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Subject: [OKMAJOR] Thiessen Mennonite family of Major County
Date: 23 Apr 2002 12:53:26 -0600

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.

Surnames: Thiessen, Classen, Klaassen, Claassen, Klassen, Goertzen
Classification: Query

Message Board URL:

http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JaB.2ACI/419

Message Board Post:

Hello,
My name is Dave Thiessen and I am researching my Thiessen ancestry.

My ancestor Peter Thiessen was married to a Katharina Klaassen nee Schmidt, widow of Johann Klaassen, founder of the Mennonite Brethren. They came to America in 1883/84 and settled in Marion Co., KS. Then in 1893 they settled in Copper, OK. In 1894 they came to Fairview, OK.

Now to the juicy stuff.

Apparently, in 1901, Katharin left Peter. He was supposed to be a mean man.

I have found him arriving in NY in 1902 with a small boy of nearly 5 by the name of Franz Classen. I guess this boy may have been related in some way.

He apparently went back to Russia again and came back to Rusk, OK with a widow, Anna Goertzen nee Fast. She had six children from her first marriage. They arrived in the US in Feb, 1903.

Also, I beleive Peter had an older brother Abraham that married Anna's mother, Anna Fast nee Sukkau. I have no information as to whether they came to the US or not.
I beleive he may have had another brother, Johann or John Thiessen. I estimate his date of birth at 1851. I do not know if he came to US or not.

Then, in April, 1905 Peter married Anna. They had twin daughters, Margaret and Marie Thiessen in August 1905.

Around 1909, I believe, they left and settled in California.

I was wondering if perhaps anyone knew anything about this family. I have not been in touch with the Mennonite Church in Fairview, yet. I am betting there is some useful information there.

I know Katharina Klaassen Thiessen nee Schmidt stayed in the area. I beleive she died in 1915 in Corn, OK.

Any information whatsoever could be useful in determining more about this family. Particularly any information from the church records.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any information.

Dave Thiessen
King George, VA

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