File Hist.Mss.1.291/12 - Franz Tiessen and Anna (Toews) Tiessen photograph collection

Anna Tiessen was born in Schoenfeld, South Russia. Her parents were Jacob J. and Susanna (Dick) Toews. The family later moved to Kleefeld, and immigrated to Canada in 1924. In 1925, they moved to the Leamington area. She married Franz Tiessen in 1932; the couple had three children. The Tiessens farmed in Essex County.

Franz Peter Tiessen was born in Schoenfeld, South Russia to Peter J. and Elizabeth (Fast) Tiessen. Peter and his first wife Anna (Enns) had six children, four of whom survived infancy. Peter and his second wife Elizabeth (Fast) had eight children, seven of whom survived infancy. Franz grew up on the family’s prosperous 700 acre farm. In 1919, the family left for Blumstein to avoid frequent raids by bandits. In 1924, they immigrated to Canada, settling in the Leamington area. Franz Tiessen married Anna Toews in 1932; the couple had three children. The Tiessens farmed in Essex County.