Franz Dinger
Franz Dinger, probate judge, was born in the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, June 30, 1832, and is a son of Tobias and Christina (Schwiebeinger) Dinger, both natives of Germany. The father immigrated to America taking passage from Havre, France, in 1840, and landed in New Orleans. Here one year later the father died of yellow fever. He was a blacksmith and locksmith, having learned the trade in his native country. In 1853 Franz Dinger, his mother and two sisters, immigrated to America, locating at Evansville, Ind., thence to Jefferson County, Mo., where they remained until coming to Iron County in 1854. Here the mother died on May 24, 1888. Only three of her children are now living: Franz, Agnes (wife of John Schafer), and Margaret (wife of Henry Rasche.) Franz Dinger attended the German schools eight years and private schools two years, but is mainly self-educated in the English language. He obtained his license as an attorney in Missouri in 1866, and continued to practice his profession until about 1870. In 1860 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has held that position ever since. April 27, 1859, he married Miss Amalia Weise, a native of Missouri, of German parents, and by whom he had nine children: Christian C., Herman O.F., Edward F., Jacob, Harry A., Annie M (wife of P.A. Calvert), Amelia (wife of Joseph Callows), Bertha and Ida. Mr. Dinger was elected mayor of the city of Ironton, and has held that position twenty-four years. He has served sixteen years as justice of the county court, having been elected first in 1864, and again in 1866, 1870, 1876 and in 1882 he was elected judge of the probate court, and re-elected in 1884, holding the office at the present time. He has always taken a great interest in school affairs, holding some important school offices, and was notary public twelve years. Before coming to this country Mr. Dinger occupied the important position of recorder of titles and drafts of plats in the government office in Germany. His ability to fill the official positions tendered him is apparent in the fact that in 1865 his county was in debt $35,000, and now it does not owe a cent, while the entire school fund of the county has been collected and disbursed without the loss of a dollar. During the late war his sympathies led him to embrace the cause of the Union and he was elected Captain of Company C, Sixty-eighth Enrolled Missouri Militia, subsequently Company E, Forty-seventh Missouri Infantry Volunteers. He was captured by the Confederates during Price's raid in September 1864, and held as a prisoner until the 3d of October when he was taken to St. Louis and was ordered to take charge of his command. He then went on to Tennessee and remained there some time, reaching Nashville two days after the battle. Mr. Dinger is one of the most respected and esteemed citizens of Iron County, and has made an honorable record as a public officer. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, I.O.O.F. and the G.A.R., and is at the present time commander of the last named order. His family are members of the Lutheran Church.