Peter Iltis was born August 11, 1844, in France.

The 1857 Minnesota census showed Peter Iltis (age 13, born in Germany) living with his parents Mathias (age 54, born in Germany) and Barbara (age 45, born in Germany) in Chaska, Carver County, Minnesota. His other siblings were Mary (age 21, born in Germany), Helesce (age 19, born in Germany), Mathias (age 16, born in Germany), Fredrick (age 15, born in Germany), and Carl (age 1, born in Minnesota).

The 1860 United States census showed Peter Ettis (Iltis, age 15, born in France, farm laborer) living with his parents Mathias (age 57, born in France) and Barbara (age 48, born in France) in Chaska, Carver County, Minnesota. His other siblings were Mathias (age 20, born in France), Frederick (age 17, born in France), and Charles (age 3, born in Minnesota).

We would call attention to the adv. of our young friend Peter Iltis, who you are all aware, has opened a first class Grocery & Provision Store. (Valley Herald, Saturday, August 11, 1866, Page 1)

Peter Iltis married Carolina Peters on May 29, 1867, in Carver County, Minnesota.

The Store of our young friend Peter Iltis was entirely consumed by fire, together with his stock of groceries, household furniture, wearing apparel &c., on Friday night, Jan 24th, a 1 o’clock A. M. Loss, $4,500, insured in Home of New York for $2,700. (Valley Herald, Saturday, February 1, 1868, Page 1)

The 1870 United States census showed Peter Iltis (age 26, born in France, saloon keeper) married to Karrie (age 23, born in Germany) and living in Chaska, Carver County, Minnesota.

Peter Iltis has purchased the old Young brewery building of Henry Young (wife was Madeline
Iltis), and will carry on the brewing business hereafter. Peter is bound to branch out. (The
Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, August 14, 1873, Page 1)

The 1880 United States census showed Peter Iltis (age 36, born in France, hotel keeper) married to Caroline (age 32, born in Prussia) and living in Chaska, Carver County, Minnesota. Children Mathias (age 8, born in Minnesota), Peter (age 6, born in Minnesota), Mary (age 3, born in Minnesota), and Caroline (age 5 months, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

Breweries. Union brewery – Established 1870; Peter Iltis proprietor; annual product, 3,000
barrels. (St. Paul Daily Globe, Tuesday Morning, July 8, 1884, Page 4)

The 1885 Minnesota census showed Peter Iltis (age 41, born in France) married to Caroline (age 38, born in Prussia) and living in Chaska, Carver County, Minnesota. Children Mathias (age 12, born in Minnesota), Theodor (age 10, born in Minnesota), Maria B. (age 8, born in Minnesota), and Caroline (age 5, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

Hon Peter Iltis, has purchased the corner lot, on the corner of Chestnut and 3d Street upon which Mr Eisles shoe store stands, of Mrs H Young for $1200, and we understand he intends to erect a three story Brick Business Block on the same early next season. When completed it will be the finest structure in the valley and a credit to the Village and an honor to the owner. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, March 9, 1885, Page 4)

Peter Iltis has recently finished a new brick barn on his Brewery property. It is a large structure and adds much to the value of that important property. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, July 9, 1885, Page 4)

P. Iltis, the public-spirited mayor of Chaska, is alive to the best interests of the place, and is considered the best mayor Chaska ever had. (The Minnesota Farmer, Friday, November 13, 1885, Page 8)

Peter Iltis, Brick barn at Brewery $1,200. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, December 10, 1885, Page 4)

A telegram reached Chaska at 11 a. m., March 26, informing Peter Iltis, that his father Mathias Iltis Sr., had died at the residence of his son, Mathias Jr., at Elizabeth, Otter Tail County, that morning of old age. Mr. Iltis was a native of Alsace, France, was born Nov. 11th 1801, and was consequently over 84 years of age at the time of his death. He first came to Chaska in the year 1853, and pre-empted the claim on Yorkville Prairie, upon which he lived up to the death of his wife, which occurred several years ago; he returned to Illinois the same year, and returned to Chaska and moved upon his claim in 1854, having been a citizen of Minnesota continuously for 32 years, and in all that time we do not believe he made one enemy. He attended strictly to his own business, was just and upright in all his dealings with his neighbors and consequently maintained their affection and kindest regards to the last. His funeral on Friday brought together all the old settlers who were aware of his death and they testified their regard for their departed friend by attending the funeral in a body. The surviving children of Mr. Iltis were all present except Mrs. Chas. Henry, of Minneapolis, who was detained at home on account of sickness. The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Hillman, and commanded the attention of all. The Chaska Choir rendered some of their choice selections at the grave. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, April 1, 1886, Page 4)

Peter E. Iltis died June 30, 1888, in Chaska, Minnesota.

