Adolph Tiensch
1820-1897

Adolph Tiensch was born at Baden-Baden, Germany in August 1820. He is first listed in the 1849-50 and 1850-51 Cincinnati, Ohio, directories, Mathematical, Philosophical and Optical Instrument Maker; in the Louisville, Kentucky directories in 1852 as a mathematical instrument maker at A. C. Harig's. Harig, Augustus C., firm Harig and Jones locksmiths and safe-makers. In 1860 he relocated again to Memphis, Tennessee; he died in 1897 in Memphis. His surveyor's equipment made after his last move are marked Memphis.


Best evidence indicates that Adolph Tiensch and Worch were partners in the mid 1850s. At this time, nothing is known of Worch.

In the 1855-56 issue of the directory he has an advertisement on page 239: A. Tiensch, manufacturer of mathematical, philosophical and optical instruments, Third Street, opposite the Post Office. He is also listed in 1859-60 issue of the Louisville directory. While he is not listed in the Memphis directory until 1867, there is evidence that he was in Memphis in 1860. This is born out in the fact that his son, Gustav Adolph Tiensch lived in Memphis ninety years. Adolph Tiensch is listed through the 1895 issue of the Memphis directory, mathematical and optical instruments. He died at Memphis December 5, 1897 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis."

An excerpt from the March 29, 1856 Louisville Courier states, "And speaking of compasses reminds us of a visit we made yesterday to the mathematical establishment of Messrs. Tiensch & Standcliffe, on Third Street, nearly opposite the post office. There we saw a complete Instrumental outfit for a party of engineers who about starting out to survey the Branch Railroad to Memphis.....More elegant work could not be found in any city, nor any made with greater precision and more attention to the necessary scientific details."

There were very few instruments makers based in Southern states, so instruments made in the South often sell at a significant premium compared to comparable instruments made in the North or Midwest. A Tiensch Louisville Compass sold for $2000 at auction, for example, in 2016.