Paul Henry Shoutles

Paul Shoultes was an enterprising young man and possessed with great skill and personality. Following his mother's death in 1912, it is believed that he continued his education and graduated from the local high school in 1915. There are no records found which indicate that he served any military service during World War I.

Paul Shoultes united in marriage with the former Edith Alda Fundis (5Jan1888-5Oct1935) on November 5, 1916 at Binghamton (Broome County), New York. Edith Alda Fundis was born at Richford (Tioga County), New York on January 5, 1888. She was the first child of William Fundis (27May1860-28Aug1932) and Alda Nichols (16Jan1868-21Mar1928) and received a substantial education from the schools of Richford and Binghamton (Broome County) where the family moved later. Her siblings included Blanche Helen (12Oct1891- ) and Claude (3Oct1894-????). The Fundis family were one of the prominent families of the area and the age difference between Paul Shoultes (19 years old) and Edith Fundis (28 years old) probably raised a few eyebrows in the little town. Following their marriage, Paul established a barber shop in Newark Valley. He engaged in the business until 1926 when he sold the business to his brother Stacey (30Jul1907- ) and went into pheasant farming. Paul is well remembered by members of the family surviving today for this enterprise. Paul was involved in several civic and political activities for the town of Newark Valley, and served as Village Trustee and Mayor during the late 1920s. Paul and Edith Shoultes were considered "well off" and a nephew recalls the Lincoln Zephyr automobile that they owned during this period; unusual for this section of New York State.

There were two young sons born to Paul and Edith Shoultes but both died at birth. The researcher recalls Mrs. Edwin (Lena) Bushnell (1890-????) comments during an interview in 1978. Mrs. Bushnell remembers Paul and Edith Shoultes fondly and observed:

"Paul was a wonderful man with great personality, who would have loved to have had a family."

During the early 1930s, Edith became sickly with heart disease. On October 5, 1935, she became stricken. The October 8, 1935 edition of the OWEGO TIMES recorded the event as follows:

Mrs. Edith Fundis Shoultes, wife of Paul H. Shoultes, one of Newark Valley's most respected citizens, died at her home in that village shortly after midnight Saturday, October 5, 1935, following a brief illness. She was 47 years old. Mrs. Shoultes became ill while driving her automobile in Newark Valley late Friday afternoon. She managed to drive the car home, where medical aid was quickly summoned. She soon lapsed into unconsciousness, however, and died after midnight after suffering two seizures.

The decedent was born at Richford, and later the family moved to Owego, where Mrs. Shoultes attended Owego Free Academy. The family then removed to Binghamton, and while residing in that city, Mrs. Shoultes was married. She and her husband established their home in Newark Valley 19 years ago, and Mr. Shoultes is the owner and operator of a large pheasant farm in that village. Mrs. Shoultes was a quiet and homeloving woman who made a host of friends. She was for many years chairman of the Newark Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, and spent many hours in this work among needy families. She was also a member of the Onyx Chapter, O.E.S. Although she had been in ill health for some time, Mrs. Shoultes death came as an unexpected shock to her many friends.

She is survived by her husband, one sister, Mrs. Blanche Scott of South Newark, Claude Fundis of Binghamton, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Hope Cemetery Mausoleum where interment was made. N.P. Lewis was in charge, and the Rev. James E. Bartlett officiated.

The burden of life became difficult for Paul Shoultes following the death of his beloved Edith. He never married again, soon became plagued with personal problems, and eventually moved to Owego (Tioga County), New York. With the help of his sister Vera Shoultes Tuttle (12Jan1895-15Nov1944) and brother Jay (22Jul1899- ), Paul established a barber shop on North Avenue.

Paul Henry Shoultes died of a heart attack on December 10, 1944 at the age of 47 years. The TIOGA COUNTY HERALD OF NEWARK VALLEY recorded his story as follows:

Paul H. Shoultes, former Mayor and prominent businessman of this village, died early Sunday morning of a heart attack in his shop on North Avenue in Owego.

Mr. Shoultes was found on the floor of his barber shop by his brother Jay. Coroner Rupert said that he had died late Saturday night, or early Sunday morning.

Paul H. Shoultes was born in Newark Valley on April 11, 1879 (should have been 1897), son of Erman and Rhoda Henry Shoultes. He attended school here. He married Miss Edith Fundis of Owego. They had two children, both of whom died at birth. Mrs. Shoultes passed away in 1935.

He served here, both as trustee, and Mayor of this village, and is credited with being largely responsible for for "getting Water Street out of the mud." He worked diligently to have the street paved, and it was done when he became Mayor.

He leaves two brothers: Jay of Owego, and Cpl. Stacy Shoultes, who is in Belgium. A sister, Mrs. Roy Tuttle of Owego, died on November 13.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 13, 1944, at the Richards Funeral Home here. Burial was in the mausoleum.

When telling the story for the author, Martha Jane Brougham Shoultes (20Feb1901- ), the wife of Jay Shoultes said, "It was the only time I ever saw Jay cry."

Paul Henry Shoultes was buried with his wife in the Hope Cemetery Mausoleum in the village of Newark Valley (Tioga County), New York.