The Tietböhl ancestors were mostly rural
people: farmers, cattlemen, blacksmiths, and the like. One
source indicates that the name "böhlen" is
equivalent to the German verb abharren meaning to remove hair
from or a tannery worker.
Joachim Tietböhl was born May 13, 1815.
He married Wilhelmina Wischmann born 1820, died in Demmin,
Pommern (Prussia) about 1872. According to family tradition,
Wilhelmina was of the nobility her father being a Prussian
Cavalry officer. She was reserved for a person of higher rank.
When she married Joachim, they were disowned because he was a
farmer of common blood.
Of the union of Joachim and Wilhelmina
came seven children all born in Kreis Demmin: Charles,
Frederica, William, Lena, Frederick, Amelia, and August.
With the immigration of family members
came documentation to verify their names and history. A
photocopy of the ship’s passenger manifest shows that Joachim
and the two youngest children Amelia and August traveled
together to this country. They sailed on the S.S. Silesia
with Ship’s Master A. Albers, Captain. This ship docked at
the Port of New York on October 10, 1881. The Tietböhls were all listed as "farmers from
Prussia."
After processing through Castle Gardens
the three immigrants settled in Williamsport, PA.
August (1864-1941) was nearly 17 years old
when he arrived from Germany. The 1900 census identifies him as
Augustus W. from Pomerania. He and Sophie Völschow (1870-1934)
were married and living in Williamsport PA. He was an insurance
salesman. Five children were living at home: William, Frederick
J. Sr., Augustus, Charles, and Ralph. Irene and Leroy were yet
to come.
Joachim remains a "shadow
figure" because few details about his life are known. He
never became a citizen of this country, didn't speak English
and there is no record of his having had a will or his death
recorded. He died in 1901 and is buried in Williamsport, PA.
Frederick J. Sr. (1887-1956) married Anna
A. Auchmuty (1888-1953) June 4, 1910. They had seven children:
Frederick J. II, Ruth, Viola, Mae, Pauline, June, and Cleo.
Augustus and his sons established a family
restaurant business in Williamsport that lasted from 1915 to
1968. At one time the family was engaged in rental real estate
as well as the Day and Night Restaurant.
Frederick J. II (1911-1996) married Mary
E. Kilmer Miller (1910-2000). At the time of World War II,
Frederick J. II became a painting and decorating contractor.
Mary E. was a school teacher. Three children were born:
Frederick J. III, Richard J. (1938 -1995), and Susan M. Frederick J. III was
an Air Force Officer, Richard a school teacher and Susan lives
at home. Frederick III married Ruby A. Holyfield (1935 - 2003).
