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THE DIEKE FAMILY

Henry Dieke, the first of the family to come to LaGrange, Illinois, was born in Hanover, Germany on January 7, 1818.  He served for five years in the regular army before coming to America in 1845, where he hoped to become an American citizen in a free country where there was equal opportunity for all and religious freedom.

On November 5, 1845 he was married to Wilhelmina Wesemann, daughter of Louis Wesemann and Catherine (Dunker) Wesemann.  Wilhelmina was also a native of Hanover, Germany.

He secured work digging the Michigan Canal about 1847-47.  He was employed there almost two years, receiving board and lodging, had ample clothing and shoes to last him thru that period.  When through, the contractor disappeared so he received no further compensation for his two years of hard labor.

In 1851 he bought a farm on the old Indian trail later known as Mannheim Road and built the large brick house which is now 515 North LaGrange Road.  The basement walls are three feet thick solid brick.  This homestead was reputed to be the finest house in LaGrange when it was built in 1851.

In these early days he drove oxen and used them for farm work; he used to drive them to Chicago, leaving about midnight with a load of hay or grain, and considered it a speedy trip if he returned by the following midnight.  He used to tell how the oxen would lie down when they got tired and couldn't be urged on until they were rested.

They had four children, Louis, Louisa who was born May 15, 1854 and two sons, both named William who died in infancy.

Louis Dieke was born in Proviso Township in 1852.  In 1874 he was married to Katherine Bohlander, daughter of Philip Bohlander.  Katherine was born in 1855.  Louis died in 1892, Katerine in 1888.  Both are buried at Proviso, Illinois.  They had nine children: George Jacob; Richard P., Henry,  Philip, Louis, Minnie, Caroline, William H. and Gustaf.

George Jacob Dieke was born in LaGrange Park, Illinois on August 31, 1876.  He was christened at Proviso.  On April 7,1904 he was married in LaGrange, Illinois to Emma F. Reinke.  Emma Reinke was born in LaGrange.  They have two children, Florence and Esther. They live in the old family residence at 515 N. LaGrange Road.  Of himself, father says: "When thirteen years old, having lost both my parents, I went to Oak Park to attend public school for two terms, working in a General Store for my board and room.  After two years, I left school and worked at this store full time for $11.00 a month, including board and room."   "My next job was in a General Store in Melrose Park, where I received $16.00 a month.   "After a year I went to Maywood and worked in a Grocery and Market for $20.00 a month.  At this time Bryan and McKinley were running for President of the United States.    "I next began to work for the Suburban Electric Railway which began operating at this time.  I held the position of Motorman until December 1904, a period of eleven years.  "I then entered the retail shoe business in LaGrange, continuing in that until April 3, 1924.  I have been a member of the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Proviso for 63 years.  I am a Republican."

There was an old Indian cemetery located north and west of the present LaGrange Cemetery.  It was discovered when a sand pit was being dug at which time many skeletons were unearthed.

Another old cemetery was on the east side of Wolf Road about 1500 feet south of 22^nd Street, immediately south of an orchard adjoining the residence of the pastor of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church.  This cemetery was plowed up in 1922, as it had not had a new grave in 50 years and only one of the old graves were being taken care of.  Permission was given to grade the land and sow seed.

Florence Katherine Dieke was born in LaGrange on January 11, 1905.  She attended St. John's Lutheran School, Lyons Township High School and National Kindergarden School where she received her training as a teacher. She was married to Waddell Henderson in the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Proviso, Illinois.

They have two daughters, Susan Waddell Henderson who was born on December 17, 1938 and Jane.

Esther Carolyn Dieke was born in LaGrange, Illinois on October 22, 1906. She attended St. Johns and High School and graduated from Valpraiso, Indiana.  She was married at the family home to Hillman Holmberg.

Richard P. Dieke was born in 1878 in LaGrange Park, Illinois.  He married Minnie Bier.  They had four daughters, Marvel, Myrtle, Edith and Marian.  He died at his home in Lyons, Illinois on September 5, 1938 and was buried in Arlington Cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois.

Henry Dieke was born in 1883. He married Ruby Crow.  They live in South Chicago.

Philip Dieke was born in 1885.  He married Elea Kurth.  They live in Hinsdale, Illinois.

Louis Dieke was born in 1890.  He married Janet Brown.

Gustaf Dieke was born in 1888.

Minnie Dieke was born in 1881.  She married Herman Kamseyer. They live in Hinsdale, Illinois.

Caroline Dieke was born in 1880. She married Henry Andermann.  They live in Hinsdale, Illinois.

William H. Dieke was born in 1875.  He married Edith Tigh.

Taken from "The Old Settlers of LaGrange, Illinois and Vicinity" compiled by Leona Hopper Newbill

Last Modified:  01/17/2004