My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM M. THIEME, an esteemed resident of South Hadley Falls, having been connected with its manufacturing interests for forty years, was born in Saxony, January 6, 1831. Mr. Thieme’s father, Benjamin T. Thieme, also a native of Saxony, born April 24, 1795, was a prosperous manufacturer, owning a woollen-mill, and was quite an influential man in the place where he resided. His death, October 4, 1851, was considered a public loss. In 1822 he married Elenora Yehnig, also a native of Saxony, born April 15, 1799. She died January 18, 1834, having borne her husband five children, as follows: Julia Augusta, deceased; Henrietta Amelia and Amelia Therese, both living in Germany; William M., the subject of this sketch; and a child that died in infancy.

William M. Thieme received a substantial education in the public schools of the Fatherland, and began the battle of life when twenty years of age. His father dying at that time, he assumed charge of the woollen-mill, and held it in partnership with the other heirs for four years. With a desire to better his condition, he then bade good-by to his relatives and friends, and embarked in July, 1855, on board the ship “Atlantic” for this country. After landing in New York, he came directly to this county, took up his residence in Northampton, and worked in a woollen-mill until the following January. He next obtained employment in a cotton-mill at Chicopee until March, 1857, when he came to South Hadley Falls to fill a position in the Glasgow Cotton Mill. Being an industrious and faithful workman, it was not long before he was made an overseer. After this, when the occasion served, he was promoted to the responsible position of superintendent of the mill. He resigned this position some years ago, after spending twenty-eight years in the employment of the firm, and bought the Holyoke Journal, the German newspaper of this village. He conducted this publication alone for some time. Subsequently he took a partner; and the firm is now known as the German-American Publishing Company, of which Mr. Thieme is the President. In 1893 he retired from active participation in business. Under his administration the name of the paper was changed to the New England Rundschau, its circulation was greatly increased, and it became the leading German paper of this section of the State. He is also president of the water company of his town.

On November 23, 1859, Mr. Thieme was united in marriage with Paulina Otto, who was born October 25, 1840, in Saxony, being the daughter of Ludwig and Johanna (Denzler) Otto, neither of whom is now living. The union has been blessed by the birth of five children, as follows: Paulina, who died in 1891; Emma, the wife of Robert Johannis, of Holyoke; Morris William, who lives in South Hadley Falls; Alfred Hermann, a painter, who resides in New York City; and Edward Frank, a plumber, in South Hadley Falls. Mr. Thieme has taken a warm interest in the prosperity of his adopted town. His approval and support have been given to all worthy efforts to promote its interests. For some years he was a member of the Prudential Committee, and he has been President of the local Turner Halle Society. In politics he is bound by no party ties, but votes for the men and measures he deems best. Although neither Mr. nor Mrs. Thieme is connected with any religious organization, their children have been regular attendants at the Congregational church.