My Genealogy Hound

DIETRICH RICKENBERG, one of the successful agriculturists of Randolph County, resides on section 5, township 7, range 5, and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres included in the home farm, in addition to one hundred and seventy-six acres elsewhere in this county. He was born in Hanover, Germany, March 7, 1829, and is the son of Frederick and Mary (Gergens) Rickenberg, natives of Hanover. In the parental family there were eight children, three of whom are living, Mary, Lewis and Dietrich, all of whom live in Randolph County.

In 1842 our subject and Henry Rickenberg emigrated to the United States, landing in New Orleans in December. In 1846 Mary came to this country, and later Lewis and another sister crossed the ocean to join the members of the family here. In 1866 the eldest brother and the father followed them hither, and the latter died in this county, near Ellis Grove, in 1868. The mother had passed away in the Old Country in 1846. The parents were sincere, honorable Christian people, and were devoted members of the Lutheran Church.

After working for an uncle for about two years, our subject went to New Orleans, in 1844, and from there proceeded to Florida, where he was employed on the Jordan River for about fourteen months. Returning to New Orleans he remained in that city until 1849, and then returned to Randolph County, where he has since made his home. In 1850 he married Miss Margaret Heitmann, who was born in Hanover in 1833, and accompanied her parents to this country when ten years old, settling in Randolph County, where she grew to womanhood. She was the daughter of Herman and Margaret Heitmann, and by her marriage became the mother of seven children, three yet living, William, Fritz and Helena, the latter being the wife of William Ebers, of Randolph County. Mrs. Margaret Rickenberg died July 18, 1870.

The second marriage of Mr. Rickenberg united him with Miss Doris Hormann, who was born in Hanover January 25, 1850, and accompanied her parents to the United States in 1873. Her eldest brother resides in Germany, but the rest of the family reside in the United States. Nine children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rickenberg, of whom eight are living, namely: Henry, Emma, Harmon, Bertha, Frieda, Clara, Herbert and Alfred. Adolf is deceased. The children are being given excellent educational advantages and are being trained for positions of usefulness and honor.

Beginning with limited capital in the United States, Mr. Rickenberg has prospered beyond his greatest expectations and is now one of the well-to-do farmers of Randolph County. He and his family are identified with the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Wine Hill and are highly regarded in the social circles of the community. The home farm is without doubt one of the finest for miles around and invariably attracts the attention of the passer-by, proving by its appearance of thrift the progressive spirit and prosperity of the owner. In political matters Mr. Rickenberg affiliates with the Democratic party.