Bartholomaeus
1858-1935
Dorothea (Schneider) Dittmar
1864-1924

PARENTS TO DORTHEA ARE GEORGE AND DOROTHEA (THEIN) SCHNEIDER

BARTHOL DITTMAR. a prosperous farmer and the owner of many acres of valu- able land in Custer county, came here with the pioneers of the middle '80s. While none {>er- haps, expected a life of ease, they were soon calle<l upon to endure hardships and privations that disheartened many but only aroused great- er courage in others, and to the latter the country at large is greatly indebted, for which reason the historical annals of the state should carefully preserve their names. Barthol Ditt- 788 HISTORY OF CUSTER COUNTY. .\EBR.\SKA mar was born in Germany. Xovember 4. 1858. His parents were Michael and Dora ( Snyder) Dittmar, and his father was a small farmer near Kissingen. There were four children in the family. Barthol being the second in order of birth, with an older brother. John G.. and two sisters younger, Margaret and Dorothea. Barthol Dittmar attended the schools of his class in his native land and as long as he re- mained there he was engaged in farm pur- suits. \\'hen fourteen years of age he received for farm work but seventy-five cents a week. He remained in Germany and fulfilled all the laws of the land as to military' service, but in 1881, when twenty-three years old, he came to the United States. He sought an agricultural section of the countr}', and found ready em- ployment and good wages in Jo Daviess county. Illinois. He remained in that section, working on farms, for the following five years. In the meanwhile Mr. Dittmar had made up his mind to remain in the United States, and he began to seek a suitable location in which to establish a permanent home. In looking over different sections for the advantages and opportunities that would come within his means and desires, he chose Custer county, Nebraska, and he came here in 188?. He lo- cated in section 20. township 13. range 22, on Buffalo creek, and here he has lived ever since. Since then, through his persistent in- dustry, he has accumulated much more land, and at the present time he owns all of section 20 and three-fourths of another section. He has his fanns equipped with stock and ma- chinery- for the most effective live-stock and crop production, and up to 1918 lue had never permitted himself to slacken for a day in the prosecution of his work : therefore it was a matter of family rejoicing when he consented to take a vacation of three weeks. Mr. Dittmar was married February 1. 1887. at Mount Carroll. Illinois, to Miss Dora Ditt- mar, who was born in Germany, as were her Darents. I^wrence and Dorothy ( Schmitt ) Dittmar. Mrs. Dittmar accompanied her hus- band back to Custer county, and in recalling early times here she intimates that pen])le who actually survived conditions through 180,^-4 can sneak with authority of real pioneer hardships. Mr. and Mrs. Dittmar have five children: Albert L.. who lives on one-half sec- tion of land and is farming independently, was ready to respond to the call of the government for military duty; Charles C, who is farming on the home place, was likewise awaiting mili- tary' call; Herman W., the third son, also was eligible for military service; Lulu M., twin sis- ter of Herman W.. is the wife of C. Heine, a farmer one mile south of Oconto, and they have one daughter; and Fred H. is a school- bov of twelve years, with very sensible, prac- tical ideas. Mr. Dittmar and his family belong to the Lutheran church.

Sources: US Census Information & Cemetery Records

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Barthol Dittmar

b. Nov 1858 Germany

d. 1935 Custer Co., Nebraska

bur. Christ Lutheran, Oconto, Nebraska

immigrated 1881

m Abt 1887

Dorothea "Dorothy" Dittmar* (Dittmar)

b. May 1864 Germany

d. 1924 Custer Co., Nebraska

bur. Christ Lutheran, Oconto, Nebraska

immigrated 1872

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CHILDREN:

1. Albert L Dittmar b. Nov 21, 1887 d. Oct 28, 1974

m. Aug 26, 1919 Lexington, NE

Anna J. F. Schroeder(b. Apr 7, 1893 d. June 15, 1961)

2. Charles C Dittmar** b. Feb 12, 1890 d. Aug 26, 1968

m. Lexington, NE

Ella Minna Neban. (b. May 9, 1897 d. Nov 22, 1931)

i. Bernard Dittmar b. Apr 22, 1925 d. Dec 12, 1995

m. Donna (b. Dec 2, 1929)

ii. Pauline Dittmar b. Abt 1927

iii. Ronald C. Dittmar b. Abt. 1929

3. Mary Luluh? Dittmar*** b. Jun 1893 (twin)

4. Herman William Dittmar b. Jun 24, 1893 (twin) d. May 1968 Lexington, Nebraska

5. Frederick Henry Dittmar b. Aug 31, 1905 d. Nov 22, 1981

m. Feb 14, 1930

Elsie Leota Studley (b. May 13, 1905 d. Dec 11, 1988)

(we all know where it goes from here)

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* Listed as Dora in the 1900 census

** Listed as Carlos in the 1900 census

*** Listed as Mary L in the 1900 census; listed as Luluh M in the 1910 census

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Other Notes:

1900 Census: All members of the family are noted as being able to read, write and speak English. It is also noted that the family owns their farm free and clear.

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1910 Census: Carolina Vogler (age 46) and her children Kaspar (age 27), John G (age 19) and Marth (age 15) are noted as part of the household. Cemetery records indicate that Carolina's husband Kasper Vogler Sr. passed away in Nov 1909. One can assume this was a temporary living arrangement for the widow and her children. All 5 Dittmar children are living at home at this time and the last name is listed with the spelling Dittmer.

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1920 Census: Charles, Herman, and Fred are listed as living at home. Barthol & Dorothy list their birthplace as Bavaria. This specification was probably a result of WWI. Also listed as part of the household is Mabel Fedderson (age 28)

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1930 Census: Fred is now listed as the head of household with his wife Elsie. Dorothy has passed away and Barthol is living with Fred and Elsie. Again the spelling is Dittmer.

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Albert & Anna, Chales & Ella, Bernard & Donna, and Fred & Elsie are all buried at Christ Lutheran Church south of Oconto.