Otto William Schwartz

Who was Otto William Schwartz?

Otto William Schwartz was a Russian-born fur trader and political figure of German descent in Nova Scotia. He represented Lunenburg County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1773 to 1785.

He was born Otho Wilhelm Schwartz near Riga. Schwartz entered the fur trade and, in 1749, came to Halifax with Edward Cornwallis. The following year, he married Anna Justina Liebrich, a widow. In 1760, Schwartz was named "Furrier for the Indian Commerce". His business prospered and he acquired large tracts of land. Schwartz was captain in the militia, served on the grand jury at Halifax and was a commissioner of sewers for Falmouth township. He helped found a church for people of German descent in the Halifax area, known as "the little Dutch church". Schwartz died in Halifax at the age of 70. His remains are believed to have been buried in the a crypt under the church.