Our Family History
The Thiels Family has a long history. In fact, we can trace our roots back to 1590. This story does not go back that far and deals primarily with the Thiels that came to Louisiana and their immediate ancestors. We hope that you will enjoy the story.
Franciscus Thiels was born October 23, 1802 in the town of Herselt. He married Anna Elizabeth Janssens on July 19, 1832 (Anna was born August 22, 1808 in Herselt). His family residence became Ramsel, where he raised a family of two sons and five daughters:
Elisabeth Thiels- Born October 10, 1832 in Herselt
Henricus Thiels - Born March 7, 1835 in Herselt
Coletta Thiels - Born February 22, 1838 in Herselt
Augustinus Thiels - Born December 6, 1840 in Herselt
Barbara Thiels- Born May 16, 1844 in Herselt
Reginy Thiels - Born March 13, 1848 in Herselt
Rosalia Thiels - Born March 20, 1854 in Herselt
Henricus Thiels married Anna Maria Brems of Begijnendink on January 3, 1873 in Ramsel. They lived in the house of his father, Franciscus, for approximately six years, where the first four of his children were born, the last of, which was Joannes Michael Thiels born January 14, 1879. Their last two children were born in their new residence. On January 13, 1877 Henricus Thiels' father, Franciscus, passed away. In 1879, Henricus established his own residence. Living with Henricus were a niece, Maria Bernardina Brems and a laborer, Joannes Van derWaver, who was born March 18, 1841. (This name will appear again on several documents).
Henricus and Anna's children were:
Augustinus - Born December 5, 1873 (August) in Ramsel
Bernardina - Born September 26, 1875 (Bernadine) in Ramsel
Ludovicus - Born June 7, 1877 (Louis) in Ramsel
Joannes Michael - Born January 14, 1879 (John Michael "Shall") in Ramsel
Josephus - Born July 28, 1880 (Jeff) in Ramsel
Coletta - Born December 28, 1881 (Died December 29, 1881) in Ramsel
By 1883, Henricus's only brother, Augustinus, was married and had started to raise a family. After much discussion, they decided that Henricus would take his family to the United States, and his brother would follow some time later. So, in 1883, Henricus Thiels and his family departed Antwerp enroute to Bordeaux, France where they boarded the SS Marseille for the port of New Orleans, Louisiana they arrived on September 10, 1883. On the ship's manifest, there is listed four persons, other than his immediate family. They were:
Bernadine Brems - Age 11
Francinia Brems - Age 10
Colida Brems - Age 6
John Baptiste Van de Waver - Age 42
Upon arrival in the port of New Orleans, Henricus Thiels and family made their way; it is believed, by covered wagon to Many, Louisiana. There they met and spent several years with the Belgian family of John P. and Ora Lee Quaeyhaegen, who had arrived in America some twenty or thirty years earlier. John died in 1910 and his wife, who was fifteen years his junior, lived until 1943. She is recognized, by the author of the "History of Sabine Parish" Mr. John Groves Belisle in his book of 1912, as a principle farm owner. Mr. James F. Quaeyhaeghen (a grand son) now lives in Many on the old home place.
On January 19, 1884, Henricus Thiels contracted to purchase 240 acres of land for $800 from Monroe F. Blevins. This transaction was recorded as having been $400 cash and the balance of $400 due January 1, 1886, for which a promissory note was given to bear 8% interest per annum. On April 23, 1896 Henricus Thiels sold a right-of-way to Kansas City Shreveport Gulf Railway Company for $75.00.
Meanwhile, Bernadine Thiels married Alphonse Petrus on December 29, 1896 in Many, Louisiana. Father J.A. Augree, the first resident priest of Many, presided over the wedding. He died February 6, 1897. It should be noted that a witness to this wedding was J.A. Robrecht.
Henricus had problems paying the full amount due on his land debt. He was able to pay only the interest on his note, and hence, after almost twelve years of ownership, on December 17, 1898 he contracted to sell his 240 acres in Many. It was sold to A.L. Pouder for the sum of $800, of which $400 was given in cash and the purchaser then assumed the outstanding note for $400. This property now belongs to L & T Davis.
Henricus Thiels and family moved to Alexandria soon after this transaction. The decision to move had probably already been made at some time prior to the land sale. On August 8,1898, Henricus Thiels, Alphonse Petrus, and J.A. Robrecht joined together to purchase land in Rapides Parish along Bayou Rapides. Eighty-four acres known as the "Old Race Track" for $5,000. Possession of property was to take place January 1, 1899. Payment was as follows; $2,500 cash, two outstanding notes and payments first $180.00 due January 1, 1900, $177.50 due January 1, 1900, second $165.00 due July 1, 1900, $1,077.50 due January 1, 1901. This land was divided April 30, 1904 - Henricus Thiels' share came to 35 acres. J.A. Robrecht sold 7.74 acres from his share to August Thiels on the same day of partition dividing. On June 15, 1907 August Thiels sold his land to Henry Thiels (7.74 acres) which brought his total acreage to 42.74 acres.
In 1900, Henricus Thiels' family moved by covered wagon to Alexandria. They probably stopped for the night and made a lean-to of pine saplings and brush. When they settled on their land in Alexandria, Henricus established his home in the front portion of the old race track barn. J.A. Robrecht, a partner in the land holdings, then married Rose Petrus, sister of Alphonse Petrus who was the 3rd partner in their land venture. (The Robrecht family later moved to California. J.A. Robrecht died Feb 5th 1937) The center portion of the old race track barn was then torn down and a home was built for J.A. Robrecht on his portion of the land which now lies along England Drive. The rear portion of the barn was then enclosed and used as Henricus' barn for his farm animals.
On January 6, 1902, Henry Thiels put up $200 bond as security for the marriage license between John Shall Thiels (Joannes Michael) and Louisa Fillette. On January 6, 1903 John Shall Thiels married Louisa Fillette.