Nocholas Thill Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 517-518 

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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NICHOLAS THILL, a progressive agriculturist, whose pleasant home is 
situated on section 2 of Plankinton township, Aurora county, is one of 
the few western farmers who have successfully combined modern methods 
and ideas with conservative common sense in the prosecution of his 
chosen calling. No new crazes or fads can secure his approval, unless 
recommended by his own reason and common sense. The cry of over-
production does not frighten him into selling when the markets are 
demoralized, nor the fear of a shortage cause him to buy when prices 
are inflated.  

Mr. Thill was born in Luxemburg, Germany, in 1846, and is of French and 
German extraction. His parents were John and Barbara (Grind) Thill, to 
whom were born four children. Of these our subject is the only 
survivor. When he was but a child the family came to America and 
settled in Grant county, Wisconsin. There our subject lived with his 
parents until their death, and then continued farming in that county 
until 1884. At that time he removed to Aurora county, South Dakota, and 
purchased the quarter-section on which he now makes his home. He 
shortly after filed a timber claim to an adjoining tract, which now 
comprises a part of his farm. He is at present devoting much attention 
to the growing of young stock and the selection of cows for dairy and 
breeding purposes. Observation and experience have taught him that the 
future of that region of the northwest lies in this direction. His farm 
is enhanced by many valuable improvements and conveniences for the 
prosecution of modern farming, and his residence and farm buildings are 
of the most substantial and practical kind.  

Mr. Thill was married to Louisa Abarth, on June 2, 1874. They are the 
parents of an intelligent family of four children, named as follows: 
Matilda, Charles, Edith and John.  

Their home is located but a short drive from the city of Plankinton, 
and the best educational advantages are being provided for the 
children. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church. In 
politics Mr. Thill is a Democrat and an advocate of high license.