Worshipful Brother
John Weiler
(September 1899, aged 75)
Victoria Columbia Lodge, No. 1
Here is a brief biographical sketch of Wor. Brother John Weiler taken from contemporary newspaper reports:
“Death of John Weiler
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A Pioneer of British Columbia Business - World Passes To His Rest.
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After an active and honorable career, inseparable from the history of the commercial life of Victoria, Mr. John Weilcr passed away yesterday morning, at his home on Blanchard street, at the advanced age of 75. He had retired some years since from the activities of business, and during the greater part of six months past has been tortured by a complication of disorders which medical science was helpless to abate or relieve. Surviving him the deceased pioneer leaves a widow and family of four sons, Messrs. Charles, Otto, Joseph and George, his successors in the immense business which his industry, foresight and enterprise created.
It was in the possession of such sons — for few fathers ever had better cause to be proud of each and all of their successors — that Mr. Weiler’s declining years were made content, despite the heavy hand of pain.
Born at Meyence, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on August 24, 1824, the late Mr. Weller was induced to remove to America by the far-reaching reports of the original gold discoveries in California. He was then a sturdy and ambitious young man of 26. After a long and arduous voyage he reached the land of gold in 1850, and for 10 years devoted himself alternately to ranching and mining in California, coming north to young to Victoria in 1861, and forming a partnership with Mr. Stemler, under the firm name of Stemler & Weiler. Upon the dissolution of that partnership, he embarked in the furniture business, and ultimately retiring upon the establishment of Weiler Bros.
While in the world of business Mr. Weiler succeeded to a decree that commands the heartiest admiration of all, it is notable that his success had its foundation in strict attention to business, an remittent watching of the demands of the times, unchangeable integrity, and never-failing good nature, as in that almost hypnotic commercial acumen for which in earlier days he was noted among his confreres. In private life he was a man of large benevolence, quiet and unostentatious friendships, and the ever-ruling love of home and home attachments. His lifetime was devoted to his family, his business and his deeds of unheralded charity.
On the formation of the first lodge of Odd Fellowship in the colony of Vancouver Island, Mr. Weiler was admitted as a charter member of Victoria No. 1, of which lodge he was for fifteen years the faithful treasurer. He passed through the several ranks, and had the honor of filling the chair as Second Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia. On the institution of Vancouver Encampment No. 1 in 1871, he also became a charter member of that advanced branch of Odd Fellowship; while he was equally prominent in the ranks of Ancient Masonry, and was a pioneer in the order of British Columbia Pioneers. All these several important orders will attend the funeral, which is arranged to take place to-morrow at 3 p.m., from the family residence at 26 Blanchard street.”
Source: Daily Colonist, 7 September 1899, page 3
The marker on the grave of Wor. Brother John Weiler in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C.
The GPS location of the grave is:
The Ross Bay plot designation is:
Wor. Brother John Weiler, circa 1890
Worshipful Brother John Weilerr had an interesting and accomplished life (see his obituary below). He was a Past Master of Victoria Columbia Lodge, No. 1.
John Weiler ran a very successful furniture manufacturing business in Victoria. His business premises, now renovated into a commercial and office building, still stands at the corner of Broad St. and Broughton St.
