DIETERICH, Hon. WILLIAM H. received his preliminary education in the district schools of Brown County, and then entered the Normal school at Rushville. Following this he took a business course and then taught school in his native county and afterward had charge of the Normal department of the Rushville Normal and Business College, for one year. In the winter of 1898 he began the study of law with the law firm of Glass & Bottenburg, of Rushville, completing his course at the Northern Indiana Law School at Valparaiso. In 1901 he was admitted to the bar, and at once began practicing at Rushville. His ability as a trial lawyer was recognized and he had a place at the trial table of every important case tried in the local courts, and has participated in the trial of cases in almost every county in the military tract.

Judge Dieterich is affiliated with the Democratic party and has always taken an active interest in local and state politics, having acted as chairman of the county, central and senatorial committees, and has been honored with the positions of alderman of his resident ward in Rushville, city attorney of that city for two terms, treasurer of the Rushville Union schools for three terms, master-in-chancery for two terms and county judge one term. At present he is special inheritance tax attorney under the attorney general. During 1909-10, while he was county judge, he held court in the civil branch of the Municipal court of Chicago. After he left the bench he went to Chicago and practiced law, having charge of the trial work of the law firm of Eddy, Haley and Wetten. After a year, however, he moved to Beardstown, where he has located permanently for the practice of his profession and has built up a splendid practice.

In May, 1900, at Rushville, Ill., Judge Dieterich was united in marriage with Nora S. Runkle, a native of Schuyler County, being a daughter of Joseph and Carrie (Snyder) Runkle. Judge and Mrs. Dieterich have one daughter living, Ruth R., at present a member of the Junior class of the Beardstown High school, another daughter, Helen Louise, having died at the age of five years.

Judge Dieterich's rise has been steady and brilliant. From one office to another, he has speedily advanced and during all of his public service he has always kept the needs and rights of the people before him. Such a man as he is needed in the councils of the great, and further honors no doubt await him, for his abilities and preparation fit him for almost any duty connected with his profession that he might be called upon to perform.