Jan 29

Tombstone Tuesday–Johann Dietrich

Johann Dietrich, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Johann Dietrich, located in row 8 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Heir Ruhet in Gott
Joh Dietrich
Geboren
Den. 13 Oct. 1860
Gestorben
Den. 30 Marz 1903

Here rests in God, Joh Dietrich, born 14 Oct 1860, died 30 March 1903.

“Johann” Adam Dietrich was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, on 13 October 1860, the 5th child born to Johann “Adam” and Maria (Germann) Dietrich. Johann was baptized 31 October 1860, with Peter Germann (Sr), Johann Büchner, and Mrs. Catharine Germann serving as his sponsors. His parents were both born in Germany.

Johann Dietrich lived most of his life near Schumm.

The Adam Dietrich household in 1870, Johann, age 9, living with his parents and 5 siblings: Adam, 42; Mary, 37; Augustus 7; Magdalene, 11; John, 9; Ernst, 6; Sophia, 3; and Henry, 9 months. [1]

The Adam Dietrich household in 1880: Adam Dietrich, 52; Mary, 47, wife; Mary MM, 21; John, 19; Ernst, 15; Sophia, 13; Henry, 10; Emma, 6. The father Adam was a farmer. [2]

John’s mother Maria died a few years later, on 28 November 1888, and is buried in row 5 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

In 1900 Johann Dietrich lived on the family farm with his widowed father and 3 of his siblings: Adam, 72, head, Germany; John A, son, 39, Ohio; Anna M S, daughter, 33, Ohio; Henry J, son, 30, Ohio; and Hannah E M, daughter, 26, Ohio. Johann worked on the family farm. [3]

Johann Dietrich died in Toledo, Ohio, on 30 March 1903 of exhaustion, with melancholia as a contributing factor. [4] Another county death record gives his cause of death as erysipelas. [5] Johann was 42 years, 5 months, and 17 days old. He was buried on 2 April and his funeral text was Mark 7:37. These county records show he was born in 1861, but the church records indicate the 1860 date, and I believe the church records to be the most accurate.

Johann’s parents, Adam and Maria (Germann) Dietrich, had the following children:
Jacob Dietrich (1857-1857)
Maria Magdalena “Lena” Margaretha (1859-1940), married Adam Sauer
Catharina (1859-1859), born and died on the same day, twin to Maria Magdalena Margaretha
“Johann” Adam (1860-1903)
Wilhelm (1862-1863)
Georg Ernst (1864-1905), married Clara Schumm
Anna Maria Sophia (1866-1945), did not marry
Jacob “Heinrich” (1869-1935), married Maria Schumm
Hannah “Emma” Magdalena (1874-1956), married Johann “Ferdinand” Schinnerer

 

[1] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p: 20 (penned), dwelling 136, family 137, Adam Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=7163&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 4 Jan 2019).

[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p: 449A (stamped), p.13 (penned) family 116, Adam Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=6742&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 4 Jan 2019).

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 98, p.310A (stamped), dwelling 210, family, 215, Adam Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1900usfedcen/?name=adam_dietrich&birth=1828_germany_3253&birth_x=1-0-0&residence=_van+wert-ohio-usa_2983 : viewed 14 Jan 2019).

[4] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,“ database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89ZR-V9P1-X?i=1160&cc=2128172 : accessed 28 Jan 2019) John Dietrich, 30 Mr 1903, Toledo, Lucas County.

[5] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,“ database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-672K-8L?i=402&cc=2128172 : viewed 28 Jan 2019), John Dietrich, 30 Mar 1903, Toledo.

Jan 25

Why Was This 1904 Newspaper Saved?

Below is a photo of the front page of the Thursday, May 5th 1904 issue of the Willshire Herald. I found the 8-page newspaper among some Schumm papers and I speculate that my maternal great-grandfather Louis J. Schumm (1851-1938) saved the paper. His son, my grandpa Cornelius, would have only been about 8 years old in 1904 and I doubt that he saved it.

Willshire Herald, 5 May 1904.

The question is, why did Louis Schumm save this one newspaper? There must have been something important in the paper, but I am not sure what it is. I can only guess.

Here are some possibilities, from some news items on the front page. You might even see your ancestor’s name mentioned below:

On the front page is a photo of Willshire Public School, ”The Pride of Our Town.” But the school was not recently built at that time. It was completed in 1901.

Willshire Herald, 5 May 1904.

