Feature Article on I.H. Thedieck.
Topic: PEOPLE & INDUSTRY
Written by Rich Wallace in March,
1996
| A MERCHANT WHO HELPED SHAPE SIDNEY'S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT | |
The date was January 22, 1926. The Sidney Daily News carried the somber news. "Sidney Plunged Into Deep Mourning Over The Death of I.H. Thedieck." The lead article declared that "Probably no man had a larger personal acquaintanceship among the citizens of this community.... or has ever been held in such high esteem." Who was this man and what role did he play in Sidney's history? This is his story. Born in Germany to merchant parents in 1855, Thedieck moved to America with his family when he was just 16. After attending public school in Dayton, he moved to Sidney when he was 20 years old. Taking after his father, Thedieck started in the dry goods business in 1875. His first partner was Philip Raterman. After Raterman retired just three years later, I.H. Thedieck entered into partnership with his brother, Joseph. Thedieck Bros. was born. At the same time, I.H. made one of his best decisions. On October 16, 1878, he married Ida Wagner, daughter of Mathias Wagner, the most influential man in town. Thedieck Bros. was destined to last only four years. In 1882, with the help of his father in law, Thedieck struck out on his own. Wagner purchased the lot to the north of the court house on Poplar Street to build the most modern shopping facility in town. Young Thedieck rented half the space, with W.H. Wagner, one of Matthias' sons, occupying the other half. By employing hard work and novel marketing efforts, Thedieck built a thriving business. |
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