Thomas Diemer Family

Thomas Diemer and his wife, Mary, had been residents of Pleasant Township, Henry County, for a number of years when the Catholic people of the township decided to build their own log church in October, 1847. Thomas was one of the few men who helped build the original church.

Taken in 1908 on a farm RFD, New Bavaria. Sitting front: Joseph Diemer, Sr. and wife Salena (Zoll) Diemer and their youngest child Clarence; back row: Jos. Diemer Jr., oldest, Ralph, Gust or Coxie, Chas Diemer, Wm. Diemer, Frances (Yetter) Diemer, Lewis Diemer, Olive Diemer.

Their son, Henry Diemer, owned and operated a saloon on the east side of the railroad in New Bavaria. Living quarters were attached to the saloon for Henry and his family. Henry and his wife operated the thriving business for many years before 1895.

The Diemer family mentioned are all buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery near New Bavaria.

Theresa, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Ritz) Diemer was born July 4, 1895, and baptized by Father William Hooks. She and John Hoffman were married in November, 1915, at Sacred Heart Church by Father Thomas Kolb. John was a son of Peterand Marie (Wilhelm) Hoffman, and was born September 2, 1887, and baptized by Father John Michenfelder. John had a brother, Peter, and a half sister, Catherine Hoffman Peschel. Catherine and her husband are residents of Toledo, Ohio.

John and Theresa Diemer Hoffman had one boy and five girls. Mary Catharine and Virginia were born and baptized at New Bavaria. John and Theresa then moved to Toledo and the last four children, John, Rosemary, Rita, and Eunice, were born there, and now live there.

Theresa Hoffman (Diemer)

During the late 1870's in New Bavaria. Left: Fred Wenzinger, brother of Frances and Theo; right: Henry Diemer, father of Ida Hasselschwartz, Theresa Hoffman, and Melia Bootley.

The first day for the newlyweds at the Bartley Home, New Bavaria, 1904. Left to right: Frank Bartley, Amelia (Diemer) Bartley, Grace Bevelhymer, Eugene Thomas, Flora Thomas, Frank Mangas.

Peter Hoffman died in 1925. John Hoffman died in November, 1970. One of the solid brass candleholders that was salvaged from the fire in 1886 that destroyed the white frame Sacred Heart church building is kept in an honored place in the home of Mrs. Theresa Diemer Hoffman in Toledo, Ohio.

Submitted by: Walburga Marston and Theresa Hoffman