SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

August Trilling, Page 708

AUGUST TRILLING, an early settler, at one time a prominent business man of Sheboygan, was born in Westphalia, Germany, October 8, 1840.  He came to America in 1852, with his parents, who made their home at Sheboygan.  There he attended school and clerked for his father, who was a merchant.  In 1860, when twenty years old, he went to Houghton, Mich., and spent a year and a-half in the copper regions.

    On the 13th of January, 1863, he was married to Mary, a daughter of Joseph Sommersperger, who was born in Bavaria, and emigrated to America with his parents in 1852.  She died in May 1868, leaving three children:  Edward and Otto J., both residents of Sheboygan, and August, deceased.  Otto is now an attorney and Justice of the Peace, of whom see sketch.

    On the 26th of January, 1870, Mr. Trilling was married, in Menasha, Wis., to Julia Schrader, who was born in Wernigerode, Germany, and was a daughter of Gottfried Schrader.  Eleven children were burn of the latter union, namely:  Joseph, Antonia, Frank, Edmund and August (twins), Alphonso and Percival (twins), Guido, Hilda and Villa (twins), and Hugo.  Of these children Edmund and Villa are deceased.  Mrs. Trilling died June 7, 1893.

    On his return from Michigan, Mr. Trilling engaged in merchandising, having a general Store, which he carried on from 1863 to 1887.  He also built some good buildings and accumulated considerable property, but reverses overtook him and he lost heavily.

    In his religious views, Mr. Trilling is a Catholic.  He is a Democrat in politics and has filled various offices, having served as Supervisor three years, as Alderman for two years, Poor-master one year, Justice of the Peace for eight years, Police Judge one year, and City Treasurer four years.