John Dinger
JOHN DINGER, a retired farmer, of Oak Ridge, Armstrong county, was born in Red Bank township, this county, May 10, 1844. He is a representative type of those farmers whose steadfastness and energy have done much to make agriculture profitable and worthy.
Michael Dinger, his grandfather, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. He was one of the first settlers in Red Bank township, where he owned and operated a large tract of land which he cleared for a homestead. This was divided at his death among his children, and his grandson John now owns 106 acres of this tract. Michael Dinger married a Miss Ferringer, and their children were: David, John, Emanuel, Michael, Amos, Eli, William, Jonathan, and Barbara (who married Samuel Shick).
John Dinger, son of Michael, was a native of Schuylkill county, Pa., coming to Armstrong county with his parents. He took up farming and always followed that pursuit, living on a part of the old homestead of his father--a tract of fifty-three acres. Later in life he moved to Oak Ridge, and his death occurred there in 1901, at the home of his son John, when he was eighty-three years of age. He married Sarah Baughman, daughter of Lawrence Baughman, who was a carpenter of Clarion county, near Shannondale. He also followed farming to some extent. Mrs. Dinger died in1897, at the age of seventy-seven. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dinger, of whom six grew to maturity: Catherine, who married George Holobaugh; John; Sarah, who married Amos Hinderliter; William H.; Wilhelmina, who married John Reinard; and Lucretia, who married Lewis Scott.
John Dinger was brought up on the farm and received such education in the public schools as was usual for boys of his day. He remained on the home farm until he reached the age of eighteen. The farmhouse was built of logs, with a clapboard roof. During the severe winters snow was blown under the loose clapboards into the bedrooms, covering the floors and beds as much as two inches at a time. Shaking the cold crystals from stockings, shoes and trousers they hurried downstairs to the blazing fire of wood in the great fireplace. Until his twenty-sixth year John Dinger had never experienced a day of illness. On Aug. 25, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, and became a member of Company A. 78th P. V. I. He saw service at the battles of Stone River, Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Dutch Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, and various minor engagements, and he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., June 28, 1865. On his return home he took up farming which he followed up to 1892, that year moving to Oak Ridge, where he was employed by the Oak Ridge Mining Company for twelve years, after which he retired.
On Jan. 3, 1867, Mr. Dinger married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Molly (Holben) Hendricks, of Red Bank township, and they have nine children now living, as follows: Cora, wife of W. L. Patterson; William F., married to Lila Buffington; Idella, wife of Edward Mills; Bird D.; Melvin A.; John C., married to Gertrude Dunsmore; Ralph L., married to Gertrude Fetler; Joseph E., married to Mary McDonald; and Harry E., married to Lillian Swope. Mr. Dinger is an attendant and supporter of the M. E. church. He is a member of the G. A. R. post at New Bethlehem, and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Dinger has always shown a lively interest in the affairs of his locality and has held several local offices in Red Bank township, serving with great efficiency. He is well and favorably known by all who have had dealings with him.
Source: Pages 678-679, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 1998 by James R Hindman for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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