Timber Businessman. Born in Niedersaulheim, Germany, he emigrated to America in 1852 and worked as a laborer in Erie, Pennsylvania. After marrying Elizabeth Bladel, he moved to Illinois where he found work in a sawmill. Weyerhaeuser saved as much money as he could and in 1857 managed to buy a sawmill and timber yard in Rock Island. The business was a great success and he acquired additional sawmills on the shores of the Mississippi. He also purchased large forests in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. By the end of the 19th century, Weyerhaeuser owned more timberland than any other American. As the head of the Weyerhaeuser Lumbar Company, which he founded with brother-in-law Frederick Denkmann, he was a man with strong humanitarian principles, and showed a greater concern for his work-force than most other employers. At the time of his death, he was one of the wealthiest men in the United States. He is buried with several family members, including his wife, and other in-laws, including Thomas B. Davis, president of the Rock Island Plow Company and husband of Appolonia Denkmann, and Samuel S. Davis, husband of Appolonia Weyerhaeuser.
Timber Businessman. Born in Niedersaulheim, Germany, he emigrated to America in 1852 and worked as a laborer in Erie, Pennsylvania. After marrying Elizabeth Bladel, he moved to Illinois where he found work in a sawmill. Weyerhaeuser saved as much money as he could and in 1857 managed to buy a sawmill and timber yard in Rock Island. The business was a great success and he acquired additional sawmills on the shores of the Mississippi. He also purchased large forests in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. By the end of the 19th century, Weyerhaeuser owned more timberland than any other American. As the head of the Weyerhaeuser Lumbar Company, which he founded with brother-in-law Frederick Denkmann, he was a man with strong humanitarian principles, and showed a greater concern for his work-force than most other employers. At the time of his death, he was one of the wealthiest men in the United States. He is buried with several family members, including his wife, and other in-laws, including Thomas B. Davis, president of the Rock Island Plow Company and husband of Appolonia Denkmann, and Samuel S. Davis, husband of Appolonia Weyerhaeuser.
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