Also on the front page is the report of an accident involving a Chattanooga, Ohio, resident. Louis Schumm resided near Willshire so he probably did not know many people near Chatt. The piece is still interesting:

A Serious Accident
Mrs. George Kuhn, who lives near Chattanooga, was the victim of a serious accident while driving to Willshire yesterday afternoon. Her horse was frightened by meeting a Portland, Ind., sport in an automobile, and upset her buggy. Mrs. Kuhn sustained the fracture of several ribs and was otherwise severely bruised. The Portland tough drove his machine right ahead and never stopped to see whether or not the victim of the accident was killed or how badly she was hurt. The accident occurred right in front of Harrison Miller’s residence at the south approach to town.

There is some political news. I don’t know that my great-grandfather was really into politics, though:

Republicans Hold Another Caucus
Willshire West Republicans held another caucus last Friday evening, but it was a tame affair compared with the judicial contest several weeks ago, less than half as many votes being polled. O.J. Passwater, James Chilcote, Frank Forker and John Beam were placed in nomination for the county convention, to be held next Saturday. Beam and Forker were elected by practically a vote of 2 to 1. The contest throughout the county was generally decided upon machine and anti-machine claims. In the town of Van Wert 17 out of the 22 delegates elected are anti-machine, which the Van Wert Republican interprets to mean, anti-Frank Gamble for delegate to the state convention.

There is a list of recent Willshire Herald subscribers. Louis’ name is not mentioned:

F.G. Kreiselmeyer, Schumm
Otto Brandt, Willshire
Wm. Foreman, Marion Ind.
Mart Kreischer, RFD 5, Van Wert
W.H. Stults, Wren
C.C. Larue, Wren
O.F. Swoveland, Wren
W.E. White, Williamsburg, Ind.
Sol Hetler, Berne
Albert Hertle, Van Wert
J.H. Sipe, Portland, Ind.
John Davis, RFD 1, Willshire
Chris Byer, Willshire
A.J. Shoemaker, Bobo, Ind.
Calvin Morehead, Willshire
Fronefield Bros, Van Wert
Tom Berry, Van Wert
B.L. Parks Spencerville, Ohio
Chas. W. Baker, RFD 1, Willshire

Obituary Mention:
Ruth Krick was born April 18, 1898, died April 26, 1904. She lived the earthly life six years and eight days. She had entered upon the heavenly life to live forever. Her mother, two brothers and a half-sister have gone before her. She leaves three sisters, one brother, a step-brother and sister, her father and step-mother to follow her…

County Official News
Official Acts at the Court House Since Last Friday
Probate Court Items:
The will of the late Catharine Gorman, of Ridge township, has been probated. The husband is given life lease on the property, with the exception of the household effects.

The will of John H. Morgan, of Jennings township has been probated. The property is ordered divided equally among his heirs.

D.X. Baumgardener has been appointed guardian of Earl Baumgardener, of Willshire township.

Marriage Licenses Issued:
Forest Williams, of Ohio City, and Olive M. Roller, of Liberty township.
J.R. Rankin and Winnie McKenzie, of Delphos.
Frederick W. Oechsle and Emma F. Hurless, of Hoaglin township.

Real Estate Transfers:
W.S. Johnson and wife, one-half acre, section 5, Pleasant towship to J.W. and Dale McMillen, $150.
Charles J. Foster and wife, inlot, section 12, Pleasant township to J. M. Stanley, $20.
M.W. McCarty, 3 acres, section 5, Willshire township to Philip Gehres, $200.
Samuel Smith, a tract, section 21, Harrison township to Frederick W. Oechsle, $350.

Common Pleas Court:
…Arthur G. Moon was granted a divorce from Flora H. Moon. The plaintiff is a resident of Delphos.

Casseus L. Wade against Lydia R. Wade. Decree of divorce granted plaintiff. The parties are residents of Middle Point.

No mention of Schumm relatives thus far.

There is a long article about a big oil gusher on the L. S. Cully farm, located a mile northeast of Willshire. It was reported as a “big strike in the Willshire field,” possibly producing up to 1,000 barrels a day.

Willshire Herald, 5 May 1904.

This could be it! This article could be why my great-grandfather saved this newspaper. He lived in the area of that oil well. The article said that new development and increased production in the local field are very promising.

The article also mentioned wells on the E.A. Hileman farm, 4 ½ miles east of Willshire; the Hopf well southwest of Willshire; the Adams lease 6 miles southeast of town; the Widow Lake lease, southwest of town; and the Widow Stamm lease 3 miles east of town.

