Person:Henry Thisius (1)

Son of Heinrich Christoph Thisius (15 Dec 1823-13 Jan 1898) and Katharina Sophie Dorothea Freise (13 Dec 1864-1 Sep 1872).

SEPTEMBER 3, 1931--Wells Mirror HENRY THISIUS BURIED SATURDAY--- Aged Man Came to Minnesota in 1886 And Has Made His Home On Farms in This Vicinity--- Funeral services were held at the Evangelical Church last Saturday afternoon for Henry Thisius, who passed away at the home of his son, Edward, on Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 81 years, 6 months and 13 days. Rev. M. Wordelman of Cherry Grove, Minn., a former pastor here, participated in the services. Interment was made in Rosehill Cemetery. Gerre Henry Thisius was born February 12, 1850, in Bokelo, Province Hanover, Germany. In 1864 he was confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Wenzdorf, Germany. Four years later, in 1868, he came to America and for a number of years remained in the vicinity of Chicago, Ill. In 1886 he came to Minnesota and located in Dunbar Township and two years later he moved to Clark Township, where he resided at the time of his death. In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Hitzemann at Hammond, Ind. Their union was blessed with five children, of whom one son preceded him in death. His wife died on November 18, 1880. On March 7th, 1882, he married Mrs. Emma Strehlow at Chicago, Ill. Nine children were born to them, of whom five sons and one daughter have passed on before him. He was a good husband and a kind and loving father and endeavored to train his children in the nurture and fear of the Lord. He occupied different offices in the church and supported the cause of Christ according to his ability. He was industrious and economical and established a good home and provided well for his family's needs and comfort. He used good judgement and exercised business tact in the management of his affairs. He was also a good citizen and an obliging neighbor. He supported law and order in all his relations to the home, the church and the state and was ever ready to extend a helping hand in the time of need. Mr. Thisius had been in poor health, more or less, for a number of years but he bore his sufferings with true Christian fortitude and patience. The immediate cause of his death was a stroke of apoplexy. Besides his seven children he was also preceded in death by his stepson, Albert Strehlow, of Wells. He is survived by his bereaved companion, nine children, namely, Henry Thisius of Wells, August Thisius of Yakima, Wash., Louis Thisius, Mrs. George Buendorf, Mrs. John Wille, Herman, Theodore and Edward Thisius of Wells and Mrs. Salve Olson of Alden, 48 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren besides many other relatives and friends. All of the children were present at the funeral services except August Thisius of Yakima, Wash.

1.   Gaby Fricke. Gaby Fricke, researcher in Wunstorf, Germany (e-mail correspondence).
2.   Donna Graves and Ronna Lounsbery. Graves/Lounsbery Genealogy (Hitzemann and Seegers). (unpublished).
3.   Karen Rowe. Genealogy: Buchmeier.