234                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY


Latham. Her great-grandfather, John Latham, came to Cass township
as a pioneer, secured large tracts of bottom lands on the Eel river, and
was there extensively engaged in farming during the remainder of his
life. George W. Latham, Mrs. Diel’s grandfather, was engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits in Cass township during the greater part of his life.
David U. Latham was a farmer by occupation, but in addition to his agri-
cultural labors he was for a number of years employed in manufacturing
shingles. He was a life-long resident of Cass township, where four of his
sons are now living. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Diel has been blessed by
the birth of six children, namely: Dennis; Elva; Della; Zora, who died in
infancy; Stella; and Thelma. Mr. Diel is quite prominent in fraternal,
circles, belonging to Brazil Lodge No. 364, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons; to Paul Revere Lodge No. 374, Knights of Pythias; to Brazil
Camp No. 3418, Modern Woodmen of America; and to the Home
Defenders No. 1.

    FREDERICK WILLIAM WERREMEYER.—No country has afforded
greater opportunities to the poor man than our own, his chances for
accumulating wealth being many. Some, it is true, fail to do so, but the
best of our population lay by some of their earnings, and in course of
time find themselves in the possession of a handsome property. Promi-
nent among this number is Frederick. W. Werremeyer, a well-to-do
farmer of Harrison township. He was born February 14, 1854, in Prus-
sia, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, John Henry
Werremeyer.
    Learning the trade of a carpenter and cabinet maker, John H. Werre-
meyer followed it during his active life. He was twice married by his
first wife, having three children, Minnie, Elizabeth and Fritz. His second
wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Hackman, spent her entire life
in Prussia, dying there at the age of sixty-four years. She bore him six
children, namely: John H., Sophia, Herman, Frederick W., August and
Lizzie. The latter died when fifteen years old. Herman was for some
years employed in government work, and later became a sailor. All of
the others emigrated to America, The father, also, came here after the
death of his second wife, in 1881, and made his home with his children
until his death, in 1884, at the venerable age of eighty-four years.
    Frederick W. Werremeyer attended school regularly until fourteen
years old, and the following three years worked at any honest employment
that he could find. Then, allured by the glowing accounts given of life
in America, he came to Indiana, locating in Clay county. He could not
speak the English language, and had very little capital to start on, his only
endowments being good health, strong hands and a willing heart. Indeed,
thus equipped no man need be afraid. Settling in Poland, Cass township,
Mr. Werremeyer worked for seventeen years at the carpenter’s trade, and
with characteristic German thrift saved his earnings, accumulating quite
a sum of money. This money he judiciously invested in land, buying in
1888 his present homestead property in section fifteen, Harrison township,
in the Eel river valley. A log barn had previously been erected, and also
a frame shack, which he and his family occupied a few months. Mr. Wer-
remeyer has been very successful in his operations, and has added excel-
lent improvements, having now a fine set of frame buildings, a good
orchard and many shade and ornamental trees, all adding decidedly to the
value and beauty of the estate. He has bought additional land, having