Deitz, Charles H.

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Birth

Charles H. Deitz was born January 21, 1867 to Miner Deitz and Sarah Posson Deitz in the Town of Knox.

Marriage & Children

Charles married Harriet “Hattie” Kniskern October 9, 1889, at the residence of her father and stepmother, John Calvin Kniskern and Aurelia Bateholts Kniskern. (Hattie’s mother Angelina Decker had died at 24 yo; b. March 1, 1845 – d. December 13, 1869.) Charles and Hattie were married 53 years and had two children.

• Ruth Kniskern Deitz (b. December 28, 1896; m. Judge Henry A. Brand 1937; m. Archibald Smith 1969; d. September 10, 1971)

• Helen Mary Deitz (b. October 1, 1904; m. Maynard W. Sullivan 1927; d. October 8, 1985)

Occupation and Life

Following Charles’ schooling, he opened a bakery on Madison Avenue in Albany. He and Hattie continued the business together until Charles’ ill health caused his doctor to order him to the country. They moved to Schoharie by 1893 and bought the Fair Street bakery and ran it for 7 years.

In 1900, Charles purchased the men’s clothing business run by M.D. Bice (originally established by Ezra Twitchell in 1893) in the L.J. Wright block. He moved his business to the Bellinger block several years later and subsequently purchased that block.

In 1907, Charles purchased the family home on Grand St (where his daughter Ruth Brand lived through 1969). That same year he was elected to the Schoharie school board of education to fill a vacancy, and on August 12, 1913, he was appointed as president of the Board, an office he held for 29 years.

Charles had a love for education, and both of his daughters graduated from Oneonta Normal School and were teachers, in Schoharie and Schenectady.

From 1911 to 1915, he served as postmaster of the village. He was elected a trustee of the Old Stone Fort Cemetery Association on March 1, 1913 and served 5 years; followed by a March 1, 1918 election as treasurer, an office he held until his death.

Charles retired from the clothing business on August 18, 1938, and the "Dietz block" was sold by Mrs. Maynard W. Sullivan in 1950. Charles and Hattie were very involved with the community and very often entertained family and friends at their Grand Street home in Schoharie. Harriet often hosted meetings of the Women’s Aid Society and the Qui Vive Club, and she was an active member of the Schoharie Valley Chapter of the D.A.R.

Death

Charles died on November 24, 1942 at his home on Grand St. Hattie died on September 2, 1944. They are both buried at Old Stone Fort Cemetery.

Obituary

Rites Conducted for Charles H. Dietz

Charles H. Dietz, president of the Schoharie Board of Education for the last 29 years and former Schoharie postmaster, was buried in Old Stone Fort cemetery after a funeral service Friday afternoon at the Galen White funeral home here. Mr. Dietz, 75, died Nov. 24 at his home after a short illness. Born at Gallupville, son of the late Miner and Sarah Posson Dietz, he was married in 1889 to Harriet Kniskern of Berne, who survives. Mr. and Mrs. Dietz came to Schoharie in 1893 and he owned and operated a bakery for seven years. In 1900, he purchased a men’s clothing business. He was postmaster from 1911 to 1915. He became a school trustee in 1907 and was elected president of the school board in 1913. He served for many years as trustee of the Old Stone Fort Cemetery association. Mr. and Mrs. Dietz observed their 53rd wedding anniversary last Oct. 9. Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Mrs. Henry A. Brand of Schenectady and Mrs. Maynard W. Sullivan of Middleburg; a brother, Courtney Dietz of Albany; two grandchildren and nephews and nieces. Rev. George R. Kyla officiated at the funeral at Schoharie Community Church.

Additional Media

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  Charles H. Deitz 1
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  Charles H. Deitz 2
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  Charles H Deitz Obit
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  Charles H. & Hattie K. Deitz stone
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  Charles H. Deitz and daughters Ruth & Helen, 1910

Sources

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