SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

John Dietsch, Jr., Page 455

JOHN DIETSCH, Jr., is a substantial farmer and one of the leading citizens of Sheboygan Falls Township, his finely equipped farm being located on section 31.  His birth occurred June 7, 1850, he being the eldest child born to John and Kunnagunda (Waltz) Dietsch.  The others of the family now living are Charles and Henry.  The former owns a cheese factory two and a-half miles west of Plymouth, and is an able business man.  Henry, who resides in Forestburg, S. Dak., is now engaged in the teaming business.

    The father of our subject was born May 24, 1824, in Bavaria, Germany.  He was a soldier in the German army and took part in several wars.  By occupation he was a farmer.  In 1847, he concluded to seek his fortune in America, and set forth in a sailing-vessel, which took forty-eight days to make the voyage, on account of meeting with severe storms.  He first settled in Ohio, where he resided for about a year, and there was married, the lady of his choice also being a native of Germany.  She was left an orphan when quite a child and made the long trip to America alone.  She crossed the Atlantic in a sailing-vessel, which encountered very severe weather and high seas.  The voyage took some sixty-six days, and many a time did the passengers think that they were going to be swallowed up by the angry waves.  Mrs. Dietsch relates that she saw lightning strike a neighboring vessel, and also saw a ship being whirled around in a great maelstrom.

    After their marriage our subject's parents came to Wisconsin, arriving in Sheboygan County in 1853.  Locating in Lyndon Township, the father worked for two years for a Mr. Stevens.  In 1853, he bought fifty acres of the farm in Sheboygan Falls Township which was his home for about thirty years.  He made many improvements and extended the boundaries of the place until it comprised ninety-five acres.  The first home of the young couple was a log house, which was supplanted in later years by a good frame residence.  In 1883, he sold this farm for about $7,000, which money he invested in another farm, and again sold out at an advance in price.  His next move was to go to Dakota, but, not liking the country for farming purposes, he engaged in keeping a hotel at Forestburg, S. Dak., for three years.  He then returned to Sheboygan and located where he now resides.  The death of his first wife occurred about 1880, and he afterward married Mrs. Laura Ogle.

    John Dietsch, Jr., was reared to farm life and acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture.  At the age of twenty years he started forth to make his own livelihood without a dollar in his pocket, his only property being a span of colts.  His first move was to rent a farm for one year, the place being the one which he now owns.  Fir five years thereafter he worked at the carpenter's trade, one year in Sheboygan Falls, and the remainder of the time in Sheboygan.  Returning he again rented the farm for five years, at the end of which time he became its owner.  This comprises one hundred acres, with fine improvements, and is one of the fine locations in the township.  It is five miles from Sheboygan Falls and Waldo and about the same distance from Plymouth.  The home of the family is pleasantly situated near the schoolhouse on the corner of the farm.

    The marriage of our subject took place on December 9, 1869, the lady being Miss Fannie Brown, of Sheboygan Falls.  Seven children have graced their union, and all but one are living.  Nellie Maud lives at home and is her mother's helper.  She is now attending the Plymouth High School, and makes the daily trip of ten miles in order to pursue her higher studies.  Carl H., aged sixteen, is at home and attends school during the winter; Eli L. is fourteen years old; Rose May is now ten years of age; Vernie M. is aged four; and the youngest of the family is Fannie M.  Mrs. Dietsch is a devoted wife and mother, and has nobly seconded the efforts of her husband in his various business enterprises.

    In his political views, Mr. Dietsch is a Prohibitionist, is a strong friend of the temperance cause, and has a Good Templars' hall on his farm.  For six years he has been Clerk of his district, and is always interested in the advancement of everything for the welfare of the community.  He is a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars, and in religion is independent, being a believer in any work which will uplift his fellow-men.  His wife inclines to the Methodist faith.