My Genealogy Hound

Capt. John A. Dienst is a well-to-do farmer, residing near Siloam Springs Ark. His birth occurred in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, November 24, 1824 and he was there educated and reared to manhood. He is one of six children born to John P. and Mary E. (Keller) Dienst, who were born in Westphalia, Germany, April 27, 1786 and September 26, 1790, respectively. The father was educated in the schools of the “Fatherland,” and was reared to manhood on a farm He was married in 1817, and immigrated to America in 1819, settling near York, Penn. He resided there six months, and then located in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he died in 1846. His wife died in 1850. The following are their children: Mary E. (wife of John Heter), Anna (deceased), Sarah deceased), John A., Benjamin and Lydia (deceased). John A. was married in 1847 to Anna E. Oehler, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, February 19 1828, and came to America with her parents when she was three years old, settling in Ohio. She and Mr. Dienst became the parents of seven children: Rufus and Louis C. (deceased), Henry, and Eugene, Ira, Laura and Oliver (deceased). In 1853 Mr. Dienst moved to the present site of Leavenworth City, Kas., but in 1854 moved to Benton County, Ark., and in 1862 enlisted in the Federal army Company F, First Arkansas Cavalry, under the command of Col. Harrison and participated in the engagements at Fayetteville, Enterprise, Mo.; East Mount, Ark., and others. In August, 1865, he returned home. He located his family in Washington County after the war, and there he continued to reside until 1881, when he located at Siloam Springs, and in September, 1887 moved to his farm near town. He supports the principles of the Republican party and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He and wife are members of the Moravian Church.