Feature Article on I.H. Thedieck. Topic:
PEOPLE & INDUSTRY
Written by Rich Wallace in
September, 1997
| I.H. THEDIECK — A MAN OF VISION |
 |
| After the recent
announcement about the dismantling of Monarch Machine Tool
Company, the history of this important enterprise was chronicled in the pages of this
paper. The creative vision and sacrifice of one man was instrumental in forging the entity
that Wendell Whipp
and others would make famous. This is his story. 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? Ignatius H. Thedieck was born in Alfhousen, Germany in 1855. His hardworking parents were involved in the mercantile trade. Thedieck moved to America with his family when he was just 16. He attended public school in Dayton, where he mastered English and the principles of business. After working as a store clerk in Cincinnati for three years, he moved to Sidney when he was 20 years old. 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. The firm 'Thedieck Bros.' was born. At the same time, I. H. made a decision that was to have many far reaching and beneficial consequences. On October 16, 1878, he married Ida Wagner. Ida was one of the daughters of Mathias Wagner, one of the wealthiest and most influential men in town. [ Back ] [ Next ] [ Up ] [ New Search ] |