History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Didier, John H. manager of the plant of the Rhinelander Iron Company, now the oldest manufacturing concern in Rhinelander, and which was established in 1889 by members of the DIDIER family, was born at Eagle Harbor, Mich., April 1, 1857, son of Michael and Mary (FUNK) DIDIER. The parents, who were natives of Luxemberg, came to America in 1850 and located at Eagle Harbor, Mich., immediately after their arrival, Michael DIDIER becoming foreman and superintendent in the mines. Later the family removed to Muskegon and in 1865 he went into sawmill work, being thus occupied until 1889. He then came with his family to Rhinelander from that time until his death on Jan. 2, 1902, he was in the employ of the Rhinelander Iron Company. He and his wife were the parents of five children: Nicholas, John H., Peter, Frank and Mary, the last mentioned of whom died in infancy. John H. and Peter are residents of Rhinelander, and Frank of Bayview, Milwaukee County, Wis. John H. DIDIER acquired his education in Muskegon, Mich., after which he entered the machine shops of the Davies Iron Co. there and learned the trade of machinist. He came to Rhinelander in June, 1889, becoming a member of the Rhinelander Iron Co., with his brothers Nicholas and Peter, and others, the concern having been incorporated in the previous month. He was elected treasurer at the time, and since the death of his brother Nicholas, Feb. 8, 1896, has been the active manager. A historical sketch of the concern may be found in another part of this volume. In 1891 John H. DIDIER was elected chief of the Rhinelander Fire Department, and served as such for 11 years. He also rendered service for several years on the school board, and for a long period has been not only one of the leading business men of the city, but prominent in church and social advancement work. He is a Catholic in religion and belongs to several orders, including the Foresters, Knights of Columbus and Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. Mr. DIDIER was married, Jan. 24, 1889, at Muskegon, Mich., to Mary YOUNG of that city. They occupy a fine residence at No. 305 Messer St.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 288-289 (with picture), History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.

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