William H. Thies
William H. Thies, a general farmer and stock raiser of Mad River Township, is the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of rich and productive land on the Troy Pike, about three miles from the courthouse. His birth occurred on the old Thies homestead, which is located on the Brandt Pike in Mad River Township, his natal day being August 17, 1856. His parents were John Theodore and Elizabeth (Brandenburg) Thies. The paternal grandparents, John and Mary (Pfoutz) Thies, spent their entire lives in Germany. On attaining man's estate John Theodore Thies, the father of our subject, emigrated from Germany to the United States and making his way to Montgomery County, Ohio, became a prominent pioneer citizen of Dayton. He was a successful contractor, built most of the pikes in Mad River Township and also assisted in the construction of the Erie Canal, thus contributing in large measure to the early development and up building of this section of the state.
In his youthful years William H. Thies attended the schools of this county in the acquirement of an education and also worked at farm labor, thus early becoming familiar with the varied duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Since starting out in business life on his own account his time and energies have been devoted to farming and he is now the owner of a valuable tract of land in Mad River Township, comprising one hundred and thirty acres. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he is also engaged in stock raising to some extent and in all of his undertakings has met with that measure of success which is ever the reward of untiring, persistent and well directed labor.
On the 8th of October, 1885, Mr. William Thies was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Koehler, a daughter of Fred and Tracy (Wasmut) Koehler, of Mad River Township. By this union there have been born six children, namely: Lewis, who is employed in Dayton; Clement, who has completed his education and now assists his father in the work on the home farm; Rosella, at home, Clara, who is attending school; Edward, who passed away in his nineteenth year, his remains being interred in Calvary Cemetery; and George, who died when five years of age and was likewise laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery.
Mr. Thies is a member of Lodge No. 225 of the Knights of St. John also belongs to Holy Rosary Church, in which he has served as a trustee. The other members of his family also take an active and helpful part in the work of the church, doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Throughout his entire life Mr. Thies has been a resident of Montgomery County and is well known and highly esteemed as one of its successful and representative agriculturists and public-spirited citizens.
From History of the City of Dayton and Montgomery County Ohio, Volume II, by Rev. A. W. Drury, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1909