Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Dittrich, Lawrence 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 9, 2007, 11:59 pm

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

LAWRENCE DITTRICH, who for years before his death was one of the enterprising 
farmers and business men of this county, was born in Buckenhofen, Bavaria, 
Germany, January 20, 1844. He received his education in schools in his native 
country, and from an early age was familiar with agricultural pursuits. At the 
age of twenty-six years he came to the United States, landing in Baltimore, 
and proceeding from there to Chicago. After a short stay in the latter city he 
came to the vicinity of Mokena, where he secured work on a farm. In 1873 he 
married and moved to Joliet, where he obtained work in the rolling-mill. 
During the ten years he was employed in the mill he proved himself to be a 
very competent and efficient workman, and from small wages was advanced until 
he made as much as $160 per month. During 1883 Mr. Dittrich bought an 
unimproved tract of eighty acres of land at what was then called Gfinton. 
Settling upon the place, he at once began its development. He cleared the land 
of stumps and placed it in condition for cultivation. At a later date he 
bought fifty-two acres to the south, which he also brought under cultivation, 
and devoted to general farm products. In the raising of horses and cattle he 
also took considerable interest. While he gave his attention closely to his 
farm work he did not neglect his duties as a citizen, but kept in touch with 
local matters. For a number of years he served as road overseer and later was 
elected highway commissioner. His political belief was in accord with 
Democratic principles. In religion he was connected with St. John's Roman 
Catholic Church. The marriage of Mr. Dittrich, October 22, 1873, united him 
with Mrs. Susanna Brown, who was born in Westbach, Rheinpfaltz, Bavaria, 
Germany, a daughter of Henry Schneider. She was reared in her native land, and 
after her marriage to Mr. Brown came to the United States. By her first 
marriage she had two children, but both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Dittrich were born eight children, five of whom are living, namely: Helena, 
wife of Henry Christman, of Joliet; Henry, who has charge of the home farm on 
section 10, Troy Township; Lawrence, Susanna and Annie. Mrs. Dittrich was 
reared in the Lutheran faith, and is connected with that denomination in 
Joliet. Since the death of her husband, August 7, 1892, she has had the 
oversight of the homestead and the general management of the estate, and has 
proved herself to be a woman possessing decided business ability.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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