Crawford County >> 1911 Index

History of Crawford County, Iowa
by F. W. Meyers. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1911.

D

Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton.

JESSE T DIETER submitted by Norm Prince

Although he is only twenty-four years of age Jesse T Dieter has charge of a large farm in Jackson township and manages it with an ability that is producing excellent returns. From his earliest recollection he has been connected with agricultural pursuits. He was born in Jackson township, December 21, 1886, a son of John A and Tillie C (Pound) Dieter. The father, who was born in Ohio, came to Crawford county and acquired six hundred and forty acres in Jackson township but disposed of three hundred and twenty acres. He also became the owner of six hundred and ninety acres in West Side township and now makes his home in that part of the county. He is a man of unusually clear and sound business judgment and has met in his chosen vocation with well merited success. There were ten children in the family of Mr and Mrs Dieter, namely; Grace, who now lives in Omaha; Jesse T, of this review; George, Raymond, Leonard, Edward, Lloyd, Ada May and Earl, all of who are at home; and James, who died in infancy.

Jesse T Dieter received his education in the district schools and remained at home, assisting his father, until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1907, having decided to begin farming on his own account, he rented two hundred and sixty acres of his father and later the entire three hundred and sixty acres which remains of the old homestead in Jackson township. He has managed his affairs to excellent advantage and carries on general farming and stock-raising, feeding and shipping cattle upon an extensive scale. He keeps a good grade of stock and receives fair prices for what he offers for sale. His prosperity is the result of constant and well direct effort.

On the 26th of May, 1909, Mr Dieter was united in marriage to Miss May McCalpin, a daughter of William and Catherine (White) McCalpin. Her parents are natives of St Louis, Missouri, and are now living in that city. There were twelve children in their family, eight of whom survive, namely; May, now Mrs Jesse T Dieter; William, Helen, Robert, Ruth, George, Joseph, and Francis, all yet at home. One child, Catherine, has come to bless the union of Mr and Mrs Dieter, her natal day being September 13, 1910.

Mr Dieter inherited characteristics of industry and persistence, which are so necessary in the attainment of any important object, and today he is recognized as a capable man of business, who cannot fail to become a prominent factor int eh development of Crawford county. He and his estimable wife are sincere members of the Catholic church. He gives his adherence to the republican party and is a strong believer in its platform. Socially he is a valued member of the Knight of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America.

HENRY E. DORALE

Among the prosperous farmers of Soldier township is Henry E. Dorale. Starting ten years ago with eighty acres of land, he has made such a wise use of opportunities that today he is the fortunate owner of four hundred and forty acres of good land in Crawford county, becoming one of the leading men of his township. He is a native of Jackson county, Iowa , born January 3, 1870, a son of George A. and Mary (Dove) Dorale, both of whom were born in Germany and came to America with their respective parents when young. Their marriage took place in Iowa and Mr. Dorale rented land in Jackson county for a few years. He then came to Crawford county and established his homestead in Hanover township. He became the owner of two hundred and forty acres, which under his management was highly productive. He died in 1884, being then only forty-eight years of age and in the height of a useful life. The mother is still living with one of her daughters in Stockholm township and has arrived at the age of sixty-sic years. Of their family five survive, namely: Clara, who is the wife of John Quade, of Crawford county; Fred, of South Dakota ; Louis, of Wyoming ; Henry E., of this review; and Mary, who is the wife of John Maack.

Henry E. Dorale was educated in the common schools and continued at home until twenty-one years of age. He began farming on his own account upon a portion of the family estate, comprising eighty acres, which he cultivated for seven years. He then sold his place and bought two hundred and ninety-four acres on section 16, Soldier township. As his resources increased he purchased more land, becoming the owner of four hundred and forty acres on sections 16 and 18. He is an extensive stock-feeder, being especially partial to black polled cattle and Poland China hogs, and few men in the county have been more successful in their undertakings.

