Thies, Fred H.

THIES, DUKER, LAUBER, GREEN

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 19:22:37

THIES, FRED H.

Fred H. Thies, a farmer of Dale township, with his home on section 26, was born in Freeport, Illinois, April 3, 1865, being the third member of a family of eight children, four of whom are now living, born to Fred and Louise (Duker) Thies, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a tailor by trade, but for the last two years of his life he was engaged in farming, as his health demanded a change from the tailor shop.

When his father died, Fred H. Thies was but nine years of age and the family were left on a rented farm almost destitute. These were indeed hard times, as all the children were small; but the grave-hearted mother kept her family together, and after three years bought a place of fifteen acres on which she built a little home. The children worked out, and sent their earnings home. Fred H. grew up with much work and but little schooling. When he was seventeen years old, he came into Iowa, and was so impressed with the possibilities of the state as seen in Franklin county, that he went home and so urged his mother to sell out, that she might try the possibilities of a new country, that she did sell, and bringing with her family bought one hundred and sixty acres of improved land, for which she agreed to pay $20 per acre, and make a liberal first payment. He took charge of the farm work, and remained at home until his marriage at the age of twenty-four years. The faithful mother secured her farm clear of debt and was able to do something as she wanted for her younger children.

Mr. Thies married Miss Kate Lauber, and began farming for himself. To this union were born eight children: Fred, Ida, Lydia, Tillie, August, Archie, Elsie and Nina. Mrs. Thies is the daughter of William and Barbara (Green) Laauber, both natives of Germany. They were married and lived at Freeport, Illinois, where the father died in 1859. The mother lives in Illinois, and is over seventy-seven years of age.

In the fall of 1886, in company with a younger brother, Fred H. Thies came to Lyon county, where they rented a farm together. He and his brother Henry had unitedly two hundred and forty acres of land; and that spring Henry accidentally shot himself while taking a loaded gun from his buggy. This left Fred with more land on his hands than he knew what to do with. He did the best he could, however, and in 1888 he bought an additional eighty, on which he now lives. As soon as he was able he bought more land, and now owns two hundred and forty acres. When Mr. Thies became the owner of the place there was a small unfinished house on it, with boards running up and down it. This house was often referred to as the one in which Jesse James slept in, for he and his brother passed a night in it when they were guests of Martin Cook, the original proprietor. The frame of this old pioneer shack together with one of the pioneer school houses form a part of the present home of Mr. Thies. It is true they would not be recognized as they form part of a substantial modern house. The farm has been improved with substantial buildings. His barn is 34 by 68 feet with 18-foot posts. The first winter they spent in Lyon county was full of hardships both for themselves and their stock. Mr. Thies acknowledges many favors from one "Nick" Boor, of Ashton, without whose generous friendship he would hardly have outlived the winter. Mr. Thies is a Democrat, and for eighteen years has served on the town board.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson