Macoupin County
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Biography - HENRY P. DINGERSON

Henry P. Dingerson, who is engaged in the pursuits of general farming and truck gardening on his well located farm of 29 acres, situated in section 5, Mount Olive township, was born on his present farm, January 16, 1870, and is a son of Henry P. and Sophia (Oltmann) Dingerson.

Henry P. Dingerson, Sr., who was a native of Germany, came to America when a youth in company with his parents, who settled in Staunton township, Macoupin County, Illinois. His parents died shortly after coming to America, leaving four other children besides our subject's father. Mr. Dingerson took up the occupation of farming in Staunton township, which he followed during the greater part of his life. He also operated a mill for several years. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California in search of gold and was fairly successful in mining; he returned to Illinois by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City. In politics he was a Democrat. He was married to Sophia Oltmann, a native of Germany who came here with her parents in the 'thirties. Five children were born to them, namely: Louise (Brown), who resides at Joplin, Missouri; George, who resides in Mount Olive township, Macoupin County; Tilly (Leeper), who resides at Joplin, Missouri; Henry P., our subject; and John, who is a resident of Idaho. Mr. Dingerson's death occurred in January, 1879, at the age of 49 years. He and his family were members of the Lutheran Church.

When 16 years of age our subject engaged in work in a mill operated by Hunefeld Brothers, situated at Holstein, Missouri, where he worked for one year. He then went to New Haven, Missouri, where he worked in the mill of Wolf Brothers, remaining there but six months when he removed to New Douglas, Illinois, where he worked in the mill of H. Prange & Son for 12 or 15 years. He later worked for Keiser Brothers, who operated a mill in Mount Olive township. Mr. Dingerson then went to South Dakota, where he worked during the harvest. Upon his return to Mount Olive township, he located upon his present farm and has since been engaged in the cultivation of the property. In all, he owns at present 45 acres, which he devotes to farming, truck gardening and bee culture. He has 50 hives of bees, principally of Italian or hybrid Italian stock, and disposes of the honey in the comb. Mr. Dingerson is a member of the Democratic party, and takes an active interest in the work of the party. He is a member of the International Flouring and Cereal Milling Union.

On April 27, 1898, Mr. Dingerson was married to Martha Dace, who was born in Mount Olive township, Macoupin County, Illinois, January 28, 1879, and is a daughter of James and Jane (Henderson) Dace, natives of Staffordshire, England, and Illinois, respectively. Our subject and wife are the parents of three children, namely: Esther E., Henry J. and Clarence L. Mrs. Dingerson was graduated from the Mount Olive High School in 1897. Our subject and family are members of the Lutheran Church.


Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 430-431.


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