JOHN WILLER

John Willer, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Tipton, was born near Pomeroy in Meigs county, Ohio, on the 10th of July, 1861, and comes of good old German stock. His father, George Willer, was a native of Bavaria, born in Frankenthal, the city of Edigheim, Germany, February 23, 1827. The latter’s parents were Michael and Mary (Kaiser) Willer, who brought their family to America in 1839 and settled near Pomeroy, Ohio. Their children were: George, the father of our subject, Katharine, Mary, Wendell, Peter, John and Minnie. All now are deceased with the exception of John, who resides in Moville, Iowa, and Mrs. Mary Sauvage, a resident of Colorado.

George Willer was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America and in the Buckeye state he grew to manhood, making his home there until his removal to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1865. Here he located on a farm south of Tipton and throughout the remainder of his active business life devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. In early life he was employed as a laborer for several years and for four years worked in a rolling mill, but the greater part of his time was given to farming. He prospered in his undertakings and on his retirement from active labor was the owner of four hundred and eighty-five acres of well improved land in this county.

Before leaving Ohio, George Willer was married on the 3d of January, 1852, to Miss Julia Thress, who was born in Manndel, city of Kreutznacht, Prussia, Germany, June 21, 1826, her parents being Jacob and Katharine (Thress) Thress. She was one of a family of five children, the others being: John, who lives near Cincinnati, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Ohlinger, of Pomeroy, Ohio; Philip, deceased; and Mrs. Katharine Rider, also deceased. It was in 1849 that the Thress family came to the new world, settling in Ohio, and the parents remained residents of that state until their death, their home being near Pomeroy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Willer were born the following children: Mary, the wife of Jacob Marquart of Lawton, Woodbury county, Iowa; Julia, who is with her mother in Tipton; Wendell, of Center township, this county; John, whose name introduces this review; Minnie, the wife of Jacob Pfarr, of Center township; Peter, whose home is near Tipton, in Center township; Emma, who died September 27, 1876, at the age of eight years, five months and twenty-seven days; and four who died in infancy. The mother of these children is still living and now resides in Tipton, but the father died in that city, December 24, 1897. His parents also passed away in this county.

John Willer was but four years of age on the removal of the family to Cedar county, Iowa, and on the home farm two miles southwest of Tipton he grew to manhood, receiving a good, practical education in the country schools of the neighborhood and acquiring an excellent knowledge of farm work while assisting his father in the operation of the home place. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage and then removed to his present farm threemiles south of Tipton. His father owned a quarter section of land and in partnership with hisbrothers, Wendell and Peter, he purchased one hundred acres adjoining, and together they operated both places for some time. Later they bought a two hundred and forty acre tract east of town and continued in partnership for some time but finally divided the property and our subject today owns four hundred and seventeen acres of very productive and well improved land three miles south of Tipton. He continued to reside upon his farm until March, 1908, when he removed to Tipton, having previously erected a fine residence in that city. He is still interested in farming, however, operating his land in partnership with another gentleman, and together they are engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred Angus cattle. They raise a fine grade of stock and have won many premiums at the home fair.

It was on the 21st of February, 1889, that Mr. Willer was united in marriage to Miss Carrie B. Bossert, who was born in Tipton, November 7, 1866, a daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Kaiser) Bossert of Tipton. They now have but one child, Eva May, who was born in Center township, June 3, 1891. The parents are both earnest members of the Reformed church of Tipton and although their residence in the city has been of short duration, they have already made manyfriends here and have an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the county. Upright and honorable in all his dealings with his fellowmen, Mr. Willer has won their confidence and truly deserves mention among the representative and prominent citizens of the county.