April 28, 2022

Dittrich Minnesota Homestead

In 1857, August Dittrich, his wife Anna and their three children left Schlesien [Silesia or Śląsk]. First they traveled to the port city of Bremen. Then they boarded the Republik and sailed to America. Arriving at Kesselgarten [Castle Garden] New York on April 21, 1857, they reported their destination as “Milwauky.” August listed his occupation as Meason [sic].¹

If the family was in the city of Milwaukee, they did not stay long.

Wisconsin

The Dittrich family is enumerated in the federal census of Williamstown Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin on June 4, 1860. August is listed as a Master Mason; the three children reside with their parents.² In the grand scope of American geography, Williamstown is quite near Milwaukee – only about 60 miles to the northwest.

Documents of the Dittrich family in Dodge County, Wisconsin are scarce. Daughter Johanna “Christina” Dittrich married Carl Hauser in Mayville, Dodge County, Wisconsin on June 6, 1861.³ Subsequently, her first two children were born there.⁴ So far, the census is the only record I have of August in Dodge County.

Minnesota

Back in 1857, when Minnesota was still a territory, Elisha M. Hagans (of Preston County, Virginia) purchased over 700 acres in Winona County. Four years later, he instructed his attorney to begin selling the land for at least $3.50 an acre.⁵

On January 2, 1862 Julius Mielicke purchased 160 of those acres for $4 an acre. ⁶ Why is Julius important to our story? Because, he also came from Williamstown Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin.

Six months later, following his neighbor’s lead, August Dittrich purchased 80 acres from Elisha Hagans for $275 ($3.4375/acre).⁷ Once again, August and Julius were neighbors. In Mount Vernon Township, Winona County, Minnesota their houses were only about two miles apart.

Enlarging the Farm

To double to size of his farm, August Dittrich applied for 80 acres under the provisions of the 1862 Homestead Act. The Act granted surveyed public land to adult heads of families for a minimal filing fee. Each applicant needed to be a citizen or promise to become one. After five years of continuous residence on the land, the claim could be “proved.” The land August Dittrich requested adjoined his purchased acreage in rural Winona County.

August Dittrich Original Homestead Application
December 4, 1863
Land Entry Case File #1497
Viewed by the author at the National Archives, April 2022

“I am a married man, the head of a family
and do declare my intention to become
a Citizen of the United States.”

The federal land office approved August Dittrich’s homestead claim on June 1, 1871. Wait! That’s more than five years of “proving up.” Yes, the Homestead Act included a two-year grace period.

In the original Land Entry Case File, a letter explains why August needed more time. Apparently, he appeared at the Winona District Court in September of 1870 expecting to be granted his citizenship (this was within the 5+2 year time frame). However, August’s only certified copy of his “Intention” to become a citizen was given to the Land Office clerk in 1863 and never returned. On April 7, 1871, August Dittrich became a U.S. citizen.

Winona MN Republican, April 8 , 1871, page 3, column 1

Homestead

After paying one dollar on June 1, 1871, August Dittrich received a receipt. The Government Land Office image/office copy of his Homestead Patent is dated April 15, 1875. That’s nearly four years after this Final Receiver’s Receipt!

and More

Even before the “homestead” was approved, August Dittrich purchased another 120 acres on the east side of (what would become) his property.⁸ With the three parcels, he owned 280 acres in Mount Vernon Township, Winona County, Minnesota.

This 1867 map⁹ shows the property owners in Mount Vernon Township. I added color overlays to help distinguish August Dittrich’s three parcels.

The Mississippi River cuts across the northeast corner of the township. Yes, August’s name is misspelled, as it often is. Also note Julius Meliche/Meilicke in Section 33.

… and other valuable considerations

When the Homestead Patent was finally signed and delivered, August was 59 years old. At the age of 62, he sold the farm to his son Wilhelm/William for “$3000 and other valuable considerations.”¹⁰ I wonder what William promised to his father.

Additional Areas of Research

Why did August Dittrich, a master mason, immigrate to eastern Wisconsin?
Does evidence of his masonry exist today?
What does the farm look like now?
Do you have photos of the farm near Oak Ridge?
When was his youngest child, Tillie (who married J.C. Gentzkow) born?

SOURCES

1
Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls. NAI: 6256867. Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36. National Archives at Washington, D.C.
2
Year: 1860; Census Place: Williamstown, Dodge, Wisconsin; Roll: M653_1406; Page: 1046; Family History Library Film: 805406 for August Diedrich, pg 10, Post Office Mayville, line 39.
3
Dodge County WI Marriage Book 2, page 208.
4
Montana Death Certificate #84 133, June 12, 1914, Albert Carl Hauser. Birth 6 Dec 1864 in Mayvill [sic] Wisconsin. Albert was the second child born to Johanna Christina Dittrich and Carl Hauser.
5
Winona County MN Deed Book Q, page 298. Power of Attorney dated November 30, 1861.
6
Winona County MN Deed Book P, page 148. “Julius Mielicke of said Winona County.”
7
Winona County MN Deed Book P, page 565. August Diederick, grantee.
8
Winona County MN Deed Book 38, page 136. March 27, 1871. August Dittrick purchases 120 acres from Ebenezer Hathom for $200.
9
Winona County, Minnesota 1867, published by Bennett & Smith, 1867.
10
Winona County MN Deed Book 53, page 358. February 20, 1878 Wilhelm Dittrich buys from August Dittrich.

Author: Karrie Blees

Filed Under: Dittrich, Gentzkow