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Submitted: 1/13/14 • Approved: 7/28/16 • Last Updated: 3/11/18 • R24091-G24091-S3
Peter
July 20. 1853 - July 25, 1924
The 14th child born to Heinrich J and Susanna Dirks & was born in the village of Karolswalde, Russia. He was married Susanna Schmidt May 4, 1874 & sailed with family members & arrived in New York on November 18, 1874 on the SS City of London. They left for Pawnee Rock, Kansas and arrived on a cold winter day. With no housing available they were housed in a box car, and this is where their first son Jacob P Dirks was born February 13, 1875 & was the first child born to the Mennonite families that came to this area. Peter H Dirks followed in his fathers foot steps and took over as minister of the Bergathal Mennonite Church in Pawnee Rock, Kansas in the 1890's.
Susanna
October 24, 1844 - April 26, 1933
Daughter of Peter Schmidt and his second wife, Anna Jantz. She was born in Karlswalde, Volhynia, Russia. Her first husband was Julius Deckert whom she married in 1863 in Russia. Julius and Susanna had 5 children before Julius died in 1873.
In 1874, in Karlswalde, Susanna married Peter H Dirks. Shortly thereafter, they and Susanna's Deckert children immigrated to the US aboard the SS City of London arriving in New York on 18 November 1874. They settled in Barton County, Kansas and Susanna and Peter had six more children.
Photo, Photograph and information Courtesy of Rita
Contributed on 1/13/14
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Record #: 24091