Historical and Architectural Resources Survey
Village of Thiensville                                                            Page 9
1940, Walter built the house at 218 Riverview Drive (Photo Code 80/19); he died in 1943.6
William Carbys (1826-1891):
Born in Cologne, Germany, William Carbys settled in Thiensville in 1856 and was instrumental in
the village's early educational and cultural development. He organized a singing society and drama
club within few years of his arrival, both of which staged many performances within the community.
He also served on the local board of education for twenty-five years. Carbys operated a wine and
spirit shop in Thiensville between at least 1876 and 1884. He also was elected to a term in the
Wisconsin State Assembly in 1876. Carbys served as the local postmaster in 1878 to 1885 and from
1889 until his death in 1891. Carbys home was located at 200 Green Bay Road. It was razed in
1962 to make way for the Thiensville State Bank building. 17
Dr. A. H. C. Carthaus (Unknown-1961):
For at least a time, Dr. Carthaus had his office in the Thiensville State Bank at 118 Green Bay Road
(Photo Code 75/8) and was associated with Dr. Marshall B. Kaller. Dr. Carthaus lived at 101
Ellenbecker Road (Photo Code 82/2) until his death in 1961. In addition to his medical duties, Dr.
Carthaus also served as a director of the Thiensville State Bank since 1916 and held the position of
vice president of the institution for six years until becoming the president in 1944 (a position he held
until his death). Dr. Carthaus was also elected village president in 1935.18
John F. Gierach (1864-1942):
John F. Gierach was the youngest son of Georg and Charlotte Gierach, and, at the age of sixteen,
began an apprenticeship with master blacksmith August Bohrtz in Cedarburg. In 1889, Gierach
purchased a small home and an existing smithy business in Thiensville. That same year, John
married Augusta Krueger; together they had five children. In 1895, Gierach built his home at 153-
155 Green Bay Road (Photo Code 77/18), just south of his blacksmith shop. Between 1910 and
1913, the blacksmith shop was rebuilt/remodeled to its current appearance for use as a grocery store,
which is located at 157 Green Bay Road (Photo Code 76/4) Gierach served as the first president
16Mohr, ed., History of Thiensville, 4-5; Newsbrief(re: firm name change) Cedarburg News, 18 January 1928;
Bublitz family, genealogical and biographical information; Abstract of title for 127 S. Main Street, In possession of
current owner Madaline Reddy, Thiensville, WI.
'7Mohr, ed., History of Thiensville, 40; Don 0. Miller, "Postal History & Memorabilia: Thiensville-Mequon,
1837-1983," Scrapbook located atthe Mequon Historical Society, Mequon, WI; Wisconsin State Gazetteer andBusiness
Directory [1876-1877], 412; [1884-1885], 729.
'8Announcement, re: Dr. Kaller and Dr. A.H.C. Carthaus (undated), located in the Thiensville Memorabilia
Album, Mequon Historical Society, Mequon, WI; Mohr, ed., History of Thiensville, 75, 84; Jerry Egelhoff, Longtime
resident and businessman in Thiensville, Conversation with Traci B. Schnell, 17 May 2003.