My Genealogy Hound

CHRISTIAN DIETZ (deceased), who for many years was one of the representative men of Mechanicsburg, Pa., was born in York county, this State, Oct. 3, 1832. He was of German-American orign, being a son of Daniel and Lydia (Stoner) Dietz, whose ancestors came from Germany and were along the early settlers of the Keystone State.

When Christian Dietz was but five years of age his parents came to Cumberland county, settling in East Pennsboro township, in 1837, with their six children: David, Mary, Zacharias, Christian, Lizzie and Nancy. All are now deceased except Nancy, now Mrs. Martin Brinton.

On Jan. 24, 1856, Mr. Dietz married Miss Elizabeth Wilt, of Cumberland county, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Wilt, both natives of Lancaster county and descendants of German parents. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dietz was blessed with children as follows: George W. (deceased) married Elizabeth Shuman, and they had three children. Christian S., Frank and Walter. Alice J. married Fred S. Mumma, and had seven children, Ralph, Milton, Edith, Frederick, Frank, Robert and William. Rebecca married Frank Basehore, and had four children, Samuel, Mary, George and Mabel. Milton married Flora Schaeffer, and they had two children, Wilber and George. Catherine married M. W. Hertzler, and had one daughter, Cora E.

In politics Mr. Dietz was a Democrat, and served in various township offices, being a conscientious official. His religious affiliations were with the St. John Lutheran Church. At the time of his death he owned four of the best farms in Cumberland county, having been an active and prosperous farmer for many years. In 1889 he removed to Mechanicsburg, where he lived retired in his beautiful home at No. 319 East Main street. His death occurred in April, 1902, and the city thereby lost one of its solid, reliable men and excellent citizens, while in his home his memory is ever green. In addition to his other interests Mr. Dietz was president of the Mutual Fire Insurance, Co., and in all his operations he displayed the traits of character which gained him success — sterling honesty, steadfastness of purpose and unlimited capacity for hard work.

Since her husband’s death Mrs. Dietz has resided at her home on Main street, where she is surrounded by the comforts provided by his devotion, and dispenses a gracious hospitality to her large circle of friends, who admire her many virtues. In the Lutheran Church she is a very active factor, and her charities are many, although oftentimes unknown except to the recipients.