George Schuster in 1964

THE MAN

GEORGE N. SCHUSTER, SR. 

George N. Schuster was born on February 4, 1873.  His father, Casper Schuster a German immigrant, was a blacksmith living on South Park Avenue in Buffalo, NY.  Working with his father, he acquired many mechanical abilities which he would use to great advantage during the epic six month race in 1908.  Growing up during the bicycle craze of the late 1800’s, Schuster was an avid cyclist.  He competed in bicycle races traveling to Erie, PA and Rochester, no small task in pre-auto America. 

In his twenties, Schuster worked for a cycle shop.  In October 1902 he began building radiators for the E.R. Thomas Motor Company located on Niagara Street in Buffalo.  In his career with the Thomas Motor Company, Schuster advanced to mechanic and finally, chief road tester.  In that capacity he accompanied cars to their owners, often teaching them how to drive and maintain the newly acquired Thomas.  The competitive spirit Schuster had for cycling was transferred with great enthusiasm to auto racing.  He participated in the 1906, 1907, and 1909 Glidden Tours, always driving a Thomas.   

E. R. Thomas’s decision to enter the 1908 New York to Paris Race was made at the last moment.  Schuster was in Providence, RI on February 11, when E. R. Thomas called to ask him to participate.  He immediately took a train to New York City, arriving just in time for the start of the Race.  A Thomas Flyer had been taken from the Central Park showroom floor.  The only time he saw his family during the Race was an the overnight in Buffalo. 

Beginning as mechanic, Schuster became the driver in charge of the Thomas Flyer when it reached San Francisco. He was the only one of the crew to travel the entire route from New York City to Paris on the Thomas.  He was the first person to drive an automobile across the United States in the winter.  Few people believed the cars would reach Chicago much less San Francisco.  It must be remembered that there were few roads in 1908, most of which were dirt.  Often the car traveled where no roads existed.  The Schuster record for the New York to Paris automobile race route still remains unbroken today, 100 years later!   

The mechanical skills he learned from his father held him in good stead as he made repairs to the Thomas in mid-Siberia using what ever was available.  Often he had to use self-taught celestial navigation skills when no maps or roads were present.  Frequently Schuster had to convince the crew which way to go and, at one point, needed the help of his pistol.  He had great creativity for solving problems in some very tight situations.   

George Schuster returned home to a hero’s welcome in New York City with a great procession up Broadway.  He drove the car and crew to Sagamore Hill to meet President Roosevelt.  Schuster returned to Buffalo where he continued working for the Thomas Auto Company until it closed in 1914, a victim of Henry Ford’s mass production and the insurmountable financial cost of the 1908 race.  He then worked for the Pierce Arrow Company accompanying trucks worldwide until about 1920.   

At this point, Schuster moved to Springville with his wife, Rose, Son George, Jr., and daughter Helen.  He opened a Dodge dealership at the corner of North Buffalo and Church Streets and purchased a home on Prospect Avenue.  He operated the dealership until the late 1930’s.  During World War Two, Schuster served as a security guard for Winfield Smith in Springville, carrying the pistol he used during the Race.   

Schuster was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He was an early member of Springville Field and Stream and remained physically active through his 90’s.  In his later years he lived with his son, George Jr.  Often he could be seen shoveling snow at their East Avenue address.  

At the age of 99, George N. Schuster died on July 4, 1972.  He is buried in the Maplewood Cemetery in Springville, NY. 

The 1908 New York to Paris Automobile Race was an epic test of men and machines which took 169 day to complete.  Details abut the race itself, as well as George’s role in the restoration of the Thomas Flyer can be found at www.TheGreatAutoRace.com hosted by his great grandson, Jeff Mahl.

copyright Concord Historical Society 2005