Wilhelm Scholz was born in Germany in 1824. When he was twenty-four he began working for the recently established Kladderadatsch journal. In the first few years Scholz was virtually the only artist employed by the journal. He was later joined by Gustav Brandt and together they helped to create the overall visual appearance of Kladderadatsch.

Scholz never wrote his own captions and his cartoons reflected the views of the owners of Kladderadatsch. The journal was critical of the German government and favoured moderate reform. Although in favour of free speech, Scholz's cartoons were very hostile to socialism.

Scholz also worked for other journals such as Krakeher and the Grossmaul. Wilhelm Scholz, who contributed to Kladderadatsch for over forty years, died in 1893.