Jacob H. Deitzer
The Clerk of the Shelby Circuit Court
and one of the enterprising men of the city in which he resides is
Jacob H. Deitzer. He was born in Shelby county, Indiana,
January 31, 1855. As the name indicates, he is of German lineage,
and in his veins flows the blood of a long line of sterling ancestry
whose history is intimately associated with that of the Fatherland. His parents, Valentine and Elizabeth (Fox) Deitzer, natives of
the Grand Duchy of Baden-Baden, came to the United States early in
life and settled in Shelby County, Indiana, where their marriage took
place in April, 1854, following which they set up their domestic
establishment in Shelbyville. Valentine Deitzer conducted a meat
market for a number of years and earned the reputation of an
industrious, capable and thoroughly reliable business man. He was
also engaged for some years as a stationary engineer besides turning
his hands to various other occupations from time to time. He died in
Shelbyville in the month of October, 1867, at the age of forty-one;
his widow, who is still living, has reached the advanced age of
eighty-three years, and occupies the same home in which she began
housekeeping over a half century ago.
To Valentine and Elizabeth Deitzer
were born seven children, the subject of this sketch being the oldest
of the family; Minnie, who became the wife of John L.
Springer, died in the year 1892; John died in childhood; Peter is custodian of the Carnegie Public Library in
Shelbyville; Louis lives in the state of Louisiana, and two
children died in infancy.
Jacob H. Deitzer spent his early life
in Shelbyville, where he first saw the light of day and received the
rudiments of an education in the public schools. By reason of his
father’s death, which occurred when the lad was but twelve years
old, he was obliged to terminate his educational experience in order
to look after the interests of his mother and the younger children,
who then depended upon him for their support. On the 26th
day of July, 1868, Mr. Deitzer entered a printing office and after
becoming proficient in the trade, accepted a position in a newspaper
office, to which trade he devoted his attention for a period of
twenty-two years, working for different papers during that time and
becoming proficient in the work in its every detail. At the
expiration of that period indicated he started a job printing office
and built up a large and lucrative patronage and earned an honorable
reputation as a capable printer and enterprising business man.
Mr. Deitzer has always manifested a
commendable interest in the prosperity of his native city, and from
time to time has been honored with important official positions by
the municipality. In 1900 he was made a member of the Board of
Education, and it was during his incumbency that the Carnegie Library
building was erected and opened to the public, his efforts in making
this splendid enterprise possible being as influential as those of
any other man. While holding the above position he was nominated by
the local Democracy for Mayor, and after being elected to the latter
office, severed his connection with the board at the expiration of
two and a half years, in order to enter his duties as the city’s
chief executive. Mr. Deitzer’s official career met the high
expectations of his friends and fully justified the wisdom of his
election. He proved an able and conscientious executive. Among the
several public improvements inaugurated and carried into effect
during his term was the building of the fine hall in which the
business of the municipality is conducted, his interest in this and
other commendable enterprises doing much to promote the progress of
the city and make it what is has since become, one of the most
important industrial and commercial centers in the southeastern part
of the state. As stated in a preceding paragraph, Mr. Deitzer is a
Democrat, and as such he has been a leader of his party in Shelby
county for a number of years, and as a reward for valuable political
services he was nominated in 1906 for the important office for Clerk
of Shelby County Circuit Court, and triumphantly elected the same
year. Since taking charge of this office he has added to his
reputation as a capable, judicious and courteous public servant, and
it is universally admitted that the position has never been more ably
or worthily filled. First position held was Deputy Internal Revenue
Collector for Shelby county under Cleveland’s administration from
1884 to 1888.
Mr. Deitzer was one of the original
stockholders in the Citizen’s Natural Gas Company, of Shelbyville,
and is now serving as president of the organization; he is a
stockholder and leading spirit in the Shelbyville Sprinkling
Association, besides being interested in various local enterprises,
which make for the advancement of the city and welfare of the
populace. He has been twice married, the first time in November,
1874, to Ada Bruce, daughter of Dr. L. M. Bruce, who
departed this life in August, 1885, after bearing him two children,
both of whom died in infancy. On the first day of January, 1887, he
was united in the bonds of wedlock with Lena Metzger, daughter
of Silas and Mary Metzger, of Shelbyville, the union being
blessed with two sons, Fred J., born July 1, 1893, and J.
Frank, whose birth occurred on October 16, 1895. Mr. and Mrs.
Deitzer are active members of the First Presbyterian church of
Selbyville.
Mr. Deitzer is an enthusiastic friend
of secret fraternal work and belongs to quite a number of orders,
being a member of the Masonic brotherhood, in which he has risen to
the thirty-second degree and Mystic Shrine. The following includes
the various lodges and orders with which he is identified at the
present time; Shelby Lodge, No. 28, Free and Accepted Masons; Shelby
Chapter, No. 20, Royal Arch Masons; Shelby Council, No. 3, Royal and
Select Masters; Baldwin Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar; Naarmah
Chapter, Order Eastern Star; Shelby Lodge, No. 39, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows; Shelbyville Encampment, No. 162, Independent Order
Odd Fellows; Canton Lodge, No. 4 P.M.; Chillon Lodge, No. 129,
Knights of Pythias; Kiowa Tribe, No. 199, Improved Order of Red Men;
Chieftains League, No. 3, Improved Order of Red Men; Frank Talbert
Camp, No. 85, Sons of Veterans; Orentes Court, No. 77, Tribe of Ben
Hur; Shelbyville Lodge, No. 457, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, and Shelbyville Camp, No 3372, Modern Woodmen of America. He
has not only been intrusted with important official positions in
nearly all of the above organizations, but by reason of his
connection therewith, has attained to high standing and influence in
their councils and become widely known in fraternal circles
throughout the state. In all of his relations with his fellow men he
endeavors to put into practice the principles upon which they are
based, and his life afterwards a striking example of the value of
their teachings and influence.
History of Shelby County, Indiana,
Chadwick, 1909, pages 406-408
Contributed by Barb Huff for William Deitzer
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