My Genealogy Hound

N. DIEDRICH, foundry, Bloomington; Mr. N. Diedrich has probably shown more pluck and energy in carrying on his business through difficulties than any man in the city of Bloomington; he is a native of Germany, where the early part of his life was spent, and where he was educated and learned his trade; in 1852, he came to the United States, and located in Bloomington in 1856, and worked at his trade until 1860, when he started the Bloomington Foundry and Machine Shops; this establishment he ran for two years, then sold out and became foreman, which position he occupied until he took the Union Foundry; in 1874, this burned, causing a loss on his part of about $4,000; rebuilding on the same ground, he then contracted with the Ruttan Heating Co.; he did their work for two years, when they failed; this was a heavy loss for him, being about $15,000, though he retained the patterns of the Ruttan Co., and has since been manufacturing the heater himself; since conducting the business himself, he has met with very good success, his shipping facilities are good, being located near the I., B. & W. and L., B. & M. Railroads; the main building of the works is 100x200 feet, the whole containing an area of floor room of about 8,760 feet; he employs from eight to fifteen men regularly, and, during the busy season, many more. He has carried his business successfully through many difficulties; he is now ranking among the solid, successful manufacturers of the city of Bloomington.