| Home Surname List Name Index Sources Email Us | Third Generation3. George Edward DINGER Sr. was born on 1 May 1828 in Baden-Wurttemberg Province, Preussen (Prussia).2,3,4 He emigrated about 1852 from Baden-Wurttemberg Province, Preussen (Prussia).2 Biographical Article: "George Dinger, one of the reliable farmers of Leon Township, has been a resident of Monroe county since 1856.... He is a native of Germany, born May 1, 1828, a son of George J. and Mary (Hersie) Dinger, also natives of the Fatherland. The parents came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1858, and purchased a farm near Rockland; there the father died in 1870, but the mother survived until 1891. George Dinger was reared in his own country, and according to the law attended shcool until he was fourteen years of age; he was also instructed in the faith of the Lutheran Church, in which he was confirmed at the age of fifteen years. When he had attained the age of twenty-four years he determined to seek his fortune in the New World, and set sail for New York, where he landed after a sail of fifty-three days. He continued his journey to Utica, New York, where he remained six months, and thence he went to Oneida county, New York, where he spent two years. At the end of this period he pushed on to the frontier, and located in Livingston county, Illinois, whence he came to Wisconsin; he was first at Madison, and then for a time was employed in a mill on the Kickapoo river; later he was at Rock Island, and then went to La Crosse, and afterward to Leon valley; here he took up Government land, and made a home which he occupied seven years. In 1863 he sold this place and removed to the place he now owns; he has a good farm of 300 acres, well improved with modern buildings, and many of the conveniences suggested by the civilization of the century. Mr. Dinger was married in 1858 to Rachel Willson, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Leonard Willson, and of this union twelve children were born...; three of the children are married, and eight are under the parental roof. In politics, Mr. Dinger adheres to the principles of the Republican party. He is a staunch supporter of all home enterprise, and favors the education of the masses. He is a man of much energy, and is greatly respected for his many sterling traits of character." . He appeared in the census in 1870 in Leon Township, Monroe County, WI.4 His occupation was "Farmer." George appeared in the census in 1880 in Leon Township, Monroe County, WI.3 His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1900 in Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.6,8 His occupation was "Farmer." (He may have died in 1907 and been buried in the Leon Cemetery.) George Edward DINGER Sr. and Rachel R. WILSON were married in 1858.2,5,7,8 According to the 1900 Census, they had 17 children of whom 12 were living at the time. His biographical sketch indicates that they lived in Leon Township after their marriage, but they were not listed there in the 1860 Census. It is not known where they lived, as they cannot be located anywhere in Wisconsin or in Pennsylvania, her birth place. Rachel R. WILSON, daughter of Leonard WILSON and (Unknown) UNKNOWN (WILSON), was born on 13 May 1840 in Pennsylvania.2,7,8 She appeared in the census in 1870 in Leon Township, Monroe County, WI.4 She appeared in the census in 1880 in Leon Township, Monroe County, WI.3 Rachel appeared in the census in 1900 in Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.8 She died on 21 January 1907 at the age of 66 in Monroe County, WI.10 She was buried in 1907 in Leon Township, Monroe County, WI.6 in the Leon Cemetery. George Edward DINGER Sr. and Rachel R. WILSON had the following children:
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