He caused an important bridge to be built across the Savannah River at Augusta, Georgia, and founded the town of Hamburg, South Carolina.

Shultz was born Klaus Hinrich Klahn in the village of Dahme on the Baltic coast of Holstein, when this duchy was in personal union with the kingdom of Denmark.

These carried upcountry produce such as tobacco (and later, cotton) to Savannah, Georgia, and returned with manufactured items such as metal goods, paper, and cloth.

[2] In 1814 he engaged the support of a 'mechanic' named Lewis Cooper, secured financing, and drove the construction of a Savannah River bridge at Augusta.

[6] As revenge, Shultz enlisted the support of property owners on the opposite side of the river, and in 1821 founded the town of Hamburg, South Carolina.

The town grew quickly and by the end of 1821 had 84 houses and 200 inhabitants, directly competing with Augusta in its role as an upriver trading point.

Shultz ruled the town as its 'proprietor' and worked continuously to improve it by constructing buildings, streamlining its water and road connections, and encouraging the opening of a bank.

Playing on the theme of retaining South Carolina commerce within the State, he successfully appealed to the legislature for tax exemptions and loans, that he used to buy a steamboat and construct buildings.