Gus D. Thiessen

Gus D. Thiessen Is Called To Beyond

Prominent Farmer and Commissioner Is Taken at Home Yesterday - Came Here From Germany in 1882.

Gus D. Thiessen, for the last 44 years prominently identified with the commercial and agricultural interests of Lewiston and Nez Perce county, died at his home in Tammany yesterday morning at 9 o'clock of cancer of the stomach. Mr. Thiessen was operated on one year ago but the disease had made such inroads on his system that recovery was impossible.

Served as Commissioner.

In the death of Mr. Thiessen this community loses one of its most prominent farmers as well as a man who had served in public office and left behind a creditable record of achievements. He was elected to the board of commissioners of Nez Perce county in 1912 and served one term of two years. Six years ago he was elected as commissioner of the Waha-Tammany highway district, an office he held at the time of his death.

A native of Germany, having been born June 21, 1864, he came to the United States in 1882 and three years later took up his home in Lewiston. He was married in this city to Mary Wasem March 29, 1895.

Started Here as Butcher.

For a few years he followed the trade of a butcher in Lewiston, being connected with establishments conducted by Warren Hunt and Dill brothers. Later he purchased the Fountain ranch on McCormick ridge and after disposing of this he engaged in the stock business on the Salmon river. In 1902 he retired from the stock business and purchased a farm in Tammany, where he resided continuously since. He was owner of 440 acres.

Mr. Thiessen was president of the Thiessen Land company, having large holdings on Webb ridge. In 1889 Mr. Thiessen drove several hundred head of horses overland to La Grande, Ore., from there shipping to Omaha. This was the largest shipment of its kind ever to leave the Lewiston region.

Held Funeral Saturday

He leaves a widow and seven children, all residents of Nez Perce county. The children are Albert Thiessen, William Thiessen, Otto Thiessen, Oscar Thiessen, John Thiessen, August Thiessen and Miss Melina Thiessen; one brother, Henry Thiessen, prominent stockman of Sweetwater, and two sisters residing in Germany. Mr. Thiessen was a member of the Lewiston order of Elks.