Theodore Weberling, superintendent of the water works and electric light plant of Peru, Illinois, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 7, 1849. His parents were Frederick and Carolina (Groetch) Weberling, who came to the United States in 1853, and located in Peru, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was a carpenter, who worked many years in the Peru Plow and Wheel Works. Both were members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and are held in kindly remembrance. The father died in 1875, and the mother survived him but ten years. They had but two children, the elder, Henry, dying after coming to Peru.
Theodore Weberling was but little more than four years old when he became a resident of Peru. At the age of thirteen he was taken from the public school and placed with a harnessmaker to learn the craft. Here he remained five years, and the succeeding five years were spent as a journeyman at his trade, mostly in Atlanta and Galesburg, both in Illinois. Returning to Peru he opened a saloon, which he personally conducted sixteen years, and in 1891 retired permanently from the business. In 1888 the Peru electric light plant was established, and he was placed in the management of it. Three years later this plant was purchased by the city, and he was continued in the management, while the same year the waterworks were built, and he was made superintendent of them when they were put in operation the following January. About this time he was appointed J:o the office of street commissioner and still holds the several positions, giving to them his whole time and attention, and discharging the duties in a highly satisfactory manner. He favors the Lutheran church, and is a Republican in politics. He is an active worker in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers of the World. He was married in 1878 to Miss Bertha, daughter of Albian Smith, and five children have been born to them, - Antoinette, Alvina, August, Edward and Max.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 196-197.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
 |
Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
