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FRED TIEDEMANN. — An extensive and well-to-do agriculturist of Benton county, Fred Tiedemann is prosperously engaged in his independent vocation on one of the best improved and most desirable farming estates of Leroy township. It has a fine location on section nineteen, and comprises four hundred and sixty-five acres of fertile land under excellent cultivation, and, with its comfortable and convenient set of buildings and their neat and tasteful surroundings, invariably attracts the attention of the passer-by. The descendant of a German family of stability and worth, he was born, October 5, 1847, in Prussia, Germany. His parents, Henry and Alice (Schultz) Tiedemann, spent their entire lives in the Fatherland, and there reared their children, of whom but three are now living, as follows: Fred, the subject of this sketch; Herman, living in Germany; and Mrs. Minnie Niebuhr, a widow, residing in St. Clair township.
Reared on a farm, and obtaining a good common school education, Fred Tiedemann remained in his native country until twenty years of age, when, to escape being drafted into the army, he emigrated to the United States, coming here in 1867. After spending a year in Baltimore, Maryland, he migrated to Illinois, and worked in that state and in the vicinity of Davenport, Iowa, for quite a while. In the meantime he had the misfortune to lose one leg, being forced to have it amputated just below the knee, crippling him for life. Although thus handicapped, Mr. Tiedemann labored bravely, never once becoming disheartened, and has proved himself one of the most competent farmers of this large state. Locating in Benton county in 1878, he bought eighty acres of land in sections 4 and 5, Leroy township, and in the two-room house standing on the place began housekeeping all alone, and for four years kept up his bachelor apartments, in the meantime carrying on his land. He succeeded well in his undertakings, and as his means increased bought additional land, becoming owner of two hundred acres of land in that vicinity. In 1893 Mr. Tiedemann purchased his present home farm of four hundred and sixty-five acres, on section 19, and has made improvements of an excellent character on the place. He is widely known as one of the most practical and progressive agriculturists of the county, his six hundred and sixty-five acres of land being all in a high state of culture and very productive.
Mr. Tiedemann married, December 14, 1882, Wilhelmina Kettler, who was born in Germany and came to this country in 1879, at the age of nineteen years, her birth having occurred April 13, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Tiedemann are the parents of seven children, namely: Alvina, wife of William Peterman, of Leroy township; Fred; Albert; Amanda; William; Elmer; and Delia. Politically Mr. Tiedemann is Independent, casting his vote in favor of the best men and measures, regardless of party prejudices. Religiously he and his family are members of the German Lutheran church at Luzerne.
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