Thiessen Surname – Access Genealogy

Mennonite Estates in Imperial Russia

This book is an index of Mennonite estates in Imperial Russia – the time period from 1813 to about 1920. It does not explain all the intricacies of the development of each of the estates; it does not decry or defend them. By this time it is a study of something which has disappeared almost a century ago. Some have decrepit buildings remaining, but of many estates there is now nothing left except open fields. Despite these circumstances it is hoped that this index can help people in the study of something which seems to be increasingly significant to many – a search for their roots.

Biography of J. D. C. Thiessen

J. D. C. Thiessen, born in Holstein, Germany, in 1843, emigrated to the United States in 1866. After various endeavors, including a stint as a deputy sheriff and involvement in the cattle industry, he shifted focus to sheep farming in 1886, becoming a leading wool producer in Idaho. He raised Merino sheep and expanded his land holdings significantly. Married to Lillie Meister, he has six children. A dedicated Republican, Thiessen’s contributions to the community and industry mark him as a prominent figure in Lewiston.