Zwisler, Joseph bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 425-426; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Joseph Zwisler. The old adage that practice makes perfect, is fully verified in the case of Mr. Zwisler, who for a period of years running back to 1852, has been steadily engaged as a carpenter and contractor in different places, at the present writing one of the leading men in his trade at Canton. He gives special attention to dwelling houses, and has built some of the handsomest residences in that city.
Our subject was ushered into the drama of life in Bavaria, Germany, on the 1st of March, 1834, being the son of Joseph Anton and Mary Ann (Miltenberger) Zwisler, who was a turner by trade and who lived and died in the Fatherland. Our subject's mother died in the old home in 1870, having attained her seventy-second year; the father being about eighty-four years old at the time of his death in 1876. To them were born five children, all of whom are now living, viz: Franz, a farmer in Germany; Theodore, a stone-mason in the old country; Joseph; Amelia, wife of Valentine Zeller, living in Germany; Angeline, cigar manufacturer in Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Zwisler was educated entirely in Germany, and upon changing the old home for one in the United States, settled first in Dayton, Ohio, where his uncle, Joseph Zwisler, kept an hotel. After remaining with this kinsman for a short time, our subject commenced to work as a carpenter in Miamisburg, near Dayton, and lived there two years, during which time he managed to get a good start at his trade. Coming west he worked for a long time for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and afterward went to Terre Haute, Ind. But when four months had elapsed, Mr. Zwisler came to the State of Illinois, remaining in Springfield a few months, going to Sweetwater at a later date, and locating in Canton on the 8th of August, 1857. During his long residence here, he has won numerous friends, and the esteem of the entire community. Everywhere and among men of every class and nation true merit will find speedy recognition, and a worthy industrious man provided of course he possesses agreeable manners, cannot fail to meet with a cordial reception in any community.
Our subject married Miss Mary Jane Wishon, at Springfield, in 1856. She was born and reared near Chillicothe, Ohio, and is a daughter of Baker and Hannah (Austel) Wishon. To Mr. and Mrs. Zwisler ten children have been born, Louisa, Elmira and Amelia deceased, Charles Theodore, a resident of Canton and a carpenter by trade. He married Miss Nellie McColly, and has one child-Frank; Charlotte, wife of Charles Johnson, a carpenter by trade. They have two children--Ralph and Blanch; Anna, stenographer in Kansas City; Minnie, Nellie, Edwin, and Frank, the latter deceased.
Mr. Zwisler is a Mason, belonging to the lodge in Canton, and is also an Odd Fellow. He belongs to the United Workmen. The subject of our sketch comes from a nation that contributed most generously to the population of the United States, and among the many nationalities found in this country, none are more steady, enterprising and respected citizens than are the Germans. Politically he is a Democrat. Mrs. Zwisler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.