There was an oil boom in the area at that time, particularly south of Willshire, near Chatt. My paternal great-grandfather Jacob Miller had several oil wells on his farm north of Chatt at that time. Perhaps my maternal great-grandfather hoped for some drilling on the Schumm farm.

For now, my money is on the oil article.

Jan 22

Tombstone Tuesday–Sophie Dietrich

Sophie Dietrich, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Sophie Dietrich, located in row 3 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Sophie
DIETRICH
Dec. 25, 1866
Sept. 20 1945

Anna Maria Sophia “Sophie” Dietrich was born in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, on 25 December 1866. She was the daughter of Johann “Adam” and Maria (Germann) Dietrich, who were both born in Germany. Sophie was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, on 1 January 1867, with Friedrich Schumm and his wife Maria (Germann) Schumm serving as her sponsors.

The Adam Dietrich household in 1870: Adam, 42; Mary, 37; Augustus 7; Magdalene, 11; John, 9; Ernst, 6; Sophia, 3; and Henry, 9 months. The parents were born in Hesse Darmstadt and the children in Ohio. [1] The 1872 plat map of Willshire Township shows that Adam owned 160 acres, the northwest quarter of Section 23.

The Adam Dietrich household in 1880: Adam Dietrich, 52, head; Mary, 47, wife; Mary MM, 21; John, 19; Ernst, 15; Sophia, 13; Henry, 10; Emma, 6. Adam farmed and Mary kept house. [2]

Sophie’s mother Maria died on 28 November 1888 and is buried in row 5 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

In 1900 Sophie lived with her father Adam Dietrich, a widower, and 3 of her siblings on the family farm. Here Sophie was enumerated as Anna M S. Their household in 1900: Adam, 72, head, Germany; John A, son, 39; Anna M S, daughter, 33; Henry J, son, 30; and Hannah E M, daughter, 26. The children were all born in Ohio. This enumeration indicates that the father Adam immigrated in 1838. Sophia’s brother Ernst, his wife Clara (Schumm}, and their daughter Rosa lived next door. [3]

In 1910 Adam Dietrich, 82, son Henry, 40, and daughter Sophie, 43, lived together, likely on the family farm. [4] 

Sophie’s father Adam Dietrich died less than two years later, on 10 February 1912 and is buried in Zion Schumm’s cemetery. [5]

In 1920 Sophie lived with her brother Henry Dietrich and his family. Sophia was enumerated as Sophia Mary in the 1920 census: Henry J, 50; Mary E, 38; Carl A F, 6; Edgar J, 4; Adolph F, 2; Emma A, 1 month; and Sophia Mary, 52. Sophia was reported as having no occupation. [6]

Sophie continued to reside with her brother Henry Dietrich and his family. The family in 1930, indexed on Ancestry.com as Dutrick: Henry, 60; Mary E, 48; Carl, 16; Edgar, 14; Adolph, 12; Emma, 10; Henry, 7; and Sophia, 63, sister. [7]  

Sophie’s brother Henry Dietrich died in 1935 and in 1940 Sophie resided with Henry’s widow Mary and her children: Mary, 58, head, widow; Edgar, 24, son; Henry, 17, son; Sophia, 73, sister-in-law; and Adolph, 22, son. This enumeration shows that Sophie had completed the 8th grade. [8]

Sophie Dietrich died in Willshire Township on 20 September 1945 at the age of 78 years, 8 months, and 25 days. According to her death certificate she died of myocarditis, brought on by arteriosclerosis. Sophie was buried on the 23rd and Rev. A. Moeller was in charge of the service. Her funeral text was John 11:23-27. H.B. Cowan, Ohio City, was in charge of the funeral arrangements. [9]

Sophie’s parents Adam and Maria (Germann) Dietrich had the following children:
Jacob Dietrich (1857-1857)
Maria Magdalena “Lena” Margaretha (1859-1940), married Adam Sauer
Catharina (1859-1859), born and died on the same day, twin to Maria Magdalena Margaretha
Johann Adam (1860-1903)
Wilhelm (1862-1863)
Georg Ernst (1864-1905), married Clara Schumm
Anna Maria Sophia (1866-1945), did not marry
Jacob “Heinrich” (1869-1935), married Maria Schumm
Hannah “Emma” Magdalena (1874-1956), married Johann “Ferdinand” Schinnerer

 

[1] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p: 20 (penned), dwelling 136, family 137, Adam Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=7163&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 4 Jan 2019).

[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p: 449A (stamped), p.13 (penned) family 116, Adam Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=6742&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 4 Jan 2019).

