Untitled Document

OBITUARY:

The Rock Island Argus, Monday, April 27, 1914

John Ohlweiler, Ill Since First of Year, Called.

Prominent Citizen and Veteran Makes Losing Fight After Paralytic Stroke. Was A Pioneer Bottler. Saw Distinguished Service in the Civil War, Being With Sherman in March to the Sea. John Ohlweiler, prominent Rock Island business man and civil war veteran, passed away at St. Anthony's hospital at 6 o'clock this morning. He suffered a stroke of paralysis of the throat the first of the year and his condition grew gradually worse until it was found necessary to remove him to the hospital about a week ago. The physician in attendance intended to operate had he improved, but he failed to rally. Mr. Ohlweiler was born Feb. 2, 1843, in Duerkheim, Rheinhessen, Germany. He came to this country and direct to this city in 1860. For some time he followed the coopers' trade. When the civil war broke he espoused the cause of the union and at Rock Island in 1862 he enlisted in Company D, 71st Illinois Infantry. In January, 1864 he reenlisted in Company D, 12th Illinois Infantry and was assigned to the 15th Army Corps. He served in many important engagements, including the battle of Rome's Crossing, Resada, and at Atlanta July 18 and July 28, 1864. The two latter battles were the most severe of the sieqe of Atlanta.

He also took part in the engagements at Jonesboro and Altoona Pass, and at Goldsboro, South Carolina Marched with Sherman. Mr. Ohlerweiler accompanied Sherman in his famous "march to the sea," fighting under that leader in South and North Caroline and Virginia. He was present at the grand review of the victorious troops at Washington, D.C. Later he returned to Springfield and was mustered out, coming from there back to Rock Island. During his long service in the army he was off duty only two days, and although he took part in 14 important battles he never received a wound. After following the coopers' trade for several years subsequent to the war,

Mr. Ohlerweiler started in the bottling business with Henry Carse at Eleventyh street and Fifth avenue. From a small beginning the company has grown until it is one of the largest of its kind in the state. Mr. Ohlerweiler took an active part in the business up until the first of the year, when he was taken ill. Mr. Ohlerweiler married twice, his first wife being Anna Ehlers, whom he wedded Oct. 21, 1867. She preceded him in death in 1897. The couple had no children. His second marriage to Martha Rhowede (Should be Rhoweder) took place at Winona, Wisconsin, Nov 22, 1900. Served as Alderman. Mr. Ohlerweiler served as alderman from the second ward from 1885 to 1886 under Thomas Murdock's administration.

He was a prominent member of Rock Island lodge No. 980, B.P.O.F., the Rock Island Turner Society and John Buford Post GAR. Aside from being fraternally prominent, Mr. Ohlerweiler always took an active part in the city's welfare and leaves a host of friends to mourn his passing. He is survived by his wife, a son, William, an adopted son, John Jr., who is engaged in the bottling business, and an adopted daughter, Mrs. Marvin Beardsley of Trinidad, Colorado. Two sisters living in Brazil, South America, also survive. The funeral will be conducted from the home, 1108 Fourth Avenue, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. John Buford post and the Elks will have charge of the services. Interment will be in the Chippiannock cemetery.

Submitted by Barb Appleby

Illinois Ancestors

020307