Theodore A. Schliessmann (b. 1866, Portage City, Wisconsin) was a successful merchant and co-owner of Schliessmann Brothers, a prominent general merchandise business in Tripp, South Dakota. After moving to Bon Homme County with his family in 1879, Schliessmann helped manage the family farm until 1891, when he partnered with his brother Otto to establish their mercantile firm. The business, originally including their mother, has flourished under their leadership. Both brothers are active Democrats and devout Catholics, with Theodore serving as a church trustee. He married Catherine Rath in 1893, and they had three children: William, Mildred, and Irene.
Theodore A. Schliessmann, senior member of the prominent mercantile firm of Schliessmann Brothers, of Tripp, Hutchinson County, was born in Portage City, Wisconsin, on the 1st of December, 1866. He is the eldest of the three survivors in a family of five children born to John and Mary (Kiehm) Schliessmann, the other two surviving children being Otto, who was born July 13, 1868, and who is associated with the subject in business; and John, who is assistant cashier of the Dakota State Bank, in Tripp. The father was born in Germany, about the year 1834, and when he was seventeen years of age he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, the family locating in Portage City, Wisconsin, where he learned the trade of butcher, to which he devoted his attention for a number of years, continuing to reside in Portage City for some time after his marriage. In 1879 he came with his family to South Dakota, and here he filed entry on homestead and tree claims in Bon Homme County, eight miles south of the present village of Tripp, and there he developed a valuable farm, upon which he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1882. He was a Democrat in his political faith and was a member of the Catholic church, as is also his widow, who now resides in the town of Tripp.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Wisconsin until he had reached the age of twelve years, and such further discipline as has been his has come as the result of self-application and association with the practical duties of life. After the death of his father he and his brothers remained in charge of the home farm until 1890, in the meanwhile having purchased an additional quarter section. In 1888 Otto Schliessmann left the home farm, and during the following three years he was employed as a clerk in mercantile establishments in Alpena, this state, and West Superior, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1891 he returned to his home and soon afterward became associated with the subject of this sketch in the general merchandise business which they have ever since successfully conducted. Under the firm name of Schliessmann Brothers & Company, their mother being the silent member of the firm, the business was carried on until the autumn of 1902, when the two active principals purchased the interest of their mother and have since continued the enterprise under the firm name noted in the opening paragraph of this sketch. The brothers are progressive and reliable young business men and their success comes as a just reward for earnest and honest endeavor. In politics both are adherents of the Democratic party, and their religious faith is that of the Catholic church. All three of the brothers also hold membership in Tripp Camp, No. 5931, Modern Woodmen of America. The immediate subject of this sketch is a member of the board of trustees of the Catholic church, in Tripp, taking a deep interest in all departments of the parish work.
On the 30th of August, 1893, Theodore A. Schliessmann was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Rath, of Tripp, and they have three children, William O., Mildred M. and Irene G.
Otto Schliessmann has been twice married. On the 14th of February, 1895, he wedded Miss Anna Mesmer, of Tripp, who died June 24, 1897, without issue. On the 21st of May, 1903, he married Miss Marie Faust, daughter of John Faust.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.