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 98, p.310A (stamped), dwelling 210, family, 215, Adam Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1900usfedcen/?name=adam_dietrich&birth=1828_germany_3253&birth_x=1-0-0&residence=_van+wert-ohio-usa_2983 : viewed 14 Jan 2019).

[4] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.258 (stamped), dwelling 115, family 116, Adam Dietorch; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=7884&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 14 Jan 2019).

[5] “Ohio County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9ZY-T2RF?i=87&cc=2128172 : viewed 14 Jan 2019), Adam Dietrich, 10 Feb 1912; Willshire Twp, Van Wert County.

[6] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 146, p.282 (stamped), p.2A (penned), dwelling & family 35, Henry J Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=6061&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 21 Jan 2019).

[7] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 24, p.5A (penned), 262 (stamped), dwelling 93, family 95, Henry Dutrick; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=6224&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 21 Jan 2019).

[8] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 81-28, p.5B, house no.23, Mary Dietrick; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=2442&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 21 Jan 2019).

[9] “Ohio County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch ( https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9ZY-Y8GC?i=536&cc=2128172  viewed 21 Jan 2019), Sophie Dietrich, 20 Sep 1945; Willshire Twp, Van Wert County.

Jan 18

1937 Germann Reunion Minutes

Last week I shared some information from the booklet, Germann Family Record, Vol. 1, No. 1, published in January 1939. I have copies of the first two issues but I do not know how many others were published. Their purpose was to provide Germann family history, information, and notifications of vital family events.

This first publication includes the minutes from the 12th Annual Germann Reunion, held in 1937, as well as a commentary about the 1938 Germann Reunion.

Minutes Read at the 1938 Reunion

The twelfth annual reunion of the Germann family was held Sunday, August 15, 1937, at Franke Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

A religious service was held in the forenoon with Prof. E.E. Foelber of Concordia College as the speaker. Miss Helen Limbert sang a solo, “The Lord’s Prayer.” Rev. Karl Hofmann, of Dillsboro, Indiana, gave the invocation and also read the Reunion Prayer, which was written by the late Rev. P.F. Germann and which always brings back fond memories of him and the love and esteem he held for his relatives.

Part of the afternoon was spent in listening to a very interesting program consisting mainly of solos by Miss Limbert and Rev. Richard Trojan, and a comedy sketch by the Muntzinger sisters.

During the business meeting a suggestion was made to change the date of the Reunion to the second Sunday in July because of the difficulty encountered in getting possession of a Fort Wayne park in August, and also because the two first Sundays in August conflict with the dates of other reunions in which members of the Germann family are interested. It also was suggested that the Reunion should be held near Van Wert in 1938, but this was left for the committee to decide.

There was no further business.

Respectfully submitted,
Della Brase

One of the “conflicting” reunions could very well have been the Schumm reunion, which is held on the first Sunday in August, every-other year.

Germann Family Record, January 1939, Vol. 1, No. 1

Evidently the Germanns held their family reunion every year, beginning in 1926. In 1938 Laura Germann took the time to write her observations about that year’s Germann reunion:

Reunion Day Ramblings
From the Host City
By Laura Germann

What a big day it was for the Germann family—August 7, 1938. It was then that its members gathered at Van Wert for the thirteenth annual reunion. The day was hot, which may have been one reason why the crowd was not as large as it was in 1927, when Van Wert was host for the second reunion. Or it may be that those who were here then did not have a good time, and so decided to stay away this time. Regardless, the assembly voted to have its next reunion in the vicinity of Van Wert again.

For most of those who attended, the reunion meant extra work on Saturday to prepare for dinner on Sunday, but for the committee and few others there was work for days in advance to get ready for the expected guests.

The New York cousins, who came for the first time, seemed to like their relatives “out west,” because they were very enthusiastic about coming back for another reunion. One of their number, Rev. Gary E. Germann, delivered a splendid sermon at the service in the morning. He came as a 1938 graduate of Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Louis. The occasion served also as a reunion between him, his parents, Gerhard and Edna Germann of Whitesboro, New York, and his uncle and aunt, Albert and Gertrude Germann, of Utica, New York. Gary (short for Gerhard) is a grandson of the late Rev. C.A. Germann of Utica, New York, who delivered the sermon at the earlier Van Wert reunion in 1927. Gary is stationed at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he is organizing a congregation.

