TRACT #14 (SOUTHERN 1/2) – JOHN THEYS

John Theys was the fifth signer on the Incorporation Petition for Federal Heights.  John purchased the southern half of Tract #14 from Alberta Ford on October 8, 1936.

Johann Theis, Jr. was born in November 1870 in Germany to Johann and Cath (Haas) Theis.  Johann, Jr., his parents, one brother and seven sisters arrived in New York City on the steamship Hohenzollern on May 20, 1884.  Over time, Johann Theis Americanized his name to John Theys (pronounced tice).

On January 14, 1893, John married Matilda “Tillie” Lipp.  The couple had five children, two who died as young children.  John and his family lived in Arapahoe County for about 30 years, with a home in Petersburg, Retreat Park and the Town of Sheridan, where John was a Town Trustee and Treasurer.  He was a laborer with many other immigrant workers in Globeville at the Globe Smelter.  He also worked as a saloon keeper and taxi driver before he was involved in an incident that forced him to sell the family's property and move to a home on South Bannock Street in Denver.  John worked as a chipper, cupola tender, molder and furnace man at Capitol Foundry on West Colfax for the next few years.

Matilda died in 1932 at the age of 66.

John purchased the south half of Tract 14 on North Federal in 1936 with all improvements and with the domestic tap from artesian well on the adjoining property with the water rights and one share of water in North Federal Heights Mutual Water Company, together with “service station improvements and fixtures and also service station equipment consisting of 2 Gas Pumps, 1 Air Compressor; 1 Counter; 1 Showcase; 3 Stools; 2 Booths; 1 Long Table and Cupboard and 1 Ice Box.”

John Theys lived on his property on North Federal until May 21, 1940 when he sold it to Frank Wrather.  John passed away later that year.  John and Matilda are buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.