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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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George P. Thiele.

George P. Thiele makes his home on section 28, Eureka township, and is busily engaged in the operation of the old homestead farm of the family.  He was born August 20, 1879, in the township where he still resides, his parents being Christian and Mary Thiele, both of whom were natives of Germany.  On coming to America they settled in Joliet, Illinois, where they resided until 1877, Mr. Thiele being employed as overseer in the big rolling mills there.  He was holding that position at the time of the big strike in the mills.  On coming to Adair county he settled in Eureka township and two years later purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, upon which his son George now resides, securing the land from the man who had purchased it from the railroad company.  It was then a tract of raw prairie and hazel brush.  Christian Thiele at once began to clear the land and to prepare it for the plow and to his original purchase he added from time to time as his financial resources permitted until he was the owner of four hundred acres of excellent and highly improved farm land.  He resided thereon until 1901, when he retired and removed to Atlantic, where he and his wife are now residing, enjoying well earned rest.  He is truly a self-made man, for he started out without capital or without assistance from friends and has not only earned a good living but has managed to save a comfortable competence for the evening of life.

George P. Thiele, born and reared in Eureka township, pursued his education in district school No. 8 and assisted in the operation of the home farm until his parents removed to Atlantic, when he and his brother Marcus H. took charge of the farms, which they operated in partnership for a year.  At the end of that time George P. Thiele removed to a place north of Casey and entered into partnership with J. M. Emmert.  He assumed charge of the McCral ranch of three hundred and twenty acres, living thereon for four years.  In 1906, however, he returned to Eureka township and rented from his father four hundred acres of land, which he cultivated and improved until 1913, when he rented the old home place on one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Eureka township.  Upon that tract he now resides, his time being devoted to the active work of the fields, which present a most neat and attractive appearance.  He is one of the progressive young farmers and stockmen of Eureka township and in addition to tilling the soil he feeds cattle and hogs.  He keeps a high grade of Duroc-Jersey hogs and breeds full blooded shorthorn cattle, having a fine bull at the head of his herd.

On the 8th of October, 1902, Mr. Thiele was married to Miss Mary Cavanaugh, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Minner) Cavanaugh, both of whom were natives of Ireland.  They came to America in childhood with their respective parents and following their marriage settled at Stuart, Iowa, where for some years Mr. Cavanaugh was employed as fireman on the Rock Island Railroad.  For the past twenty years the mother of Mrs. Thiele has resided at Casey, Iowa.  Following the death of her first husband she became the wife of Fred Folsom, a carpenter of Casey.  To Mr. and Mrs. Thiele have been born four children:  Lela, who was born August 20, 1903;  Margaret, June 27, 1906;  Velma, March 4, 1908;  and Nelse, February 6, 1910.

All are attending home school.  Mrs. Thiele is a member of the United Brethren church of Eureka township and belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society of that church.  Mr. Thiele holds membership with the Modern Woodmen at Fontanelle and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party.  He has always followed the occupation to which he was reared and his thorough understanding of every branch of farm work, his knowledge of the methods which are at once practical and scientific and his indefatigable enterprise have placed him with the leading agriculturist of his community.

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