John Battista Guttmann was born on October 16, 1839 in Munich, Germany, the son of Simon Guttmann. There, he was raised and educated until he reached his country's military age. Entering the Bavarian Army, he served for two years until the Second Schleswig War of 1864. It was also known as the German-Danish War and was a military conflict between the German Confederation and the Kingdom of Denmark. During one major battle, Guttmann was severely wounded in his leg and right arm during the fighting. The war ended with the defeat of Denmark, but conflict soon erupted between the two victorious powers of Austria and Prussia. Eventually, they came to blows with each other in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Due to his previous wounds, Guttmann was forced to retire that same year. Whether the wars played a factor or not is unknown, but regardless Guttmann decided to immigrate to America in 1866. He spent a year in New York before landing in Montgomery, Alabama where he went to work for the Harris & Hoyt Jewelry Company.
Two years later, he moved on to Texas where he took a job as a civilian scout for the U.S. Army under the overall command of General George Armstrong Custer. During this period, Custer and his regiment were kept busy chasing the Cheyennes, Comanches, Kiowas, and Arapahos all over the southern plains. After three and a half years, Guttmann returned to Montgomery to marry Miss Adelaide Sutter (1851-1922) in 1872. However, four years later on June 25, 1876, his former commander and 210 of his troopers were wiped out by the Cheyenne and Sioux at "Custer's Last Stand."
In the meantime, after Guttman arrived in Pensacola he relied on his former military experience to help organize a company of the Florida State Militia called the "Pensacola Guards." As its Captain, he helped recruit and equip the company at his own expense. He would eventually become a Major with the First Regiment and by 1883, he was the Inspector of the 1st Brigade, commanded by Colonel S. A. Moreno of Pensacola. During this period, he also became a member of the staffs of Governor William Dunnington Bloxham in 1881 followed by Governor Edward Aylesworth Perry in 1885. To add to his resume, he was also the president of the Escambia board of health and was elected County Commissioner from 1893-94. He also holds the distinction of becoming the first Democratic county treasurer of Escambia County. At one time during this period, he would again try his hand at the jewelry business before transitioning into stevedoring in 1900 followed by the lumber trade in 1910.
On October 28, 1920, this accomplished citizen of Pensacola passed away and was buried in St. John's Cemetery. Adelaide would continue living in the family home at 607 North Barcelona Street until her own death in 1928.
John Battista Guttmann,
First Regiment, Florida State Militia
John B. Guttman, former County
Commissioner and Governor's Staff
John Battista Guttmann Jr. (1884-1952)
The Guttman Home at 607 North Barcelona Street. Home was demolished years ago.
General George Armstrong Custer of the 7th Cavalry
Wiped out by the Sioux Indians June 25, 1876