Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Theiler, John 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 7, 2007, 11:48 pm

Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record

JOHN THEILER, who was engaged in business in Joliet since 1857, was born in 
Canton Luzerne, Hassle Amt Entlebuch, Switzerland, December 8, 1829, a son of 
John and Barbara (Wicke) Theiler, also natives of that canton.  In 1847 his 
father brought the family to the United States and settled in Chicago, where 
he died seven years later, at fifty-four years of age. His wife also died in 
that city.  They were the parents of six sons and four daughters, nine of whom 
came to America and four are now living. Two of the sons, John and Joseph, 
make their home in Joliet, and another son, Anthony, is a farmer near Troy, 
this state.  An uncle (Anthony) is still living in Switzerland, and is now 
eighty-five years of age.  The grandfather, John Theiler, was a farmer in 
Canton Luzerne, where preceding generations also lived. So far as known, all 
members of the family have been Roman Catholics.
 
While still a mere boy, our subject began to make his own way in the world.  
His first occupation was as a farm hand.  In 1847 he accompanied his parents 
on the sailing vessel "Boston," from Havre to New York, landing after a voyage 
of thirty-five days.  From New York he proceeded up the Hudson to Albany, 
thence by canal to Buffalo, and from there by boat to Chicago.  Going out on 
the prairie, he helped to put up hay.  Later he worked in a packing-house, 
then in a lime-kiln.  The fall of 1850 found him in Joliet, and during the 
winter he worked in George Woodruff's distillery at Three Points.  In the 
spring he went back to Chicago, then returned to Joliet in the fall.  In 1853 
he settled permanently in this county, buying a farm on North Broadway, which 
later became Saengerbund park.  For three years he made his home on that 
place, meantime improving and cultivating its fifty acres.  He then sold, and 
opened the store which he has since conducted.  Until 1862 his location was on 
North Hickory street, but he then bought a store at No. 110 South Bluff 
street, and later built on adjoining ground, so that now he has a frontage of 
seventy-five feet and a depth of eighty feet, with four floors.  This large 
business has been built up through his energy, perseverance and determination.

In 1892 Mr. Theiler assisted in incorporating the E. Porter Brewing Company, 
of which he has since been a stockholder and director.  He has a number of 
valuable real-estate interests, among these being fifteen acres of his old 
farm on North Broadway, now known as Theiler park.  He also owns twenty-two 
acres adjoining City park, and easy of access via the West park street cars 
and the Rock Island Railroad.  This property he expects to plat and sell in 
lots.  Until 1896 he adhered to the regular Democratic organization, but its 
adoption of a silver plank caused him to join the ranks of the gold-standard 
Democrats. For two terms he served as alderman from the old Twenty-third (now 
the Third) ward.  For many years he has been treasurer of the Saengerbund.  At 
one time he served as president of the Sharpshooters' Association, and he has 
taken a number of prizes for his skill as a marksman. His membership is in St. 
John's Roman Catholic Church, but he also attends and supports St. Patrick's.

The marriage of Mr. Theiler, in Joliet, united him with Miss Lizzie Fender, 
who was born on the Rhine in Alsace, and in 1846 came to Joliet in company 
with her father, Michael Fender, who was a gardener here.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Theiler had five children who attained mature years.  Of these, John, who was 
a prominent business man of Joliet, died in February, 1899, and Joseph is now 
a merchant of this city.  The daughters are Mrs. Mary Scheit, Mrs. Louisa 
Wenner, and Lizzie, also of this city.

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

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