FREDERIC DIERKING, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Belleview Precinct, Calhoun County, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 26, 1844, he being the son of Frederick and Louisa Dierking, natives of Germany. His mother died in 1868 and his father now resides in Platte County, Mo., being quite advanced in years. They were the parents of three children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. He came with his parents to America when two years of age and the family went direct to Platte County, Mo. In that county our subject passed his youth and there received his education, but after reaching his seventeenth year he traveled through different States, among which were Kansas, Colorado and Illinois, following teaming and farming as circumstances allowed. In 1869 he removed to Calhoun County, but in the course of a few years went to Cherokee County, Kan., where he remained about four years, and at the expiration of that period returned to Calhoun County and has continued to reside here up to the present date.
Mr. Dierking was married April 11, 1870, to Miss Esther Tharp, daughter of Charles Tharp (deceased). Their union has been blessed with twelve children, eleven of whom are living, viz: Lula, John, Nellie, Oliver, Frederick, Myrtle, Arthur, Olga, Roy, Goldie and Harrison.
Our subject owns four hundred and eighty acres of land which he has secured by means of his industry and perseverance. He is a self-made man and has labored well and faithfully through the entire course of his life, and his efforts have been for the most part crowned with success. He commenced a business career with practically no financial standing and his farm was, when he took possession of it, scarcely more than a wilderness; although encountering all the hardships and privations incident to a pioneer life he has cultivated his estate very highly and is looked upon as a first class, wide-awake business man.
Mr. Dierking has numerous warm friends in Calhoun County and is especially popular in Belleview Precinct, where he has at different times been elected to hold offices of responsibility and public trust. He has served as a School Director most successfully and is a strong advocate of all measures that tend to elevate society and advance the educational and religious standing of this precinct. As politician he enjoys the confidence of the entire community, for though he received none of the educational advantages offered young men of the present day he has managed to keep himself thoroughly informed regarding matters of national or local importance, being the fortunate possessor of an excellent memory and good judgment.
Extracted 16 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, page 625
| Pike IL | ||
|
Pike MO Lincoln MO |
 |
Greene IL Jersey IL |
| St Charles MO |
