BIO: Frank R. DIETZ, Clearfield County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm _____________________________________________________________ From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr., Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, page 735. _____________________________________________________________ FRANK R. DIETZ, owner and proprietor of one of the leading hostelries of DuBois, Pa., the St. James Hotel, a fine structure situated at Nos. 136-138-140 W. Long Avenue, has had much experience in the hotel business; has a wide acquaintance and is popular as a host. He was born at Freyburg, Clarion County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and a grandson of John Dietz. The latter came from Berks to Clarion County as a pioneer in 1816 and hauled merchandise all through this section of Pennsylvania before the railroads were built. Jacob Dietz was born in Berks County and accompanied his father to Venango County, where he later became a farmer and passed the remainder of his life. Frank R. Dietz was born June 3, 1847, the second eldest in a family of five children. He remained at home until he was fourteen years old, attending school in an old log structure not far from his father's farm. He then started out for himself, going to the oil fields in Venango County and by the time he was sixteen years of age became a driller, working as such for four years, and for twenty years continued to be connected with the oil business, the last fifteen years being an operator and was a contractor and producer in Venango, McKean and Clarion Counties. For two years he then engaged in the hotel business in the latter county, for two more years was in the livery business at Kane, Pa., and then operated a hotel there for several years. This he subsequently sold and for three years afterward was in the hardware business at Kane. From there Mr. Dietz went to Punxsutawney, where he conducted the National Hotel for six years, afterward moving to Reynoldsville, where he conducted the Hotel Belmont, now the City Hotel, for three years. In 1902 he came to DuBois and purchased his present place of business from B. K. Fisher. It is a fine property, well located for all purposes and has forty bed-chambers, together with the other rooms, including lobby, office and restaurant, provided for the comfort and accommodation of guests. For all the advantages here offered, Mr. Dietz makes a moderate charge, his rates being $1.50 and $2 per day. He owns other valuable real estate in the borough. Mr. Dietz was married in 1883, to Miss Eleanora Hartle, of Clarion, Pa., and they have seven children, as follows: Clair, Charles, Helen, Austin, Henry, Walter and Gertrude. Mr. Dietz is a member of the Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a Republican.