Diekmann, C.H.

ROHRSSEN, MEYER, BOLTE, KOONTZ

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/10/2009 at 16:32:59

C.H. Diekmann, a prominent and valued resident of Denver living retired after a number of years connection with business interests here, was born in Germany in 1864, a son of Ludwig and Wilhelmina Diekmann, also natives of the fatherland. The parents came to America in 1872 and settled in Bremer county, the father buying land in Maxfield township. He there followed agricultural pursuits until his retirement. Both parents have passed away, the father dying in 1891 and the mother in 1908. To their union were born seven children, four of whom survive: Fred, of Readlyn, Iowa; William, of Howard county; C.H. of this review; and Louis, a resident of Waterloo.

C.H. Diekmann was eight years of age when he came with his parents to America and he continued an education begun in Germany in the public schools of Bremer county. When he was twenty-four years of age he and his brother built a creamery at Klinger and operated this together for a number of years. Later C.H. Diekmann purchased his brother's interests but after operating the enterprise for a short time sold it. Two years later he again bought the creamery and this time conducted it for twelve years. When he again sold he moved to North Dakota, where he bought land and farmed for one year, but at the end of that time he returned to Denver, where he opened a restaurant and pool room. He again went into partnership with his brother and they continued their association for some years, meeting with a gratifying degree of success. in 1913 Mr.Diekmann of this review disposed of his interests and retired from active life. He has a comfortable home in Denver and other residence properties besides a valuable business building, and he owns also four hundred and eighty acres of improved land in North Dakota.

In 1889 Mr. Diekmann married Miss Caroline Rohrssen, a native of Bremer county and a daughter of Henry and Minnie Rohrssen, who came from Germany and settled in Illinois, later moving to Bremer county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming until his death. Henry Rohrssen was twice married and by his first union had three children: a daughter, deceased; Caroline, wife of the subject of this review; and Henry, of Blackhawk county. By his second marriage Mr. Rohrssen became the father of four children, three of whom are yet living, namely: Louis, of Tripoli, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Meyer, of Readlyn; and Charley, of Bremer county. Mr. and Mrs. Diekmann have four children. Henry, who was born in 1889, now operates a general mercantile establishment in Denver. He married Miss Sara Bolte and they have a daughter, Amelda. Minnie is the wife of George Koontz. Fred and Richard, who complete the family, are attending business college in Waterloo. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Diekmann is a democrat in his political views. He is a man who is upright and honorable in all the relations of life and his present period of leisure is well deserved, rewarding many years of earnest and well directed labor.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914