Theodore A. Schliessmann Biography


	This biography appears on pages 930-931 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	THEODORE A. SCHLIESSMANN, senior member of the prominent 
mercantile firm of Schliessmann Brothers, of Tripp. Hutchinson county, 
was born in Portage City, Wisconsin, on the 1st of December, 1866. He 
is the eldest of the three survivors in a family of five children born 
to John and Mary (Kiehm) Schliessmann, the other two surviving children 
being Otto, who was born July 13, 1868, and who is associated with the 
subject in business; and John, who is assistant cashier of the Dakota 
State Bank, in Tripp. The father was born in Germany, about the year 
1834, and when he was seventeen years of age he accompanied his parents 
on their emigration to America, the family locating in Portage City, 
Wisconsin, where he learned the trade of butcher, to which he devoted 
his attention for a number of years, continuing to reside in Portage 
City for some time after his marriage. In 1879 he came with his family 
to South Dakota, and here he filed entry on homestead and tree claims 
in Bon Homme county, eight miles south of the present village of Tripp, 
and there he developed a valuable farm, upon which he continued to 
reside until his death, which occurred in 1882. He was a Democrat in 
his political faith and was a member of the Catholic church, as is also 
his widow, who now resides in the town of Tripp.  

	The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of 
Wisconsin until he had reached the age of twelve years, and such 
further discipline as has been his has come as the result of self 
application and association with the principal duties of life. After 
the death of his father he and his brothers remained in charge of the 
home farm until 1890, in the meanwhile having purchased an additional 
quarter section. In 1888 Otto Schliessmann left the home farm, and 
during the following three years he was employed as clerk in mercantile 
establishment in Alpena, this state, and West Superior, Wisconsin. In 
the fall of 1891 he returned to his home and soon afterward became 
associated  with the subject of this sketch in the general merchandise 
business which they have ever since successfully conducted. Under the 
firm name of Schliessmann Brothers & Company, their mother being the 
silent member of the firm, the business was carried on until the autumn 
of 1902, when the two active principals purchased the interest of their 
mother and have since continued the enterprise under the firm name 
noted in the opening paragraph of this sketch. The brothers are 
progressive and reliable young business men and their success comes as 
a just reward for earnest and honest endeavor. In politics both are 
adherents of the Democratic party, and their religious faith is that of 
the Catholic church. All three of the brothers also hold membership in 
Tripp Camp, No. 5931, Modern Woodmen of America. The immediate subject 
of this sketch is a member of the board of trustees of the Catholic 
church, in Tripp, taking a deep interest in all departments of the 
parish work.  

	On the 30th of August, 1893, Theodore A. Schliessmann was united 
in marriage to Miss Catherine Rath, of Tripp, and they have three 
children, William O., Mildred M. and Ireine G.  

	Otto Schliessmann has been twice married. On the 14th of 
February, 1895, he wedded Miss Anna Mesmer, of Tripp, who died June 24, 
1897, without issue. On the 21st of May, 1903, he married Miss Marie 
Faust, daughter of John Faust.