Mathias Theurer was of European birth, born in the
kingdom of Wurttemberg, October 15, 1829, and was twenty-one years of age
when he came to this country, landing in New York City on June 29, 1851,
after a tempestuous voyage, the sailing vessel on which he came over
requiring three months to make the passage. The vessel was cast upon the
rocks not far out of harbor but the passengers were all taken off safely.
For about two years after his arrival here Mathias Theurer worked in a
brickyard in New York and then joined his parents, John George Theurer and
wife, who meanwhile had come to this country with the other members of the
family and had located at Marion, Ohio. Not long afterward the Theurer's
came over into Indiana and settled in this county, John G. Theurer buying a
tract of eighty acres in Madison township, where the family home was
established. Mathias Theurer took up farming upon his arrival here and in
the spring of 1854 was married. He continued farming after his marriage and
after his father's death bought the interests of the other heirs in his
father's estate and thus became the owner of the home "eighty." To this
tract he later added until he was the owner of a good farm of 180 acres.
Mathias Theurer was twice married. On March 25, 1854, not long after his
arrival in Jay county, he was united in marriage to Sarah Kurtz and to this
union were born five children, those besides the subject of this sketch
[Jacob] having been Mrs. Justina Wigger, who died in November, 1919; Tobias,
who is still living in this county; Mrs. Caroline Heiby, of Ft. Recovery,
Ohio, and John G. Theurer, of this county. The mother of these children died
on June 8, 1868, and on November 30, 1868, Mathias Theurer married Rosenna
Klingel, of this county. To this union three children were born, all of whom
are living, namely: Sarah, Mrs. Mary Griesinger and Mrs. Emma Abel. Mrs.
Rosenna Theurer died on February 28, 1919, and Mathias Theurer afterward
made his home with his children, chiefly with Mrs. John Heiby and Jacob
Theurer, the remainder of his life, his death occurring on November 13,
1921, he then being at the great age of ninety-two years and twenty-eight
days. He was for years one of the leaders in the Lutheran church at
Salamonia and his children were reared in that faith.
Snipped from the biography of son Jacob Theurer in Milton T. Jay, M.D.,
History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol.
II, pp.289-290. Transcribed by Eloine Chesnut