Progressive and enterprising and well versed in agricultural lore,
William C. Diel, of Dick Johnson township, has built up an extensive 
and remunerative business as market gardner, the productions of his 
greenhouses metting a ready sale in near-by and more distant cities. 
A native of Indiana he was born December 13, 1864, in Jackson township,
Clay county. He comes of thrifty German stock being a descendant in 
the fifth generation from the emigrant ancestor, Adam Diel, who 
emigrated from Germany to this country, the line being continued 
through Henry Diel, a native of Pennsylvania; Jacob Diel, Sr.,
who was born in Pennsylvania ; Jacob Diel, Jr., and William C. Diel. A
more extended history of the Diel family may be found elsewhere in this
volume, in connection with the sketch of David Diel.
    Jacob Diel, Jr., was born in August, 1835, in Wayne county, Indiana,
and when but a child was brought to Clay county by his parents. At that
time Brazil was but a hamlet, and the surrounding country a dense
wilderness, through which deer, bears and other wild beasts roamed at
will, and wild turkeys and other game were plentiful. Although never
learning a trade, he was a natural mechanic and for a number of years
operated a shingle mill, managing that in addition to his labors as a
farmer. During the Civil war he enlisted as a private in Company E,
Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which all of his brothers were
members, and served his country bravely. After leaving Jackson town-
ship he lived for a few years in Perry and Cass townships, and is now a
resident of Terre Haute. His wife, whose maiden name was Huldah
Slack, was a daughter of John and Margaret (Wright) Slack, natives of
North Carolina and pioneers of Clay county. She reared three children,
namely: William C., the subject of this sketch; Joseph D.; and Francis M.
    Having completed his early education in the public schools, William
C. Diel began as a youth to make himself useful, his first employment
being in his father’s sawmill. At the time of his marriage he began farm-
ing on his own account in Cass township, remaining there until 1892.
Going from there to Terre Haute, he worked first in the car shops, later
following the carpenter’s trade for awhile, and then entered the employ
of L. H. Mahan, a market gardener, under whose instruction he became
familiar with the special branch of agriculture in which he is now
engaged. Returning to Clay county in 1901, Mr. Diel lived in different
places for two years, in 1903 establishing himself on the farm where he
now resides and beginning his present profitable work. Here he is well
equipped for gardening purposes, the several greenhouses which he has
built having a combined area of twenty-three thousand feet, giving him
ample room for the raising of lettuce, of which he makes a specialty, his
reputation in this line being one of which he may well be proud.
    In April, 1886, Mr. Diel married Ludema Latham, a native of Cass
township, Clay county, a daughter of David U. and Delaney (Mace)
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.