The entire art hall in the Van Wert County Fairground was thrown open to the family, the center having been transformed into an auditorium where services were held in the morning, and the program in the afternoon. Long tables had been arranged in the wings for the mid-day feast. The day was hot, but there wasn’t enough hot coffee to go around and Minnie Siegel and Ollie Germann worked hard to supply everybody. When there was no more hot coffee they clamored for ice water. Ruby Germann, who was officer in charge for the day in the absence of the president, Prof. E.J. Germann, who was ill, kindly obliged. Will Hofmann, who had charge of the cold drinks, passed out the ice, and everyone was happy again.

Everybody was occupied with “just talk” after dinner until time for the program. The younger members of the group supplied the entertainment ad special vocal numbers were given by Rev. Richard H. Trojan of Fort Wayne, Indiana, a guest who presents regular programs on radio station WOWO.

A highlight of the day was the registration booth where all who applied were effectively “tagged.” Printed cards were used for this purpose and names and addresses of individuals were neatly typed in the blanks. Throughout the entire day the tags proved to be immensely popular with everyone, both old and young.

Perhaps the busiest person at the reunion was little Miss Ruth Ann Germann of Hinsdale, Illinois. Ruth Ann had never attended a reunion and soon after arriving in Van Wert with her parents, Paul O. and Ruth Germann, and her brother Paul Jr, she began to plan how she was going to meet all her relatives. She decided a good way was to get their autographs and addresses and get them she did! Reunion day found her with a notebook, bought especially for the occasion, busily interviewing everyone in sight to discover if, how, and why she should be related to so many people she had never seen before. Her ides, though simply a personal matter in her case, might be an incentive for a register for all to sign at the reunion another year.

I wish they would have mentioned how many people attended their reunions. The Germanns, like the Schumms, began their reunions with a worship service and after had a very structured reunion, with officers, minutes, and entertainment.

Of course, when I think of family reunions, I think of one of the most important parts—the pot luck dinner with all that delicious home cooking!

Jan 15

Tombstone Tuesday–Johann “Adam” Dietrich

Johann “Adam” Dietrich, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Johann Adam Dietrich, located in row 4 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Johann Adam
Dietrich
27 Jan. 1828
10 Feb. 1912
Alter 84 J. u. 14 T.
DIETRICH

Johann “Adam” Dietrich was born 27 January 1828 [1], the son of Jacob and Mary C. (Werner) Dietrich. [2] According to Zion Schumm’s records Adam was born in Hainstadt, Kreis Erbach, Hesse Darmstadt.

He went by the name of Adam, which I will use in the post.

Sutton’s 1882 History of Van Wert County indicates that Adam Dietrich was born in Germany in 1828 and that he came to America with his father, Jacob Deitrich, in 1838. The family settled in Willshire Township. Adam married Mary Germann in 1854 and they had six children. That biography also gives us a little idea about the life in Van Wert County in those early years: The Dietrichs, like many other early settlers, commenced in the woods without any means. They first lived in a camp till they could build a cabin; cleared a patch of ground for potatoes and corn; that fall they sowed one acre of ground in wheat; they were not able to buy the seed for more. This they cultivated with the hoe, not having a team to work with. He says they have been six weeks at a time without bread in the house. [3]

In 1840 the Jacob Dietrich family resided in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, not all that far from the Schumms. Their name does not look like Dietrich on the 1840 census page and is indexed as “Tudrich” on Ancestry.com, but I believe it is the same Jacob Dietrich family. The number of people in the family and their ages fit pretty well: Jacob, who was about 54, is in the 40-50 age column, shown a couple years younger than he actually was. A male, likely Adam who was 12, is in the 10-15 year column. A female, likely the mother who was age 38, is in the 30-40 year column. And a young female, likely daughter Maria K. who was 8, is in the 5-10 year column. [4]

The Jacob Dietrich family in 1850, in Willshire Township: Jacob, 63; Catharine, 48; and Adam 22. Jacob was a farmer. [5]

Johann “Adam” Dietrich married Maria Germann in Van Wert County on 21 November 1854. [6] Their marriage is not recorded in Zion Schumm’s records so they likely married nearby, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, where many of the Germanns worshipped.

The couple lost several children in the early years of their marriage. Their first son Jacob Dietrich died in infancy in 1857. Two years later, Catharina, one of their twin daughters, died the same day she was born. Their son Wilhelm died in 1863, at just a little over a year of age. Six of their children lived to adulthood.

The Adam Dietrich family in 1860: Adam, 32, born in Hesse Darmstadt; Mary E, 27, Hesse Hamburg; Mary M, 1, Ohio; Eserbert Zimmerman, 19, Bavaria; and Margaret Airaman, 15, Ohio. [7] They lived next door to Jacob and Catharine Dietrich.

