Attempting to learn more of Matthias Bernard Thiel's origins. He was born in the Rheinland on January 27, 1858 and served three years in the Germany artillery prior to immigrating to Kansas in July of 1883. I know he and his wife Anna Hartwig had eleven children together in Leavenworth, Kansas where he died in 1931. I have seen his Alien Enemy Registration as well as civil directories, etc. from America, but am having a considerably difficult time ascertaining what town in the Rheinland he was from, or any idea of who his parents might have been.

Admittedly, though I have considerable experience in American genealogy, I'm proving to be somewhat clumsy when it comes to Europe. I would be very grateful for any advice!

Thanks so much!