Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Theiler, John, Jr ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 7, 2007, 11:40 pm Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record JOHN THEILER, Jr. In every life there is some trait of character that individualizes its possessor. In Mr. Theiler this was found in his passionate devotion to music. With a natural talent for the art, added to and increased by study under the best teachers, he became himself a musician of rare ability and was said to be the finest pianist in Illinois. Music was his soul, and in its study he passed the happiest hours of his life. For years he was organist at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, after which for a time he held a similar position at St. John's. When only seventeen he was able to direct a saengerbund satisfactorily, and for twenty-five years he held the position of director of the Joliet Saengerbund, but, on account of failing eyesight, resigned the year before he died, although he still continued to be a prominent member. By the members of the organization he was loved as a friend, and his services, given without expectation of financial returns, were deeply appreciated. He was director of the saengerfests held in Joliet in 1884 and 1893, which were the most successful affairs of the kind ever held in the city, and were participated in by members of singing societies from every part of the state. In each of these organizations he served as state director. He also took a prominent part in saengerfests held in other states. A son of John Theiler, Sr., our subject was born in this city August 3, 1858. He was educated in Teutopolis (Ill.) College and St. Vincent's in Pennsylvania. When sixteen years of age he began to learn the business in which his father engaged, and about 1884 he was made a partner, the firm name being John Theiler & Son. In 1892 his father retired and the name was changed to Theiler Brothers. In 1897 John sold to his brother and started for himself, on the corner of Jefferson and Chicago streets, where he built up a large trade. He was a prominent official in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and for many years was chief ranger in the order of Foresters. From 1879 until his death he was connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. At different times he served as secretary and treasurer of the Sharpshooters Association, in which he won many medals for fine marksmanship. A man of public spirit, he aided local enterprises. Politically he was a gold Democrat. When twenty-one years of age he was elected assistant supervisor, which office he held for four years. In religion he was identified with St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and after his death, which occurred February 28, 1899, of la grippe, his body was laid to rest in the cemetery of this church. May 9, 1892, in Joliet, Mr. Theiler married Miss Theresa Flick, who was born in this city, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Seiter) Flick, natives respectively of Alsace, Germany, and Lancaster, Pa. Her father was two years old when his mother died and eight at the time of the death of his father, Xavier Flick, M. D. Three years later he came alone to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, where he learned the wagon-maker's trade. For a period of four years he worked at his trade in the navy yards at Brooklyn, N. Y. Then going to Sidney, Ohio, he started a wagon shop of his own. His next location was Freyburg, Allen (now Auglaize) County, where he carried on a shop until his removal to Joliet, in 1857. In this city he started a boarding house. After a time he bought property, built on it, and continued here until his death, in March, 1872, at fifty-four years. The marriage of Mr. Flick, in Freyburg, Ohio, in 1840, united him with Elizabeth Seiter, who was born at Millerstown, Lancaster County, Pa., September 30, 1821. Her father, Jarvis Seiter, a native of Baden, Germany, was a weaver of woolens and linens in Millerstown, whence in 1831 he removed to Freyburg, Ohio, and settled on land that he converted into a valuable farm. He died there when fifty-two years of age. His wife, Mary (Wise) Seiter, was born in Baden, Germany, and came with her father to this country, settling in Lancaster County, Pa. Mrs. Elizabeth Flick was one of seven children, of whom three daughters survive, she being the oldest and the only one in Joliet. From ten years of age she was reared in Ohio. While she lacked educational advantages she became a good business woman, and successfully conducted a boarding house in Joliet until 1898. She is still interested in property in Freyburg, Ohio, where she and her husband bought land and platted an addition. She was the mother of five children: Joseph, deceased; Mrs. Mary Adler; Helen, wife of Louis Bellay; Mrs. Lizzie Lux, and Mrs. Theresa Theiler. Joseph G. Flick was the only son. He was educated in Freyburg, Ohio. He came to Joliet with his parents and resided here until his death. He married Catharine Shey, now of Chicago. They were the parents of two children now living: Theresa, and Pius P. Flick, who is a businessman of Chicago, and manager of the Granada Hotel in that city. A notable fact in the history of the Flick family is that for seven generations only one son reached maturity, the last one being Pius P. Flick. Mrs. Theresa Theiler was born at the family home, No. 116 South Bluff street, received her education in St. Francis' Academy, and from early life was an active member of St. John's Church, with which she is now connected. Her only son, John F., died at the age of one year. Upon the death of her husband she disposed of the business in which he had engaged. She is a lady of generous disposition, charitable and kind-hearted, and willing to assist philanthropic enterprises and worthy people in need of aid. Additional Comments: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/theiler1665nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 6.5 Kb