Walter C. Dittmer

Walter C. Dittmer, a native Iowan, was born.in Elkader, Iowa, Feb. 14, 1890. His father was a well known citizen and an earnest and worthy endeavor to give to the world the best that was in him marked the course of his life. He was born on the 19th of January, 1858, in Hamburg, Germany, the son of Peter and Magdalena Dittmer. When a boy of three years he came with his parents to America and settled in Clayton county. After the family had lived several years near Communia, they purchased a farm in Cox Creek township, which is now owned by Herman Dittmer, with whom the aged mother makes her home. When a young man Martin Dittmer came to Elkader and engaged in the lumber business with his brother-in-law, Jacob Stemmer. About 1896 they disposed of this business and started in the implement business under the title of Stemmer & Dittmer. Later Mr. Dittmer bought his partner's interest and took into partnership Mr. Stallmen, under the firm name of Dittmer & Stallman. In 1911 Walter Dittmer was taken into the firm and an automobile agency was added to the business, dealing in the Studebaker and Velie machines, and meeting with a splendid measure of success. On September 14th, 1881, Martin Dittmer was united in matrimony with Katherine Dohrer of Clayton county, and they were the parents of three children: Walter, 26 years of age; Florence, who died when 5 years of age, and Roy, 16 years. Martin Dittmer took an active interest in the affairs of the community, and for seven years, from 1904 to 1911, was sheriff of Clayton county, in which capacity he served the people faithfully and conscientiously. He was a member of the school board at the time of his death, which occurred November 14, 1914. The funeral services were conducted by Elkader Lodge, No. 72, A. F. and A. M., of which he was an esteemed member. The Register & Argus, under date of November 19, 1914, said, "The great man of Elkader has fallen; the good man "has been called from out of our midst. A shadow of gloom is cast not only on home and family but over our entire community. Not that death is unfamiliar to our minds, for every day death is exerting his solemn power upon the race of man, but there are instances where it is impressed more vividly on our minds and where it calls forth a pro founder sentiment of sorrow. This is true today when we stand with bowed heads and throbbing hearts beside the last earthly remains of a beloved husband, father, brother, son, relative, friend and citizen, Martin Dittmer."

Martin Dittmer - click on photo to enlarge

Walter Dittmer received his education in the grade and high schools of his native town, and in a commercial college of Decorah, Iowa, completing his course in that institution in 1911, when he returned to Elkader to join his father in the implement business, as noted above. He is independent in politics and a member of the Masonic order.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical Times Down to the Present; by Realto E. Price, Vol. II; page 91-92
-submitted by S. Ferrall