Johann Jacob Dietrich ^102,882

  General Notes:

Morton Montgomery's book give us the following

(II) Johann Jacob Dietrich, son of Adam the emigrant, was born in Berks county, June 25, 1773, and he died on his farm in Albany township, whither he had moved in 1817, Jan. 1, 1857. He was an official member of the Lutheran congregation of the Union Church at Lenhartsville, and is buried in the cemetery there. He was an extensive landowner. In about 1817 he settled in "Spitzenburg," in Albany township, where he successfully conducted a tannery and hotel for many years. On Jan. 30, 1829, he obtained a grant from the Commonwealth, through the Secretary of the Land Office, for sixteen acres, twenty-six perches, for $33.78. This tract was lying adjacent to his other land. He also purchased a tract from John Stoudt, a neighbor, for 3,100 pounds. From the Christian Henry estate (to whom it had been ceded by the Commonwealth) he obtained 194 acres, 84 perches, in Albany and adjoining his other land. He owned about 500 acres of land in the southern end of Albany township, around the south and west base of Spitzenburg, part of this land lying across the Albany line into Greenwich township, and he was known as "Spitzenburger Jake Dietrich." This land is now divided into three large farms: The 148-acre farm owned by Jacob H. Dietrich (son of Samuel P. and grandson of Johann Jacob); the Nathan Stump farm (on which Johann Jacob Dietrich built the present barn in 1837); and the Simon Bautsch farm. The last named tract was the homestead farm of Mr. Dietrich, and on it is a one and one-half story stone house, which was erected in about 1760 by the Henry family, the original owners. This had no cellar, and was used as a church many years ago, and also as a schoolhouse, one Karl Cook being the teacher. In a corner in the wall was a hollow or hole, in which the Holy Bible was kept. Mr. Dietrich kept a very popular hotel, known as "Dietrich's Hotel," in this house for many years, and about 1800 built a stone addition on the west side. Battalion days were held annually in an open field at the Spitzenburg, and on this day the militia met and drilled in all the splendor they could muster. Each company tried to exhibit the best discipline. Dietrich's battalion was always largely attended, and was a very joyful occasion, the ladies in their bright attire adding to the brilliance of the scene. The day, however, usually wound up somewhat disastrously, as the disputes regarding the relative merits of those participating in the day's work were frequently settled by blows. Mr. Dietrich was also a distiller, and burned considerable apple-jack, the ruins of his old distillery still being visible in the meadow facing the house. He sold a "smaller," a drink of apple-jack, for two cents. He was a man of no little prominence and influence in his district, and while of mild disposition and kind heart, he was unbending in his convictions, and was very strict in his discipline of his children. He was smooth-shaven, had black hair and clear white teeth, and though small in stature was possessed of great strength, being able to carry twelve bushels of wheat at one time, six bushels of which he could shoulder alone.
In 1806 Johann Jacob Dietrich married Christina Peiffer (1786-1861), and they became the parents of eleven children, namely: (1) Daniel (born 1808, died 1872) m. Anna Christman. (2) Samuel (born 1810, died 1898) m. Sarah Heinly. (3) Henry (born 1812) m. Anna Kline. (4) Jacob P. m. Leah Greenanwald. (5) Gideon P. (born 1815, died 1898) m. Susan Moser. (6) Solomon P. (born 1817, died 1901) m. Anna Hein. He was a well-known citizen of Albany township. (7) Polly (born 1819, died 1900) m. Charles Greenanwald. (8) Sally m. Peter Kline. (9) Moses P. (born 1824, died 1906) m. Anna Dreibelbis, owned and conducted a grist mill on the Ontelaunee, at Lenhartsville for many years. (10) Charles P. (born Nov. 11, 1826), formerly a well-known citizen of Albany township, who now lives at Reading, m. Kate Smith. (11) Caroline (born 1830) m. Peter Krause, of Klinesville. He died in the ninetieth year of his age in 1909. She died shortly afterward. ⁸⁸²

Johann married Christina Peiffer in 1806.⁸⁸² (Christina Peiffer was born in 1786 ⁸⁸² and died in 1861 ⁸⁸².)