Adam Schuman, one of the prominent business men of Cottonwood, and a member of the firm of Price & Co, comes from a country that has furnished America with many of her best citizens in all the departments of business. He was born in Baden on the Rhine, in Germany, January 17, 1832. His parents were industrious and well-to-do farmers, and he received his education in his native land, and also learned the trade of butcher; he also served six months in the German Army. He had two uncles in the United States, who were making money and were pleased with America's free institutions, and they accordingly wrote to our subject's father to sell and come to America, which he did in 1851, settling on a farm in Illinois. Our subject worked with his father two years on the farm, and then opened a meat market, which he conducted for a year and a half. In 1858 he came to Red Bluff, California and for a time was engaged in various kinds of business. In 1870 he became acquainted with his partner, and in 1874 they formed the general merchandise firm, which they have since conducted. They have a large business, in one single year selling as high as $65,000 worth, and in another year they purchased $32,000 worth of hogs. They also have been heavy dealers in wool, buying as high as $80,000 worth in a single year.

Mr. Schuman is one of those men, who has, by his persistent industry and hard work with his own hands, made a valuable property, and such has been his industrious habits that now when he does not need to work, he keeps right on as busy as ever, not afraid to take hold of any work that he thinks is necessary to do. At any time he can be found at work among his men, helping and superintending the building of the large brick store, which is to be by far the largest and best store in Cottonwood. This firm has done a large credit business, and while the house has made a great deal of money they have also lost many thousand dollars by bad debts. They are not only the oldest but wealthiest firm in their town, owning several thousand acres of land, and having a large amount of money at interest. June 8, 1890, a lamp exploded in their residence, which resulted in the burning of the house and furniture, including an expensive piano, the loss amounting to about $6,000. They at once commenced the erection of a commodious and substantial brick residence, which they have just completed.

Mr. Schuman was married in 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Slater, a native of Germany, and they have four sons, all of whom are deceased. They have one daughter, Lou, who is married to J. H. Campbell, a thorough business man, residing in Chicago. Mr. Schuman's religious faith is that of a Druid, and his political views are Republican. In the time of the great civil war, he took his stand with the Union party and has since remained with them. He is not only a hard-working business man, but a thoroughly intelligent one; and work and intelligence combined with generosity and honesty have made him a well-to-to business man, and a citizen of character and influence.

Source: Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 1891 pages 769-770
Transcribed by: Melody Landon Gregory