Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah September 20, 2020

Representatives of foreign countries are doing much toward peopling the great west and among them are many Germans who have taken the unimproved prairies and by energy and industry transformed them into fertile fields, thereby adding greatly to the country’s wealth. Henry Thiele, for a number of years identified with the agricultural interests of Carroll county, is a native of the fatherland, his birth having occurred in Westphalia on the 26th of July, 1858. His parents, John and Catherine (Raarsen) Thiele, were also born in Germany and there spent their entire lives. Their family consisted of three children: William, operating the old homestead farm in Germany; Matilda, who also resides in the old country; and Henry, of this review.

In the Catholic schools of his native land Henry Thiele received a good education, and later served for six months in the German army. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age, at which period of his life he came to the United States, making his way direct to Mount Carmel, Carroll county. For three years he hired out at farm work, at the expiration of which time he began agriculture for himself on his farm in Kniest township. This tract of two hundred and forty acres was practically unimproved when it came into his possession but under careful management has been transformed into a splendid property. He has fenced his fields, put out fruit and shade trees, erected substantial and commodious buildings, and altogether made of his place a valuable farm. It has proved a paying proposition, constituting a gratifying source of income, for his annual sale of grain and stock brings to him a substantial yearly return.

Mr. Thiele was married, in 1887, to Mrs. Mary (Ehrig) Feniger, the widow of Hugh Feniger and, having no children of their own, they adopted two boys: Wendell, yet at home; and LeRoy, engaged in farming for himself. Mr. Thiele purchased a farm for the latter which cost him two thousand dollars. He and his wife belong to Mount Carmel parish, and he also holds membership in St. Joseph Men’s Catholic Association. In his business dealings Mr. Thiele has ever been fair and upright and has gained for himself an honorable name among men and a reputation for integrity that will live through the coming years. He enjoys the respect of all with whom business and social relations have brought him in contact, and thus has never had cause to regret his determination to seek fortune in this county.

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