DEITRICK, J E

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM

pg 534, 535

JOSEPH E. DEITRICK.  In addition to being one of the most substantial farmers of Harmony Township, Clark County, Mr. DEITRICK is successfully engaged in the breeding of Hambletonian and Clydesdale horses in connection with which he has obtained an enviable reputation. He resides on his father in-law’s old homestead, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres of choice land to which the children have added three hundred and ninety-two acres in Beaver Creek Valley and erected a fine brick residence. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Madison Township, Montgomery County, this State in 1848 and is a son of Joseph and Rachel (BROWN) DEITRICK, the former of whom was born in Montgomery County in Montgomery County and the latter in Brownsville, IN. The parental family consisted of three sons and three daughters, viz: Elizabeth, Peter, Susan, Joseph E., Theodore and Sarah, all of whom lived to be over sixteen years old. The family originated in Switzerland, of which country the paternal grandfather, Peter DEITRICK was a native and whence he emigrated to the United States as early as 1800. He occupied himself in farming pursuits and was the father of three sons and three daughters. 

Joseph E. DEITRICK spent his boyhood and youth quietly and uneventfully  and was occupied in farm pursuits, obtaining his education in the common school. On the 13th of May 1880, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Caroline E. BAIRD, who was born at the farm where she now resides to Peter C. and Frances (WILSON) BAIRD. Mr. BAIRD was a native of Westmoreland County, PA and was born September 16, 1792. His good wife was born in Lincoln County, NC August 29, 1802. 

Peter BAIRD was only two years old when his parents leaving Pennsylvania started in 1794 down the Ohio River and settled in Fleming County, KY where they resided until 1808. Thence they changed their residence to Clark County, this State settling on Section 30, of what is now Harmony Township. The wife and mother died there August 12, 1859. Mr. BAIRD survives his partner for a period of fourteen years, dying November 1, 1873. Twelve children were born to them, eleven of whom grew to mature years. These were named respectively: William J., Clarissa J. who married John MILLS, Dorothy, who died when a maiden of sixteen years, John W. and Samuel S., deceased; Willis H., who is now a resident at Dade County, MO; Caroline E., Lewis E., in Jessamine County, KY; Robert J. who was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, being a member of the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry; and Susan M., Mary A. died aged thirty-five years and one died in infancy. 

Willis H. served with the one hundred days' men in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment and Lewis E. served nearly four years, first in the Second Regiment and then re-enlisted in the Thirty-First Regiment. He was wounded through the right leg at Chickamauga. 

The father of Mrs. DEITRICK during his early manhood was an old-line Whig and later became a staunch Republican, being a strong supporter of the Union during the Civil War. He and his wife were members in good standing of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. BAIRD was one of the most public-spirited men of his community and a leading farmer. His father, William BAIRD was born in Hagarstown, MD. His wife, Dorothea was a native of the same place and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were born respectively, March 16, 1762 and March 1760. Their children were named as follows: Esther, Susan, Sarah, Peter C., John, Mary and William D. Peter C. and John served in the war of 1812. Grandfather BAIRD was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and removed to Kentucky in 1794. Later he came to Ohio and died in Harmony Township, March 9, 1836 surviving his wife, who died September 4, 1824. The latter had fire brothers who served on the side of the Colonists in the war for independence; her family came from Holland. The father of William BAIRD bore the same name as himself and was of English parentage. He was a slave owner in Maryland during the Colonial days. 

Politically, Mr. DEITRICK affiliates with the Republican Party. His wife and her sister Susan are connected with the Methodist Protestant Church. The family are widely known in their community and enjoy the friendship and acquaintance of the best people around them.

transcribed by Jean Hehn
25 Mar 2002 

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