The Adam Dietrich household in 1870, where Adam was a farmer: Adam, 42; Mary, 37; Augustus 7; Magdalene, 11; John, 9; Arnst, 6; Sophia, 3; and Henry, 9 months. The parents were born in Hesse Darmstadt and the children in Ohio. [8] The 1872 plat map of Willshire Township shows that Adam owned 160 acres, the northwest quarter of Section 23.

The Adam Dietrich household in 1880: Adam Dietrich, 52; Mary, 47, wife; Mary MM, 21; John, 19; Ernest, 15; Sophia, 13; Henry, 10; Emma, 6. Adam farmed and Mary kept house. [9] The 1886 plat map of Willshire Township shows that Adam owned most of the north half of Section 23, 300 acres. A 20-acre plot in the northeast corner was owned by Magdalene Sauer, likely Adam Dietrich’s daughter, who married Adam Sauer in 1883.

Adam’s wife Mary died on 28 November 1888 and is buried in Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

In 1900 Adam Dietrich, a widower residing with 4 of his children on the family farm: Adam, 72, head, Germany; John A, son, 39; Anna M S, daughter, 33; Henry J, son, 30; and Hannah E M, daughter, 26. The children were all born in Ohio. This enumeration indicates that Adam immigrated in 1838. Living next door was son Ernst Dietrich, his wife Clara (Schumm}, and their daughter Rosa. [10]

In 1910 Adam, 82, son Henry, 40, and daughter Sophie, 43, lived together, likely on the family farm. [11]  

Adam Dietrich died less than two years later, on 10 February 1912, from an infection caused by a bowel obstruction he had had for 30 days. He was 84 years and 14 days old. 84 years and 12 days according to his death certificate. He was buried on the 12th and Buchanan was in charge of the arrangements. His son Henry was the informant for the information on his death certificate. [2] Adam‘s funeral text was from the first chapter of 1 John. According to Zion Schumm’s records he was survived by 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 3 child relatives through marriage, 2 brothers-in-law, and 1 sister-in-law.

Adam and Maria (Germann) Dietrich, had the following children:
Jacob Dietrich (1857-1857)
Maria Magdalena “Lena” Margaretha (1859-1940), married Adam Sauer
Catharina (1859-1859), born and died on the same day, twin to Maria Magdalena Margaretha
Johann Adam (1860-1903)
Wilhelm (1862-1863)
Georg Ernst (1864-1905), married Clara Schumm
Anna Maria Sophia (1866-1945), did not marry
Jacob “Heinrich” (1869-1935), married Maria Schumm
Hannah “Emma” Magdalena (1874-1956), married Johann “Ferdinand” Schinnerer

 

[1] Adam Dietrich’s date of birth is given as 27 Jan 1828 on his death certificate, Zion Schumm’s records, and his tombstone.

[2] “Ohio County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9ZY-T2RF?i=87&cc=2128172 : viewed 14 Jan 2019), Adam Dietrich, 10 Feb 1912; Willshire Twp, Van Wert County.

[3] Sutton, History of Van Wert and Mercer Counties, Ohio, (1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, Indiana : Windmill Publications, Inc., 1991), 257.

[4] 1840 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p. 70, line 15, Jacob Tudrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=8057&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 14 Jan 2019).

[5] 1850 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.172 (stamped), p.343 (penned), dwelling 357, family 376, Jacob Detrick; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com  (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=8054&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 14 Jan 2019).

[6] “Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958,” database, FamilySearch.org, Adam Detrick & Mary Elizabeth Germann, 21 Nov 1854, Van Wert, Ohio.

[7] 1860 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p: 151 (penned), dwelling 1075, family 1069, Adam Dertrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=7667&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 4 Jan 2019).

[8] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p: 20 (penned), dwelling 136, family 137, Adam Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=7163&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 4 Jan 2019).

[9] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p: 449A (stamped), p.13 (penned) family 116, Adam Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=6742&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 4 Jan 2019).

[10] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 98, p.310A (stamped), dwelling 210, family, 215, Adam Dietrich; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1900usfedcen/?name=adam_dietrich&birth=1828_germany_3253&birth_x=1-0-0&residence=_van+wert-ohio-usa_2983 : viewed 14 Jan 2019).

[11] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p258 (stamped), dwelling 115, family 116, Adam Dietorch; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=7884&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 14 Jan 2019).