Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 506-508.

JOHN R. DITZLER.

The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what it is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate success. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a much greater degree of success than falls to the lot of the average individual. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respectable position in the world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his county and earning a reputation as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate.

John R. Ditzler, the present superintendent of the Wells County infirmary, was born in Galion, Crawford county, Ohio, October 9, 1853, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Saurbaugh) Ditzler. The Ditzler family is from Reading, Pennsylvania, and there George Ditzler was reared. Upon attaining maturity he learned the trade of a carpenter and also carried on farming. He was married in his native state and afterward moved to Crawford county, Ohio. He had run a grist-mill in Pennsylvania, but upon his removal to Ohio he sold the mill and at Galion he was engaged in farming and also worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1863 he emigrated to Rock Creek township, Wells County, Indiana, bought a farm and made that his home during the remainder of his life, dying May 6, 1892. He was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land and on this he made most of the improvements and achieved an enviable reputation as a progressive and successful agriculturist. He was the father of the following children: George married Lillie Teeple and now resides near Markle, Indiana; Frank married Lula Sechler, daughter of Benjamin Sechler; Susana is a resident of this county, and the wife of Henry Biggans; Mary, now Mrs. Samuel Schoch; Sarah is the wife of Jacob Alshouse; Belinda is the wife of Lemuel Lyons; Elizabeth is the wife of John Haiflich, and Alice is the wife of John Taylor.

John R. Ditzler was reared upon the home farm and was early inured to the toil and incessant labor incident to the life of the average farmer. He was given the advantage of such educational facilities as were afforded in the common schools of the neighborhood. Upon attaining his maturity he was married and at once commenced to farm for himself, which occupation he followed until his appointment as superintendent of the New Lancaster and Markle gravel road, a position which he very satisfactorily filled for twelve years. At that time the state law was changed so that the county was divided into three districts and in the spring of 1895 he was appointed to the oversight of one district, filling this position for about eighteen months. His performance of the duties of these positions was eminently satisfactory and reflected great credit upon him. So strongly did he intrench himself in the confidence of the people that, in 1898, he was appointed by the county commissioners to the responsible position of superintendent of the Wells County infirmary, being chosen over thirty-five other applicants for the position. So wise and discriminating has been his management of the institution that he has been successively reappointed to succeed himself and is still occupying the position. He is good natured, kind hearted and sympathetic and accomplished much towards the alleviation of the condition of the inmates of the institution over which he presides, and by his sound judgment, wise discrimination and careful economy has kept the expense account down to the minimum, at the same time taking proper care that the inmates are properly provided for in all their requirements.

John R. Ditzler was united in marriage September 14, 1873, with Miss Malinda Brickley, daughter of Alfred Brickley, ex-trustee of Rock Creek township. This union has been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Etta is the wife of John A. Miller; John C. married Miss Mary Hawkins and resides in Rock Creek township, this county; Nora and Pearl are unmarried and still have their home under the paternal roof. Besides these children Mr. and Mrs. Ditzler are rearing an orphan child, Inez Guardhnour [i.e. Gardenour], and are giving to her the same loving care and attention they gave to their own children.

Politically Mr. Ditzler has always affiliated with the Democratic party and has been an active and influential worker in the interest of the party. Religiously he and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran church, of which he has served as elder. Mr. Ditzler's character is endowed with many noble qualities that contribute so much to his eminent usefulness and the esteem in which he is held by the citizens of Wells County. His kindliness of heart, his unvaried cheerful disposition, his wisdom as a counsellor and advisor among his neighbors and friends and his modest, unassuming manner in every relation of life are among the most distinguished characteristics which have attracted to him the many warm friends whom he prizes so highly and whose warm personal regard he will always retain.