Thiel Farm

THIEL FARM

History:

In the late 1800’s, three families emigrated from Eastern Europe to settle near ritzville. Little did they know that their stories would be woven together more than 100 years later.

Learn about all three stories here.

The Thiel homestead.

Peter and Katherine Thiel emigrated to the U.S from Kolb, Russia in 1899. The original homestead was 9 miles west of Ritzville.

The Thiels farmed with teams of horses - they originally grew dryland wheat and rye (to feed the horses).

In 1917 they purchased the famous "Bennett Ranch", where the first wheat in Adams County was grown. The 1920s were good years followed by the Depression, a disastrous time for farmers plagued with two problems: little money and less rain. Cars were put on blocks for lack of fuel: trucks used sparingly, and those who had tractors wondered if they'd made the right choice.

In 1943, Peter retired from farming both ranches and moved to town. His son Aaron and family moved onto the ranch and farmed it with his brother Art until they retired.

The farm operation was taken over by Gerry Schoesler and his son Mark, who are grandson and great-grandson of Pete and Katherine Thiel. Today it is owned and operated by Mark and his sister Gail.

The evolution of the combine:

AS YOU SEE, THE CHANGES IN HARVESTING EQUIPMENT OVER 100 YEARS ARE DRASTIC. FROM HORSES, TO TRACTOR-PULLED, TO THE COMBINES WE SEE TODAY.