DIECKMANN, Fred

DIECKMANN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/19/2003 at 20:25:11

FRED DIECKMANN. 

This well-known and popular business man of Clinton, a member of the firm of Paddock & Dieckmann, insurance and real estate dealers, was born in Cheviott, Ohio, December 2, 1860. His father was Frederick Dieckmann, Sr., who was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1833, and at an early age came to America with his parents. Gotlieb F. H. and Margaretha Dieckmann. The family first located in Galveston, Texas, but later removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Gotlieb Dieckmann died. By occupation he was a cigar manufacturer.

The father of our subject was practically reared in the United States and was educated In Cincinnati. He not only prepared himself for the ministry, but also studied medicine. In early life he preached for the German Reformed church, and came to Wheatland, Clinton county, Iowa, in 1876, as pastor of the church of that denomination at that place. Subsequently he gave up the work of the ministry and engaged in the practice of medicine at Wheatland until his death, which occurred in 1889. He was widely and favorably known and was called upon to fill a number of local offices, such as justice of the peace and township clerk. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Supreme Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. He married Miss Frederica Leyer, who died in Clinton, at the age of fifty-four years. The children born to them were Fred,, our subject; Albert M., a resident of Wheatland; Lydia, deceased; Clara E., of Clinton; Emil Louis; and William L.

Mr. Dieckmann, of this review, was graduated at the high school of Wheatland, and took a course at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon. In 1881 he entered into business with his brother, Albert, at Wheatland, under the firm name of Dieckmann Brothers, carrying a general line of groceries, queensware and hardware, and in September, 1895, he was appointed postmaster, and for a year thereafter he conducted both the store and postoffice. At the end of that period he disposed of his mercantile interests, and in connection with the postoffice assumed the management of the Wheatland Spectator. He continued with the Spectator until My, 1888, when in partnership with D. R. Markhan, who was then deputy clerk of the courst, they organized and established the Wheatland Gazette, a Democratic paper. In February, 1889, he disposed of his interests, and October I of the same year he surrendered the office of postmaster to his Republican successor, and in September following he was nominated by the Democratic county convention for the office of county auditor, and in November was elected. So acceptably did he fill the office that in 1892 he was re-elected for a second term without opposition. On the 1st of December, 1896, he formed a partnership with Albert H. Paddock, in real estate and insurance business, under the firm name of Paddock & Dieckmann. In this line he has met with success and is to-day doing a large and profitable business, which is constantly increasing.

Mr. Dieckmann owns a nice home in Clinton. Socially he is a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 100, A. F. & A. M., of which he was worshipful master in 1897, and of Keystone Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekah branch of that order, has served as noble grand and has represented his district in the grand lodge of the state. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of the Red Cross. He is quite prominent in business and social circles, as well as political affairs.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.