Tommy Treichel

Thomas Vendevi “The Train” Treichel (February 9 1892 - June 22 1936) was a regionally beloved professional wrestler during the sport’s onset. Treichel was born outside of Savanna, Illinois on February 9, 1892. At the age of three, his family relocated to Casa Grande, Arizona to live with relitives, as his father Jeffrey was suffering from acute bronchitis. Despite seeking out the dry desert air to aleve his lung disorder, his father died soon after. Thomas’ mother, Lillian, worked as a housekeeper and raised Thomas and his two younger siblings, Alice and Marcus. Until he left home at the age of 16, the family lived with his aunt and uncle, Dora and Richard Maleug.

Treichel and a childhood friend traveled east looking for work, and soon found positions working for the Chicago and North Western Railway. In the fall of 1911, young Treichel befriended “Farmer” Martin Burns, who trained Treichel in the sport of professional wrestling. Burns and Treichel apparently had a falling out soon after, but Treichel was able to utilize his newfound training to perform in the increasingly popular Iowa wrestling circuit.

In 1923, Treichel married Alma Van Donsel, daughter of a carnival barker that hired Treichel for the summer. Her brother Robert later helped promote Treichel in the wrestling circuit, and the Treichel family spent the next three years traveling to Wisconsin and as far east as Indiana, performing mostly at carnival and local circus venues. His brother-in-law reportedly began booking Thomas as Tommy “The Train” Treichel, apparently due to Treichel’s railroad background. He had at least three children, Thomas Jr., Genevieve and Sonny (who died at birth).

Due to back problems, Treichel officially retired from professional wrestling in 1929. His wife was reported missing later that year, but she apparently resurfaced several years later. Treichel was found dead in a hotel in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1936, reportedly due to appendicitis. It is unknown whether his wrestling past was a contributing factor.

References

* [http://www.tommytreichel.cjb.net/ Official Website]