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.
