Joseph D. Scholtz

Joseph Denunzio Scholtz
Scholtz in July 1939
43rd Mayor of Louisville, Kentucky
In office 1937–1941
Preceded by	Neville Miller
Succeeded by	Wilson W. Wyatt
Personal details
Born	(1890-01-16)January 16, 1890 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	September 25, 1972(1972-09-25) (aged 82) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Resting place	Cave Hill Cemetery Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Cornell University
Occupation	Fruit and produce wholesaler politician
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Major
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Legion of Merit

Joseph Denunzio Scholtz (January 16, 1890 – September 25, 1972) was Mayor of Louisville, Kentucky from 1937 to 1941.

Life

Joseph D. Scholtz graduated from DuPont Manual High School, then Cornell University in 1912. After college he worked in his family's fruit and produce company, the Joseph Denunzio Fruit Company, eventually becoming vice president. He served in World War I and was stationed at Camp Taylor in Louisville.

Scholtz was appointed president of Louisville's Board of Parks in 1933 and was the only Democrat to serve in Republican Mayor William B. Harrison's administration. He became president of the Louisville Water Company in 1935.

He was elected mayor in 1937. During his term a business license tax was enacted and the planning of Standiford Field began, as did the switchover from streetcars to buses in the city. he convinced the Board of Education to increase pay for black teachers in the city's school system.

He left office a week before the Bombing of Pearl Harbor. After directing civil defense in a nine-state area in 1942, he joined the army as a major in 1943 and was sent to North Africa then Italy, where he was a commissioner for the military government. For his services he received the Legion of Merit, the highest non-combat medal awarded.

After the war he served as postmaster of Louisville from 1947 to 1960. He died in 1972 and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.

References

• "Scholtz, Joseph D.". The Encyclopedia of Louisville. 2001.
• Yater, George H. (1987). Two Hundred Years at the Fall of the Ohio: A History of Louisville and Jefferson County (2nd ed.). Louisville, KY: Filson Club, Incorporated. ISBN 0-9601072-3-1.