Shannon Forest in Klein in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Theis (Theiss) Family

Photographed By Brian Anderson, June 29, 2019

1. Theis (Theiss) Family Marker

Inscription. Among the first German settlers in northwest Harris County was Johann Heinrich Theis (b. 1800), who arrived in 1846 with his wife Katherina (Benner) (b. 1804) and their four children. The following year, Johann acquired 200 acres of land in the Rosehill Community, where the Theis family joined other German settlers in organizing the Salem Lutheran Church. In 1854 Johann and Katherina's oldest son Jacob purchased 557 acres nearby, and settled among other German immigrants in what later was known as the Klein Community.

In the 1890s some confusion developed in mail delivery to the Theis families in the Rosehill and Klein communities. As a result, Theis family members in Rosehill came to spell their name with a single "s", and those at Klein with a double "s".

Buried in this cemetery at the edge of Jacob Theis' original acreage are Johann Heinrich and Katherina Theis and their son Christian. Although the graveyard is small and the tombstones are missing, the site is a memorial to these early German immigrants. In the family tradition of community involvement and leadership, several descendants have served as trustees of the Klein Independent School District.

Erected 1983 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10794.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in

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these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 30° 2.075′ N, 95° 32.543′ W. Marker is in Klein, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Shannon Forest. Marker is at the intersection of Fernbluff Drive and Mayglen Lane, on the left when traveling south on Fernbluff Drive. Marker is set in the ground and located on the lawn of a private residence. There is a sign pointing to it visible from the street and a walkway leading to the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18303 Fernbluff Drive, Spring TX 77379, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Peter Wunderlich Home (approx. half a mile away); Kohrville Community (approx. half a mile away); Wunderlich Farm (approx. half a mile away); Catherine Wunderlich (approx. half a mile away); McDougle Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Klein Community (approx. 1½ miles away); Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Amos Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Klein.

Regarding Theis (Theiss) Family. The unmarked cemetery referred to in this marker is now located inside someone's yard. There

Photographed By Brian Anderson, June 29, 2019

2. Theis (Theiss) Family Marker

are four small concrete squares in the ground near where the marker is located that are positioned to form the corners of a larger rectangle (two are visible in the photo and two more are located closer to the house, all four are also visible in the satellite view of this location on Google Maps). It's possible that these mark the perimeter of the old cemetery.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.