Herman Schauss (1850-1911)
American Art News
Vol. 9, No. 18
February 11, 1911
p. 4
OBITUARY
Herman Schaus
Herman Schauss, the well known art dealer, died at his upper Fifth Ave. residence in this city on Thursday morning last. While he had been in failing health as a sufferer from diabetes, for some years, and his death would not have been a surprise at ant time for three years past, his condition had temporarily improved of late, and his family and friends were hopeful, at least of his survival for some time. About a fortnight ago, however, he began to fail rapidly and the end was soon.
Mr. Schaus was born in Bieberich-am-Rhein, Germany, Feb. 6, 1850, and was therefore just entering his 61st year. Educated in Germany, he came to New York when 18, in 1868, to enter the employ of his uncle, the late William Schaus, founder of the house of William Schaus, and whom he succeeded in 1886. Mr. William Schaus died in 1985. The elder Schaus had established himself in New York in 1849, when he first came from Germany to represent the Paris house of Goupil and Co. His first store was at No. 289 Broadway, from which h location, ands independently of Goupil and Co. he removed in 1853 to No. 303 Broadway, three years later, or in 1856 to No. 629 Broadway, and later on to No. 204 Fifth Ave., when he retired. In 1907, Mr. Hermann Schaus, who had succeeded to the business and had meanwhile associated with him to the late Capt. Con over, removed to No. 415 Fifth Ave., where the firm is now located.
Hermann Schaus, trained by his uncle in conservative business methods, and the house had always had a good and valuable clientele and a high business reputation.
The Elder Schaus brought the first Rembrandt, "The Gilder," to America, and sold it to the late H. O. Havemeyer. He also imported from the famous Van Dyck portrait of the Duke of Buckingham, now owned by Mr. Harry Payne Whitney, from the Antwerp tri-Centennial of 1900. Both the elder and younger Schaus also imported some of the finest works of Gericault, Goya, Israels, Corot, Rousseau, Diaz, Dupre and other famous European moderns. Thew black and white department of the house also won a high reputation for the superiority of its examples. Its connections in Europe were excellent and its sources of supply there, the best. During recent years, and since Mr. Schaus's ill health the business has gone on largely through its own inertia, but is still a good one.
The death of Hermamm Schaus, following the retirement of Mr. Julius Oehme, removes two of the oldest and most esteemed of New York's picture dealers.
Mr. Schaus was twice married, the second time to Mrs. Johnson of St. Louis, following his daughter's marriage to Mr. Junkin of Philadelphia some four years ago. He is survived by Mrs. Junkin, his second wife and an infant son, Hermann Schaus, Jr. The disposition of the business will probably not be determined for some little time, although it is generally thought it will be wound up.
The New York Times
August 1, 1913
SCHAUS ESTATE SHRINKS
Appraisal Show Valuation $200,000 Less Than Daughter Claimed.
The estate of Herman Schauss, the art dealer of 415 Fifth Avenue, who died on Feb. 9, 1911, was appraised yesterday at a total value of $483,679, a reduction of nearly $200,000 from the estimate placed upon it by his daughter, Wilhelmina Schaus Junkin, who received a life estate in $50,000 under the will and contested the document on the ground of undue influence exercised by her stepmother on the testator.
The largest assets of the estate were not pictures but bonds, which totaled $276,823. The oils and watercolors which were sold at auction brought a profit, above expenses, of $106,831 and the prints and engravings $15,721. Under the will it was directed that these latter art objects should be offered to two employees at $30,000. These refused to accept the offer.
Most of the valuable paintings held by Mr. Schaus were disposed of before his death. Among those which were sold at auction and the prices they brought were: "Edge of the Forest," by N. Diaz, $6,000; "Morning," by Jules Dupre, $3,200; "La Berger," by Charles Jacques, $5,800; "Arab Cavaliers," by A. Schreyer, $5,800; and "Le Matin," by Corot, $2,700.
That the art dealer, whose home and gallery were filled with valuable paintings, was of very simple tastes in private life, was shown by the appraisal of his jewelry and the furnishings of his home at 2,103 Fifth Avenue, valued at $316 and $436, respectively. The only realty he possessed was his residence, valued at $11,000.
Previous to his death the United States Government brought suit against the art dealer for $50,000, claimed as unpaid duty on imported art objects. This was settled, but the amount was not disclosed in the appraisal. After giving his daughters, brothers, and sisters life estates in trust funds ranging from $50,000 top $10,000, he bequeathed the residuary estate of $193,343 to his wife Sophie J. Schaus. The will contest of his daughter was settled out of court.
Newport Daily News
September 4, 1951
Mrs. Hermann Schaus,
Jamestown Colonist, Dies
Funeral services for Mrs. Sophie Bates (Johnson) Schaus of Jamestown, who died early Sunday morning at "Belcour" her summer home, after a long illness, were held this morning from St. Mark's Church. The Rev. John C. Ford, S. J. Boston College officiated at the high mass of requiem. The Rev. John F. Farrell assistant pastor, was in the sanctuary.
Mrs. Schaus, daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. John B. Johnson, was born in St. Louis in 1869. She resided there until the death of her first husband, Alfred H. Jones, attorney, in 1901.
She married Hermann Schaus, New York art dealer in 1906 when she moved to New York to make her home. Mr. Schaus died in 1911 and Mrs. Schaus returned to St. Louis. She was a summer resident of Jamestown for sixty-five years.
Several years ago she built a winter home on Standish road, Shoreby Hill, and became a permanent resident of the island. She was a communicant of St Mark's Church.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter, Alfred H. Jones., of Pennington, N. J. and Mrs. Emilie Jones McCarthy of Pawling, N. Y., children of her former marriage and Hermann Schaus Jr., of Boston. Three Grandchildren also survive.
Burial will take place Wednesday in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis.
Children of Sophie Bates Johnson and Alfred H. Jones:
Alfred H. Jones.
Emilie Jones, born November 1897; married _____ McCarthy.
John J. Jones, born October 1899, died January 6, 1943.
Children of Sophie Bates Johnson and Hermann Schaus:
