Biographical Sketch of

Fritz Dittbender

Transcribed by Jaimee Hedlund

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 320 - 321

Fritz Dittbender, a prominent stock raiser of Quincy Township, Adams County, residing on section nineteen who, with 
his sons, owns about seven hundred acres of land, is one of the early settlers of that region. He was born in Berlin, 
Germany, May 27, 1831, and was son of John and Louisa (Falk) Dittbender, of Berlin. His father was a farmer by occupation.
Of four children our subject was the youngest, and attended school until fourteen years of age, after which until twenty-
seven years of age, he worked on a farm, and then served in the German Army for three years. He came to America in 1858, 
locating in Milwuakee,Wisconsin, and in 1860 purchased one hundred acres of land in Quincy Township, Adams County. He 
made section 19 his home, and has erected a comfortable dwelling and barns. He and his sons make a specialty of stock 
raising, and for a number of years have marketed large numbers annually, and at present have about seventy acres of land 
to rye, corn and potatoes and have met with success, both in grain and stock raising.

Mr. Dittbender was married July 1858, to Johanna Dittman, daughter of Nicholas and Anna Dittman, of Quincy. Mrs. 
Dittbender died in 1862, leaving two children as follows:  August, now farming in Quincy Township; and Mary, now Mrs. 
Roskouskie, of Chicago. Mr. Dittbender married Lena Stevens, daughter of Louie and Fanny Stevens of Jackson Township, 
Adams County, January 24, 1863. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dittbender, as follows: Louie, born October 
27, 1864;  Fanny, born October 15, 1866, and now Mrs. C. Ganther, of Neceedah;  Minnie, born May 5, 1868, now Mrs. J. 
Lobenstein, of Germantown;  Fred, born August 11, 1871, farming in Quincy Township;  Charles, born June 11, 1880, now 
residing at home;  William, born August 3, 1882; and Henry, born October 5, 1884.

Louie Dittbender was afforded good educational advantages, and at the age of seventeen went into the pineries of Wood, 
and other counties, and worked for fourteen winters. He was on the drive on the Yellow river, and the Tomahawk river. 
At the age of thirty-one years he went to farming on his land in sections 18 and 19, in Quincy Township, Adams County, 
and has a well improved tract comprising three hundred and sixty acres. He also assists his father with the work on the 
farm, and the father and son are counted as among the foremost men of their calling.

Fritz Dittbender is a member of the Lutheran Church of Quincy, and is a gentleman of the highest character. He does not 
advocate the principles of any one party, but lends his influence for the best government, and does not take an active 
interest in political affairs. He has witnessed the development of Adams County, and has been a potent factor in its 
advancement. He is thorough and practical in his business, and has gained a competence through honest efforts. The 
community where he has made his home for so many years are well acquainted with his characteristics, and he occupies a 
high place in the minds of his associates.


Transcribed by Jaimee Hedlund





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