SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Hon. Carl Zillier, Page 624

HON. CARL ZILLIER, President of the National Demokrat Printing Company, and one of the most prominent and widely known of Sheboygan's citizens, was born in Halberstadt, Germany, April 18, 1838, and is a son of Andrew and Julia (Franke) Zillier.  At the age of eleven years he emigrated with his parents to the United States, coming direct to Sheboygan, where they arrived June 5, 1849.  He had attended school in the Old Country, and after coming to Sheboygan attended here as opportunity offered.  At the age of sixteen years he began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Macoupin County Statesman, at Carlinville, Ill.  From there he went to Petersburg, Ill., in 1854, and helped to start the first newspaper in Menard County.  In 1855 he returned to Sheboygan and worked as a compositor in the offices of the Journal and Republican.  In September, 1857, he bought out the Republican and established the National Demokrat, which he has built up to be the leading German paper in the State, outside of Milwaukee.

    On the 6th of May, 1889, in company with others, our subject incorporated the Nation Demokrat Printing Company, of which he was chosen President; Nicholas Ewerhard was chosen Vice-President, and Frank Gottsacker, Secretary, Treasurer and manager.  The paper is steadily Democratic.

    In politics, Mr. Zillier is an earnest-working Democrat and has been called to hold various public offices of honor and trust.  In 1860 he was chosen City Clerk; in 1862 was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly, was re-elected and served during the years 1863-64.  He was City Comptroller two terms.  He has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors from 1877 to 1894, excepting for three years, and has filled the office of Chairman of that body all these years.  He is now holding that position, having been elected on a virtually unanimous vote.  In August, 1886, he received the appointment of Postmaster at Sheboygan, under President Cleveland, and served until January, 1891.

    Our subject was active in securing the establishment at Sheboygan of the Sheboygan County Chronic Insane Asylum, and by virtue of his office as Chairman of the County Board wielded a strong influence in its favor.  Mr. Zillier has served for several years as President of the Board of Trustees of that institution.

    On the 23d of November, 1859, Mr. Zillier was married, in Sheboygan, to Miss Julia Freeman.  Mrs. Zillier was born in Canada, of English parentage.  They have eight children, four sons and four daughters.  Birdie Lenora, the eldest, died at the age of eleven; Beatrice Isabel is the wife of Fred Koehn, Jr.; Carl Reginald married Julia Schmidt, and is a member of the firm of Scott & Zillier, liverymen; the younger members are Hilda, Fred William, Theodore, Julian, Carlie and Norah.  Mrs. Zillier and her eldest daughter are members of the Episcopal Church.

    Socially, Mr. Zillier is a member of Schiller Lodge No. 68, I. O. O. F., and a charter member of Evergreen Camp No. 41.  During the administration of the office of City Comptroller, he, by judicious management and correct business methods, brought the financial standing of the city, for the first time in its existence, up to a cast basis, so that city orders that had formerly been at a discount were held at their face value in cash, which has since been the rule.  Consequently, all contracts since made where the city was a party have been made on more favorable terms than formerly, making an important saving to the taxpayers.

    It is no flattery to say of Mr., Zillier that he is a journalist of acknowledged ability, and that under his management the National Demokrat has been ably conducted, and has been a potent factor in politics and in support of local enterprise and public improvements.

    As a public officer, Mr. Zillier has ever proved himself competent and faithful in the discharge of every duty.  His long continuance as the presiding officer of the County Board is a compliment to his executive ability and able management of public business.