In the highland wheat country near the Moses Coulee in Douglas County, a few miles off of a state highway on a dusty gravel road, near a dry stream bed, sits the remains of a homestead that was Built by Behrend D Thiemens. Immigrated to the US from Osteel Germany in 1895, with his family. They migrated west and carved a living out of the sagebrush laden country.

He Fought in the Calvary for 10 years during the Prussian war. it was said he didn't want his sons to fight for Kaiser Wilhelm, so he sent his eldest son Dirk B Thiemens, to America to see if it was good , shortly thereafter the family followed.

They spent a few years in Iowa, but eventually moved west to Douglas County Washington.

The original house still stands, a testimony to the quality of his craftsmanship, I've been told he even put cloth between the wood in the steps so they wouldn't squeak as they were tread upon. the additions have fallen, the attached porch had fallen in the last year.

In the pictures I have seen which are few, he was always wearing wooden shoes. Grandma told me he liked them best for winter wear as they were warmer than leather footwear. and he would tack Leggings onto the top of his wooden shoes to keep the snow out.

I learned that he quite possibly was one of the local Germans that worked on the German Lutheran Church in the small town of Douglas near Waterville which is the Douglas county seat. So, I have added the photos i took there to this Gallery, in hopes that any possible relatives who have any knowledge regarding that can pitch in and share what they know.




WORK IN PROGRESS