Bio: Colburn, Cullen Irving & Sophia (Theiler)

Contact: Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Colburn, Theiler, Schroer, Sisco, Rice, Webster

----Source: Newspapers, Cemetery Records, Family Records, Census Records

Colburn, Cullen (22 Apr 1894 - May 1986), Colburn, Sophia (Theiler) (1895 - 1974)

Cemetery Records

Cullen Colburn was born 22 Apr, 1894, the son of Cullen Alva and Martha Sisco (Rice) Colburn.  He married Fred and Elise (Zeller) Theiler's daughter, Sophia, who was born in New Glarius, Wis. 9 Jan 1895.  Sophia was named for her maternal grandmother, the wife of Fred Theiler, Sr.  Sophia had been confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Humbird, Wisconsin, 18 Oct 1908, by Rev. H. W. Schroer.  The Theilers were active members of that church for many years.  Sophia's father was one of the founder of several factories, including the Humbird Cheese Factory.  Fred Theiler also served as chairman of the township.  After graduation, Sophia taught at the Lightfoot elementary school in Mentor Township.

The marriage of Sophia and Cullen took place 22 Feb 1917 in Wisconsin.  They later resided in Chicago, Illinois.  They had one son, Irving Theiler Colburn who was born 10 Mar 1918 and served as a Bombardier Officer, an honored member of Sqdn. 20 at Langley Field, Virginia, in World War II.  His family received a telephone message from Chicago, 18 May 1943, that Irving had been killed in action in North Africa, 11 May, 1943.  He was 24 years old and is buried in Tunis, Africa.  He was among the first of the government forces to arrive in the North African area, having gone to Iceland with the troops, where he was for some time, before being transferred to England for about a year before going to the front.

1905 Wisconsin State Census, Elroy, Juneau, Wisconsin

Name: Cullen J. Colburn, 11 years (1894)
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Relationship to head of household: Son
Race: White
Sex: Male
Place of birth: parent 1: Wisconsin
Place of birth: parent 2: Wisconsin
Family number: 342
Page number: 77
Line number: 14
Household
Head: Cullen A Colburn M 33y
Spouse: Martha S Colburn F 31y
Cullen J Colburn M 11y
Mona Colburn F 8y
Hugh Colburn M 1y
Sister-in-law: Nellie M Webster F 19y (1886, Wis.), both parents b. Wis.

1905 Wisconsin State Census, Mentor, Clark, Wisconsin

Name: Sofia Theiler, 10y (1895)
BirthplMarital status: Single
Place of birth: parent 1: Switzerland
Place of birth: parent 2: Switzerland
Family number: 100
Page number: 311
Line number: 1
Household
Head: Fredrick Theiler M 38y
Parent Elsie Theiler F 37y
Fredrick Theiler M 13y
Lena Theiler F 12y
Sofia Theiler F 10y
William Theiler M 8y
Louise Theiler F 7y

1910 Federal Census,Mentor, Clark, Wisconsin

Fred Theiler
Birthplace: Switzerland
marital status: Married
race : White
gender: Male
immigration year: 1884
father's birthplace: Switzerland
mother's birthplace: Switzerland
family number: 156
page number: 7
Household
Head: Fred Theiler M 43y
Spouse: Elsie Theiler F 41y
Child Frederick Theiler M 18y
Child Lena Theiler F 17y
Child Sophia Theiler F 15y
Child Willie Theiler M 13y
Child Louise Theiler F 12y

1930 Federal Census Records,  Chicago (Districts 1251-1500), Cook, Illinois

Name: Sophie Colburn, 35 yrs. (1895, Wis.)
Sex: Female
Relationship to head of household: Wife
Father's birthplace: Switzerland
Mother's birthplace: Switzerland
Enumeration district number: 1435
Family number: 185
Sheet number and letter: 7A
Line number: 16
Household
Head: Cullen I Colburn M 35
Spouse: Sophie Colburn F 35
Child: Irving T Colburn M 12

Social Security Death Index

Name: Cullen Colburn
Birth daSecurity number: 342-32-1872
Place of issuance: Illinois
Last residence: Cook, Illinois
Zip code of last residence: 60646
Death date: May 1986
Estimated age at death: 92