The farming community at the present day is largely made up of men of more than ordinary intelligence. Among those of Menominee Township is conspicuous the subject of this biography, who owns and operates a well-regulated estate on section 1. His early years were characterized by industry and economy, and he is now surrounded by all of life's comforts, with a prospect of a sufficiency in the future for his declining years.

A native of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, our subject was born Sept. 11. 1834. and is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Mussel) Thiltgen. who were of pure German ancestry, and people generally well-to-do and highly respected. The mother was the daughter of Peter and Barbara (Lattein) Mussel, the latter of whom had a brother. Frank Joseph Lattein, who served as ruler of the Grand Duchy of Baden; the certificate of his appointment bearing the date April 26. 1758, and may still be seen among the records of the city of Rastadt. The father of our subject, in his native Germany, occupied himself as a weaver. The family, as far back as the records go, were, on both sides of the house, adherents of the Catholic faith, and christened in the church at Luxemburg. The five sons of Jacob and Elizabeth Thiltgen were named respectively: John P., our subject; Nicholas, Peter, John, and Frank; all born in Germany. Our subject, as the eldest son, was the first one to leave the parental roof, and determined to seek his fortunes on the other side of the Atlantic. lie set sail from the port of Havre de Grace, France, in April, 1857, and after arriving in New York City came directly to this county, and for twelve years thereafter employed himself at his trade of shoemaking. He finally decided to invest his capital in land, and purchased his present farm of 160 acres on section 1, in Menominee Township. To this he has since given his undivided attention, bringing the soil to a fine state of cultivation, and erecting the buildings necessary for the prosecution of his calling, and the comfort of his family.

The 9th of September, 1859, witnessed the marriage of our subject with Miss Catherine, daughter of Rarnhart and Maggie (Kaiser) Greenwald. Their union was blessed with fourteen children, nine of whom are living, namely: Barbara, Mary (Mrs. Frank Aviltzins), John, Frank, Nicholas, Charles, William, Anna, and Lizzie. Mr. Thiltgen is an independent voter, giving his suffrage always to the man most competent to fill the office. He is the present Treasurer of the School Board of his district, and is also Commissioner of Highways. He has never been desirous of making; any great stir in the world, rightly deeming it sufficient honor to have built up a homestead, which will remain a monument to his industry and perseverance long after he has been gathered to his fathers.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)