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Note: . Theodore grew up in the beautiful Black Forest region of Germany. Life was not easy at that time in Germany with many being out of work and starving. There was also a compulsory military service at that time. Theodore preferred freedom to regimentation so he emigrated to the United States in 1869. Many a German had said how happy he would be if he could go to the great and free country where a man could be himself, but it still must have been a tearful experience to leave his family and homeland at age 20 and cross the great water knowing he would never return. Theodore first settled in Alexander, Illinois where he lived with his uncle John (Johann) Blatter. Theodore then moved to Maryville, Missouri, where he worked as a butcher. Three years later he returned to Alexander to find a nice German girl, and in 1875 he married Elizabeth Wittauer. They were married in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Springfield, Illinois on the 14 of January 1875. The Blatter's did not practice the Lutheran religion but raised their children as Catholic, which was Theodore's faith. After their marriage, Theodore and Elizabeth moved to Maryville, Missouri, where Theodore was engaged in the butcher business and was a partner of Lambert Yehle for twelve years. After Mr. Yehle retired, Theodore operated the shop for a number of years alone. Later his sons, Bill and Bert, helped him until his death. After that they continued to operate the butcher shop for a short time as the Blatter Brothers Market. Theodore's son Tony remembered his father as being a stern name, but a true friend. He remembered his mother as being a very devout woman. Both parents were very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which means that Theodore had spent some time in the service. The Blatter home was a large two story, "L" shaped house located at 303 South Saunders Street in Maryville, Missouri.
Note: Theodore was the first of nine children born to Maximillian and Katerina
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