On the 29th of May, 1895 , Mr. Dorale was united in marriage to Miss Annie Maack, who was born in Crawford county February 28, 1877, a daughter of Ernest and Mary (Sachau) Maack, both of whom were born in Germany . They were married in the old country and arrived in America in 1870, taking up their home in Rock Island county, Illinois . Mr. Maack rented land for ten years and then bought one hundred and sixty acres in Hanover township, Crawford county, Iowa , where he established the family homestead. He died in December, 1895, but his wife is still living upon the home farm. Of their children the following survive: Henry, who assists his mother upon the homestead; August, of Hanover township; Emma, who is the wife of Fred Dorale, of South Dakota ; John, of Hanover township; Annie, now Mrs. Henry E. Dorale; Matilda, the wife of Andrew Namany, of South Dakota ; and Marie, who is at home. Of the other children Christ and Bernhard are deceased and one died in infancy. Seven children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dorale, namely: Emma, who was born May 6, 1896 ; Elsie, born November 17, 1897 ; Fred, born June 11, 1899 ; Lulu, born February 26, 1901 ; Albert, born May 15, 1903; Richard, born December 5, 1905 ; and Paula, who died at the age of two months.

Mr. Dorale and his wife are active members of the Lutheran church. He is a stanch believer in the principles of the democratic party and has served as a member of the school board for four years, as township trustee for six years and is now on his second term as assessor of the township. He comes of good Teutonic parentage and the traits of persistence and application which he has displayed were doubtless inherited from his worthy ancestry. He is favorably known by the best business men of his part of the county, and his record is additional proof of the fact that the man who possesses energy and determination is on the road to fortune provided he is blessed with sound judgment.

JOHN B. DUNBAR

Although thirteen years have passed since John B. Dunbar, of Denison , was called from earthly scenes, his memory survives in the hearts of many to whom he was endeared by acts of courtesy and kindness. He was a native of Swanton, Franklin county, Vermont , born November 9, 1842 , and was a son of Almon C. and Fannie (Crawford) Dunbar, both of whom were born in Vermont . The father was a miller at Swanton and died after he had passed the age of seventy years, his wife departing this life five years later. They were both members of the Methodist church. There were seven children in their family: John B., the subject of this review; George B. and Almon C., deceased; Elisha B., now living at West Danville , Vermont ; Sidney , of Richford , Vermont ; Sarah, who married Stephen Jones; and Alice, the wife of George Jones, who, although of the same name, was not related to Stephen Jones.

John B. Dunbar was reared in his native town and attended the public schools, graduating from the high school. After laying aside his books he assisted his father in the mill, continuing in Vermont until he was thirty-one years of age. In 1873 he came west and located in Denison , Iowa , where he engaged in the milling business and later became interested in insurance and real estate in company with Charles Bullock. He was for twenty-five years a resident of Denison and became recognized as one of its most respected citizens.

On the 8th of December, 1861 , Mr. Dunbar was united in marriage to Miss Mercy M. Phelps, who was born at Stanbridge , Quebec , Canada , February 7, 1846 , a daughter of Elnathan and Phoebe (Blakely) Phelps, both of whom were natives of Connecticut and went with their parents to Canada . Elnathan Phelps died in Canada at the age of sixty years and his wife passed away five years later, being then sixty-three years of age. They were the parents of the following children: Eliza, John B, Zaccheus Lock, Zaccheus Aylmer, William E., Albert T., Anna J. and Mercy M. The father comes of Revolutionary stock, the greatgrandfather having been a soldier under General Washington. The maternal grandfather, Zaccheus Blakely, was a farmer of Connecticut . Four daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar: Emma Eliza, who died at the age of seventeen and one- half months; Ella Eunice, who passed away at the age of three years and seven months; Ada Julia, who died at the age of eleven years; and Lena Phelps, whose death occurred at the age of nine years.

Mr. Dunbar died August 9, 1898 , having reached the age of fifty-six years and being then in the midst of an active and useful career. He was identified with the Baptist church, of which Mrs. Dunbar is also a member. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic lodge at Richford , Vermont , in which he retained membership after coming west, and politically he gave his adherence to the republican party. During the Civil war he served as cavalryman, guarding the frontier against the rebels, and he bravely performed his duty in war as well as in times of peace, when he set an example of industry, application and helpfulness to others well worthy of imitation.

Although Mrs. Dunbar has been sorely afflicted by the loss of those she held most dear, she has been sustained by an unfaltering trust in a Divine hand that guides all things aright, and her faith in the assurance of holy writ has never been shaken. She has many friends in Denison whom she has attracted by qualities of mind and heart that are recognized the world over as the foundation of a beautiful character. She will make her home in Lafayette , Indiana .