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LOUIS FALLER. As a representative business man and one of Jasper county's most public-spirited citizens, Louis Faller, of the large milling firm of Faller Brothers, has been prominently identified with the development and material prosperity of the city of Newton. He is a native of this city, and was born February 5, 1864, a son of Bernard and Elizabeth (Theriach) Faller.
Bernard Faller was born at Barr, Alsace, France (now Germany), July 13, 1822, and in 1839 accompanied his five brothers to the United States, settling first on a farm in Fox township, Jasper county, Illinois. After a short period he removed to Chicago and obtained employment as a tanner, a trade he had learned in his native country, and subsequently sought to enlist in the army for service during the Mexican war, but on arriving at St. Louis found that the war had closed, and instead joined a party which was en route for the gold
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fields of California. After remaining in that state for about four years, during which he met with gratifying success, Mr. Faller came back to Newton, where he was married in 1854 to Miss Elizabeth Theriach, a lady of Vincennes, Indiana, of French descent, whose people were among the first settlers of that old city. Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Faller, namely: Anthony, M. D., who is deceased; James, a retired citizen of Newton; Frank, who died in infancy; Henry, who is engaged in the real estate business at Newton; Thomas, who is deceased; Florent, a prosperous grocer of Newton; Louis; Francis, who is the manager of a sawmill in Arkansas; Josephine, residing at home; Helena, who is a sister, known as Sister Francis DeSales, in St. Joseph's Hospital, at Kansas City, Missouri; Bernard, who is deceased; Stella, residing at home; Hubert, a barber of Newton; and Charles, who is a member of the firm of Faller Brothers. After his marriage Bernard Faller resided for a short time on a farm, and in 1858 came to Newton and organized the Newton Steam Mill, which he erected. Two years later the Newton Water Mills was built and the mill is still in operation, although the original building burned in 1877 and was rebuilt the same year by Mr. Faller. This business claimed Mr. Faller's activities until his death in 1888. He was widely known, and held various positions of importance in Newton, serving capably on the village and school boards and in other capacities. Squire Faller was a Democrat, and was a stockholder in the People's Bank of Newton, of which he was for some time president. He died in the faith of the Roman Catholic church, of which his widow, who survives him and is seventy-three years of age, is also a member.
The early life of Louis Faller was spent in Newton, where he secured a public school education. In 1875 he went to work in the old mill, and he has since engaged in that line of enterprise. The present firm of Faller Brothers, which bears a high reputation in this section, was organized in 1903 by Mr. Faller and his brother, Charles, they buying up the shares of the other stockholders and dissolving the old corporation. Five men are employed in producing 144 barrels of flour daily, and the well-known "Stella" and "White Lily" brands are manufactured. Mr. Faller is a man of marked discrimination and tact, and his careful regard for the highest ethics of business has gained for him uniform confidence and esteem and a patronage which is the natural sequence of correct methods. Politically a Democrat, he has served as a member of the city council, maintains a thoroughly public-spirited attitude and is held in high esteem by all who know him in both business and social circles. He and Mrs. Faller are members of the Catholic church, and he belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Court of Honor, the Modern Americans and the Newton Commercial Club. In 1895 Mr. Faller was married to Miss Josephine P. Shackmann, of Newton, and eight children have been born to them, three of whom are living, namely: Louise, Elizabeth and Florant. Charles Faller was married in 1904 to Miss Molly F. Sullender. They have no children.