Born in Switzerland in 1894, Silvain Wyler was educated in business administration and began his career in textile manufacturing. Through family connections, he met Arma during her visit from Chicago to Zurich. The two returned to Chicago and were married at the Drake Hotel.
Encouraged by Arma Wyler's parents, the couple sought entrepreneurial opportunities in the food processing industry. Silvain and Arma Wyler founded the Wyler Company in 1931, beginning by importing bouillon products from Europe. By the 1940s, the company had begun manufacturing its own products, and soon diversified into other areas of dehydrated food processing. The company merged with Borden in 1961, though the Wylers continued to be involved with the company.
The Wylers were active philanthropists, and among their major projects was the Silvain and Arma Wyler Children's Hospital at University of Chicago. After Silvain Wyler died suddenly in 1963, Arma Wyler carried on with planning for the hospital, which was dedicated in 1966.
From the guide to the Wyler, Silvain and Arma. Collection, 1901-1989, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)