Died – At his residence in the village of Chaska, on Saturday morning at 1 o’clock a. m., Peter Iltis, aged 44 years, 10 months and 19 days. Was born in the village of Baldenheim, province of Alsace, France, August 11th, 1844. He was the fifth child of Mathias and Barbara Titis. At the early age of 5 years he began to attend school and continued to do so until the family removed to the United States in August 1852. They settled at Naperville, Illinois, where they remained for about three years. Father Iltis having, however prempted (pre-empted) a claim at Yorkville Landing, about a mile below Chaska, Minnesota, he with his family removed to the latter place. Here young Peter assisted his father in hewing out a clearing and cultivating a farm. In the year 1860 he quit farming and entered the mercantile profession as clerk for Mr. Andrew Nessel, of St. Paul. President Lincoln having issued his first call for volunteers to quell the rebellion, Peter, although but 16 years of age enlisted in Company G, 2d Regiment, Minnesota Volunteers, at Fort Snelling. But his mother heard of it, and demanded and secured his discharge on account of his youth. After following the business of a merchant for some years, he built in 1865, a large two story hotel, on Chestnut street, Chaska. This hotel with all its contents was destroyed by fire in December 1867. But he at once began to rebuilt (rebuild) his home and business. In 1872 he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he filled for the rest of his life. In the spring of 1884 he was elected Mayor of Chaska and in the fall of the same year, a member of the State Legislature. In 1867 he was married to Miss. Caroline Peters. The union was blest (blessed) with six children, of whom three with their mother, survive to mourn his loss. Three Brothers and two sisters survive him also. He was an honest, straightforward, liberal man, and discharged his various offices faithfully and conscientiously. He was a kind husband, an affectionate father and trustworthy friend. In March 1878 he became a member of the order of Sons of Herman at Young America, and he was also one of the charter members of the Odd Fellows Lodge of this village, and had been honored with the upper chair for several successive terms since its organization. He also took great interest in agricultural matters, having been President of the Carver County Agricultural Society for three years in succession, and the society greatly extended its interest and usefulness during the time it was under his management. At the time of his death he occupied the position of Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of this town and village, and was first and foremost in every move that was inaugurated for the advancement of our village, and was particularly a friend of the poor and among the sincere mourners at the side of his grave were the laboring men of Chaska. What more can be said in his favor. The funeral took place on Monday at 2 o’clock p. m., and was conducted under the auspices of the order of Odd Fellows of this village, and was a grand and imposing affair. Besides the Odd Fellow Lodge from this village, the Excelsior Lodge participated in the ceremonies in a body, then the G. A. R. Post, Sons of Herman and Fire Department of Chaska, the Lodge of Sons of Herman from Young America and Henderson and delegations from the same order from Jordan and New Rome, in uniform and regalias, making an imposing procession. The corpse viewed at Iltis Hall, from there the body was taken to the Moravian Church, where the Rev. Mr. Haehnle delivered an impressive and eloquent sermon, and the church choir sang some very sweet and affective songs. The procession then formed, with the Cornet Band in the lead and marched to the grave, the band playing some affecting dirges on the march. Arriving at the grave, the Odd Fellows formed the inner circle about the grave and Mr. A. Schrimpf read the burial service of the order, after which Mr. August Poehler of Henderson delivered a brief and appropriate address on the part of the Sons of Herman, and the Chaska Concordia and Young America Mannerchor sang a number of songs appropriate to the occasion, the band concluding the ceremonies by playing a farewell dirge. The officiating pall bearers, selected by the family were as follows: Fritz Wommer, Jul. Ackermann, Fred Deltz, Jacob Truwe, F. W. Henning, A. W. Barker, Fred Wiest and Jos. Willmann. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, July 5, 1888, Page 4)