Johan Peter Dinger Family:

Johan Peter Dinger, a German immigrant, sailed on the ship Neptune from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He arrived in Philadelphia on September 30, 1754 where he took the Oath of Allegiance. It is thought Peter was in his early twenties.

The next evidence we have of Peter is on the tax list of Tulephecke Township, Berks County, as a laborer; and the 1784 list shows no land holding. In 1784 a land warrant for fifty acres in Berks (now Schuylkill) is listed. Peter served in the Revolutionary War as a private in Captain L. Leathers Company of the Berks County Militia.

Johan Peter married Mary Magadelena and all their children were born in Berks County. Their son, Fredrick, was born in 1776 and died in 1854. His wife, Barbara Burkett, was born in 1774 and died in 1848. They are buried in the Friends Cemetery in Hegins. Their children were Johan Peter, Johan George, Michael Sr. (my great grandfather), John, Elizabeth, and David.

Sometime between the 1830 census and May, 1832 Michael Sr. left Schuylkill County and settled in Armstrong County. Michael Sr. was born June 15, 1797 and died February 5, 1877. He married Catherine Ferringer and their children were: David, John, Michael Jr., Eli, Amos, Elizabeth and William (my grandfather).

William was born in Armstrong County (Clarion County was not formed until 1840) and died July 7, 1895. He married Mariah Kunselman, who was born June 2, 1836 and died December 21, 1908. Their children were: Sarah Catherine, Martin, James, Samuel, George Butler, Harvey, David, and Joseph Wilson (my father).

Joseph Wilson Dinger was born February 1, 1877 and died January 14, 1965. On May 3, 1899 he married Rachel Elizabeth Wolfe, daughter of Jacob and Christina Yoder Wolfe. She was born May 1, 1882 and died August 12, 1966. Their children were Darrel Wilson, Annabelle, Frieda Lorena, Josie Marie (myself), and Charles Ivan.

My father was raised in what is now Ramsaytown, Knox Township, Jefferson County. He attended Beach Hollow School. He often told that when he started school, he could not speak a word of English and his teacher spoke no German, but he still learned. His homestead is still standing.

- Submitted by Marie (Dinger) Moore

Transcribed by Steven A. Stahlman from “Jefferson County Pa History 1982”, published by the Jefferson County Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. page 144.