THE PETER DIETRICH FAMILY

The Peter Dietrich home was about 3/4 miles due north of the Village of Malinta in Monroe Township of Henry County. Peter was born in Durstel, Alsace, France, on Sept. 28, 1835. He came to America at age 18 years and stayed in New York City for two years, working at the cabinet trade. He then went west to Seneca County near Tiffin. This trip took one week by rail. He worked on a farm and was paid $8.50 per month. He attended school to learn English. He met Marie Elizabeth Wolfe who had migrated to America from Reichweiler, Bavaria, Germany. She was born August 1, 1836. They were married on March 16, 1858. Christina was born March 8, 1859. She married Henry Sloan on Jan. 30, 1881. Their children were Harvey and Nettie who married Forest Russel. Henry Sloan died and Christina married James Scheidler. A son Peter was born. Christina died at the birth of her second child.

Louisa was born Sept. 4, 1860, and was married July 23, 1878, to Nicholas J. Bensing. They had four children: Alwilda, Frederic, Mary and Louise.

Charlotte was born July 22, 1862, and married Frederick W. Hollopeter on November 9, 1882. They had threechildren: 011ie Mae, Frederick M. and Barbara Gail.

George N. was born November 19, 1863, and was married to Amanda Dauber on July 2, 1890. Four children were born: Emma (Mrs. Ora M. Reimund), Harry, Hazel (Overhulse-Hershberger), and Mary (Mrs. Charles Hartman).

These four children were born in Seneca County. In 1863 Peter went to Henry County which was in the great Black Swamp, and bought 84 acres nearly a mile north of Bensing's Corners which became the Village of Malinta in 1880. He at once started the construction of a fine log house which was later covered with vertical siding and painted white. To escape service in the Civil War, because of his family, he arranged with his brother Nicholas to come to America and serve for him. He was born September 29, 1837. The north 30 acres were given to him and here he made his home and reared a family. The children were: John, Milton, William, Martin, and Henry, and the daughter was named Katherine. By his first wife he had a son, Adam.

In the new home in Monroe Township four more children were born that lived to maturity and the last several died at birth. Mary was born May 10, 1866, and was married on July 4, 1885, to Richard Ruth. They had four children: Harry, Barbara, Frederick, and Ernest. Barbara was married to Charles Skeele. Mathilda was born May 20, 1868, and in August, 1887, was married to Marion Cline. They had seven children: Martin, who served several terms as treasurer of Henry County, Rollie, Ralph, Peter, Arthur, Zelma and Everett. Martin and Ralph founded the Standard Manufacturing Company of Malinta.

Barbara was born December 7, 1872 and lived nearly one hundred years. She married Frank Burr on November 2, 1894. Five children were born: Bernice who died in infancy, Berneta, Burl, Betsey, and Dorothy. Burl died August 11, 1925. Martin was born August 26,1875, and married Ola Claire Masdon on December 30, 1897. On October 9, 1898, their only child was born, Neff Theodore (who records this history).

Peter Dietrich died July 17, 1931, nearly 96 years of age. Marie Dietrich died on April 24, 1924, nearly 88 years of age. Nicholas Dietrich died February 28, 1918, nearly 81 years of age.

Peter's land was not cleared but he took to carpentering and building at which he had great skill. This area was just being opened up to settlers and builders were in demand. As late as 1895 only 7 acres had been cleared the 54 acres that he had left after deeding the north 30 to his brother Nicholas.

Peter and Marie joined the Lutheran (Trinity) Church of Malinta and Peter was especially active in it after it was built in 1887. The children received their early religious training there. A cider mill was operated by Peter, the first in the area. It was operated by horsepower. Farmers came many miles with wagon loads of apples. In the early years Marie carried her produce in a basket on her head as she walked to Napoleon along the Indian Trail that became known as the Angling Road. She did her trading at Spangler's Grocery. Much attention was given to the garden as much of their food was grown here. All kinds of berry bushes were cultivated.

Peter was gainfully employed building houses and barns and other buildings. Many times he arose very early to take care of the farm chores and then walked many miles to where he was working. The roads of that day bore little resemblance to the roads of today. Most of the country was still wooded. Large barns were built with a heavy frame made of timber. These timbers were either sawed from logs or by the axe and adz from logs. Peter was very skilled at this work and made articles of furniture at times. Both sons, George and Martin, became carpenters of note and most of the large barns in the area of Malinta were built by them over a period of years. They were both very fast workers. Later in life Martin was employed by the Standard Manufacturing Company of Malinta which was founded by his nephews Martin and Ralph Cline.

During World War I, Neff T. Dietrich enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after teaching country school for two years. He saw action in the Argonne Forest and in crossing the Meuse River. In 1923 he graduated from Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland. He worked for The Ridland-Ross Corp. as a designer of automotive frames for forty years.

In his young manhood Martin took to bicycle racing along with Clyde Markley whose father was a merchant in Malinta until the terrible fire of 1906. From 1890 to 1900 this racing was very popular. They participated in many races in different cities. In 1895 a race was held in Napoleon, won by him 2 out of 3 heats. Cash first prize was $50. Another race was held in Napoleon on July 4, 1896. This was afive mile race, won by Martin. About this time he won the Henry County race at the fair grounds defeating Irv. Crampton of Hamler. The biggest race was at Lima, 96 entries, 20 miles across country. Barney Oldfield was a famous rider, and was in many of the bigger races. He lived in Toledo. Martin's best race was at Findley, 45/s miles, 23 starters. He finished first, time 11 minutes 71/4 seconds. While training, Martin and Clyde rode at a fast clip from Malinta to Napoleon and from there to Holgate and then reversed it, riding about 35 miles before breakfast.

Submitted by Neff T. Dietrich Sr.