Herold James Weiler was born in
Tioga, Illinois on April 12, 1886. He was raised and educated in
Corsicana, Texas, and enlisted in the
Texas National Guard's,
Troop D, 1st
Cavalry Squadron in 1907. Weiler rose through the ranks and was a
First Sergeant when he was commissioned as a
First Lieutenant in 1912. In his civilian career Weiler was the owner and operator of Weiler Manufacturing, makers of heavy duty
overalls,
pants, and other outdoor wear for
oil field and
oil rig workers. In the 1920s he also worked in other management positions within the oil industry. Weiler served on the
Mexican border during the
Pancho Villa Expedition in 1916 as a member of Troop D. ==World War I==