Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Capt. John A. Dienst

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Submitted by:
        Date: 20 Jun 1998
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SOURCE:  Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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Capt. John A. Dienst is a well-to-do farmer, residing near Siloam Springs, Ark. His birth
occurred in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, November 24, 1824, and he was there educated and reared to
manhood. He is one of six children born to John P. and Mary E. (Keller) Dienst, who were born in
Westphalia, Germany, April 27, 1786, and September 26, 1790, respectively. The father was
educated in the schools of the "Fatherland," and was reared to manhood on a farm. He was married
in 1817, and immigrated to America in 1819, settling near York, Penn. He resided there six
months, and then located in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he died in 1846. His wife died in
1850. The following are their children: Mary E. (wife of John Heter), Anna (deceased). Sarah
(deceased), John A., Benjamin and Lydia (deceased). John A. was married in 1847 to Anna E.
Oehler, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, February 19, 1828, and came to America with her
parents when she was three years old, settling in Ohio. She and Mr. Dienst became the parents of
seven children: Rufus and Louis C. (deceased), Henry, and Eugene, Ira, Laura and Oliver
(deceased). In 1853 Mr. Dienst moved to the present site of Leavenworth City. Kas., but in 1854
moved to Benton County, Ark., and in 1862 enlisted in the Federal army, Company F. First Arkansas
Cavalry, under the command of Col. Harrison, and participated in the engagements at Fayetteville,
Enterprise, Mo., East Mount, Ark., and others. In August, 1865, he returned home. He located his
family in Washington County after the war, and there he continued to reside until 1881, when he
located at Siloam Springs, and in September, 1887, moved to his farm near town. He supports the
principles of the Republican party, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He and wife are
members of the Moravian Church.