Every once in a while, I receive comments from readers about my articles. It’s encouraging to know others are enjoying my bios about Naperville’s lesser-known historic figures. I appreciate this opportunity to do what I really enjoy.
This month’s story is about Daniel Strubler, a blacksmith and carriage maker who used to own property that still stands on Washington Street in downtown Naperville.
Daniel Strubler was born September 15, 1837, in Naperville, Cook County*, Illinois.
He was the son of George Strubler Sr. and Salome Stocker. Daniel received a common school education and at the age of seventeen, he apprenticed into the blacksmiths trade.
In April 1858, Daniel opened his first blacksmith shop with Samuel E. Shimp as his partner. He was a first-class mechanic and in 1866 was awarded the First Premium by the DuPage County Agricultural and Mechanical Association for horseshoes finished with a hammer.
On July 14, 1859, Daniel married Mary Krimbill and they had one child, Grace Pearl, who died in infancy.
Daniel and Mary later adopted Lorena Krimbill, a niece of Mary Krimbill Strubler, and they raised her as their own. (My notes reflect that Lorena Krimbill married Charles Raphael Mayer on October 2, 1882, in Naperville.)
In 1872, Daniel went into partnership with Joseph Hiltenbrand and they started their carriage building business.
Daniel served as a Naperville Village Trustee in 1879. He became a member of the community who was held in high esteem and a devoted member of the Grace United Evangelical Church in which he held various offices of responsibility.
His home and Blacksmith Shop were located at 232 and 236 South Washington Street, respectively.
Daniel was a member of Euclid Lodge No. 65 and Euclid Chapter No. 13.
He died November 29, 1912, in Naperville, DuPage County, Illinois.
Funeral services were conducted at Grace United Evangelical Church by Reverend L. C. Schmidt and members of the Masonic Lodge conducted the simple Masonic funeral and burial service at the Naperville Cemetery.
(*DuPage County did not exist until 1839.)
Editor’s Note / The Strubler House—built in 1854, according to a plaque by the front door and a sign out front—still stands along the east side of Washington Street, in the heart of Naperville. Today the 2-story property is home to several small businesses, including Karisma Boutique, Rose Thai Spa and Coulture Vision. (PN Photo, April 23, 2022)
