JOHN GEORGE DIETER though of foreign birth and ancestry, has done good service to the United States as soldier and citizen. He spent several years of his early manhood in battling for national unity in the land which he had made his home, and notwithstanding the fact that he has ever since been a sufferer from disabilities contracted in the army, he has been an energetic worker in the upbuilding and development of Clay County. It is a pleasure to chronicle, even in a brief outline, the life of such a man, and to thus indicate the sterling qualities of his character and the business ability which he possesses.
Mr. Dieter was born in Gross Bieberan, Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, on the 20th day of April, 1841. When a youth of seventeen years he came to America, and landed in New York, where he remained a twelve-month. He then went to Zanesville, Ohio, there continuing about two years, employed at the trade of a barber. Returning to New York he sojourned a short time, and then, in 1861, enlisted in the regular army of the United States. He was transferred to Company D, of the 4th United States Cavalry, and was sent to Leavenworth, Kan., and thence joined the command of Gen. Lyons, at Wilson's Creek. He took a gallant part in some of the most terrible conflicts of the war, as well as in minor skirmishes and hard marches. At Stone River he was struck on the leg by a cannon ball, the wound unfitting him for service for a considerable time. He escaped other wounds, or capture by the enemy, but had a serious attack of typhoid fever, from the effects of which his system has never recovered, and on account of which he receives a small pension. Mr. Dieter's company was escort to Gen. Rosecrans, and while carrying dispatches, etc., was frequently in a position of great hazard. He was discharged at Columbia, Tenn., after having served three years, and returned to the ranks of civil life unfitted for any manual labor.
After being mustered out of the service, Mr. Dieter went to Terre Haute, Ind., where he remained three months, thence going to St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged at Benton Barracks, as foreman of an alley, keeping time and looking after the care of the horses, his health not yet being sufficiently established to allow of hard labor. Following this employment he went to Nashville, Tenn., and engaging with a Government construction corps, was sent to Morehead City, N. C, and worked on a wharf for ship lading. There he remained three months, thence worked his way to New York, and took passage for the Fatherland. Mr. Dieter spent six months in the land of his birth, and in 1866 returned to New York, whence after a short time he went to St. Louis. Thence during the same year he went to Kansas City, Mo., and once more engaged at his trade, barbering. In September of the same year he came to Kansas, and for a few months was in the same business at .Junction City. In 1867 he came to this county and pre-empted 160 acres of land in Oakland Township, afterward taking up a homestead claim of equal extent. Still retaining his shop at Junction City, Mr. Dieter began work on his claim. Late in the year 1868 he removed to Ellsworth, and the next year took up his residence on the claim. He lived there until 1876, when his health failed, and he removed to Dodge City, and again took up work at his trade.
After a residence there of four years he came to Oak Hill, and purchased a stock of general merchandise, together with buildings, and has since been conducting this business. He still retains ownership of the pre-emption and homestead claims, which form one of the finest farms in the neighborhood. He has purchased other farms, and now owns about 700 acres of land, besides his village property and store. In conducting his mercantile business he takes country produce in exchange for goods. He also buys grain, feeding and handling large numbers of cattle. He is the principal business man of this part of the county, and has made a success of his enterprise here. At Junction City, Oct. 8, 1868, Mr. Dieter became a Benedict, the lady to whom he was united being Miss Johanna W. Jansen, who was born in Sweden, and with her father came to this State. Mr. and Mrs. Dieter are the happy parents of eight children, all living. They are named John G. Ph., Anna M. M., Justanna W., Annie C, John N., Charles A., John P., and Nelly B.
Mr. Dieter is of pure German parentage, his parents being John P. and Anna M. (Ramge) Dieter. His father owned and operated a mill in Germany, following the occupation of a mill-wright during his entire life. His death occurred in 1861. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Nicholas Ramge. She bore her husband ten children, three of whom died while quite young. Those who grew to years of maturity bore the names of Anna J., George W., Annie C, John P., John G., John N., and Johannes. Two sons and two daughters came to America; both the daughters have since died; John N. is now living at Clay Center.
Mr. Dieter and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has good standing in the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. He is a Republican and a temperance man, though he does not favor Prohibition. In 1880 he received the appointment of Postmaster at Oak Hill, and has ever since been the incumbent of that office.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Dieter is shown on another page of this volume.
