Peter Dickoph (1847-1924)

DICKOPH, WIRTH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/28/2024 at 11:08:57

From Story City Herald July 31, 1924 (page 1)

THE LIFE STORY OF A PIONEER

Peter Dickoph was born in Nassau, Germany, September 24, 1847. He came with his parents to America at the age of 8 years. He lived for some time with his parents near Chicago, Ill. In 1856 they came to Story county, Iowa.

Peter always had a mind to get further so in the spring of 1874 Peter and T. F. Baldus went to Kansas with the intention of making Kansas their future home. But the first hot wind scared them out. The remembrance of his mother's kitchen and the beauty of Keigley branch saw Peter and Doric back in August already and there was no place that looked better to Peter since than Story county.

Of all human creatures that the Almighty created, there were no two alike neither in character and feature and Peter was one of them. He had a mind of his own from childhood on. He had always been a great student of history and nature and once an opinion formed it was hard to convince him against his will. He was a great admirer of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose theory was, "If a man doesn't claim his right he ought not have any", and Peter Dickoph was of the same mind.

Peter Dickoph came with his parent to settle at Kegley branch 4 miles south of Story City and that was his home until about 4 years ago, when he came to make his home with his sister, Mr. and Mrs. John Wirth.

Pioneer live in the early days certainly had its two sides, its hardship and trials and its novelties. When they first came here they had to go to Iowa City to mill and to do their trading. To get money was out of the question, but on the other hand it was from the view point of a boy absolute liberty.

Game and fish were plentiful in Keigley branch. There was no law against hunting and fishing and Peter enjoyed both. He once shot a crane through the neck with a rifle bullet while flying in the air and tapped the largest fish that was caught in Keigley branch that weighed 26 1/2 pounds.

Peter enjoyed debating and he attended many of them and he also very much enjoyed arguing politics and it didn't take his opponent very long to decide which side of the question Peter was on.

Once he saw two little boys in Keigley branch struggling for life, but Peter being so long around Keigley branch was a good swimmer and helped them out again on terra firma. One of the boys was repeating the story a few days ago and said if it hadn't been for Peter they would have drowned in Keigley branch.

Peter was a sufferer for many years, especially near the end of his life. He was utterly helpless the last 4 months. He had no worry whatever except the poor children that became orphans during the war and for the last month he didn't even mention them any more.

June 23rd Peter gave up the struggle for life and the end came quiet and peaceful at the home of his sister, Mrs. John Wirth. He was buried at the Catholic cemetery beside his father and mother, June 26.

Rest In Peace.