsville, having been left motherless at the age of six years. He learned the printer’s trade with R. H. Shankland, a friend and co-worker of Horace Greeley, in the office of the Cattaraugus Union, published at Ellicottsville. After the completion of his trade he entered a law office and pursued the study of the law for eighteen months and also took up the study of medicine, which he pursued six months. His first newspaper venture was the purchase of the Pine Valley News, at Pine Valley, Cattaraugus county, which he conducted for three years. He afterwards bought the Cherry Creek Monitor, consolidated both papers and evolved a new paper, which he called the Cherry Creek News. Since obtaining control of the News, Mr. Shults has made it one of the best and most reliable papers of its character in the State. It is at present the official paper of Chautauqua county. In April, 1890, he purchased the Gowanda Herald, and at the present time is the proprietor of two vigorous and well-edited journals. He is an ardent republican in politics, conducts his papers in the interests of that party, and in 1887 and 1888 served as clerk of his town. He is a member of the Methodist church and a man prominent in secret orders, belonging to the Free and Accepted Masons, Cherry Creek Lodge, No. 384, and a number of other secret societies. On May 4, 1887, Mr. Shults was united in marriage to Eva M. Morian, daughter of William and Marilla Morian, of Cherry Creek. They have one son — Harry H., born April 8, 1888.