Diedrich was born in Hanover, Germany, was raised on a farm there, and later married Margaret Boorman, also of Hanover. They eventually had seven children, three of whom were born in Germany (Cosmos-known as Fred, Diedrich, and Henry). The family of five traveled to America in 1853, settling on a farm in Cook County, in the state of Illinois, where two more children were born (Dorothea and Fredericka). In 1858, the family moved to Cottonwood Township, Brown County, in Minnesota. Another child (William) was born here. In 1860, they moved again to a claim in section 14, Beaver Falls Township, in Renville County, where the last of their seven children (John) was born.
In the summer of 1862, when Diedrich had finished his own harvest, he was hired to harvest hay at the Lower Sioux Agency. On his way to work on August 18, 1862, the first day of the Sioux uprising, he heard shooting across the river, and knew the Indians were attacking the agency. He returned home, running across the prairie and up the bluff, to warn his family and neighbors. Families at once gathered their possessions and animals, and made other preparations to leave the area. The Wichmann family, along with the Ahrens and Schmidt families, left their homesteads, traveling in an easterly direction at night, while hiding in the woods during the day. After stopping at Ft. Ridgely to pick up son Fred, who was employed there, the Wichmanns continued their journey until reaching their old home in Illinois, where they remained for the next couple of years.
In the fall of 1864, when it was considered safe enough to return, the family moved to the New Ulm area of Minnesota, and, in the spring of 1865, they moved back to their old claim in the northeast quarter of section 14, Beaver Falls Township. The original farmhouse was no longer standing, so a stable was used as a home until one could be built. Soon after their return to the area, Diedrich and his family heard rumors of another Indian uprising near Hutchinson. The Indian scare caused the Wichmanns and others to leave their homesteads once again. When they arrived at Ft. Ridgely, the post commander urged them to go back home, and offered them weapons and ammunition for protection. Diedrich, his three oldest sons, and his neighbor, Henry Ahrens, returned to their claims. The other family members stayed away, but returned months later when the danger had passed, and there were no further incidents at Beaver Creek.
In his history of Renville County, Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge described Diedrich Wichmann as "one of the most honored of the early pioneers, one of the heroes of the days of the Indian uprising, and for many years an estimable citizen." Diedrich died in 1891 at age 69. His death was attributed to heart failure.
In the summer of 1862, when Diedrich had finished his own harvest, he was hired to harvest hay at the Lower Sioux Agency. On his way to work on August 18, 1862, the first day of the Sioux uprising, he heard shooting across the river, and knew the Indians were attacking the agency. He returned home, running across the prairie and up the bluff, to warn his family and neighbors. Families at once gathered their possessions and animals, and made other preparations to leave the area. The Wichmann family, along with the Ahrens and Schmidt families, left their homesteads, traveling in an easterly direction at night, while hiding in the woods during the day. After stopping at Ft. Ridgely to pick up son Fred, who was employed there, the Wichmanns continued their journey until reaching their old home in Illinois, where they remained for the next couple of years.
In the fall of 1864, when it was considered safe enough to return, the family moved to the New Ulm area of Minnesota, and, in the spring of 1865, they moved back to their old claim in the northeast quarter of section 14, Beaver Falls Township. The original farmhouse was no longer standing, so a stable was used as a home until one could be built. Soon after their return to the area, Diedrich and his family heard rumors of another Indian uprising near Hutchinson. The Indian scare caused the Wichmanns and others to leave their homesteads once again. When they arrived at Ft. Ridgely, the post commander urged them to go back home, and offered them weapons and ammunition for protection. Diedrich, his three oldest sons, and his neighbor, Henry Ahrens, returned to their claims. The other family members stayed away, but returned months later when the danger had passed, and there were no further incidents at Beaver Creek.
In his history of Renville County, Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge described Diedrich Wichmann as "one of the most honored of the early pioneers, one of the heroes of the days of the Indian uprising, and for many years an estimable citizen." Diedrich died in 1891 at age 69. His death was attributed to heart failure.
Diedrich was born in Hanover, Germany, was raised on a farm there, and later married Margaret Boorman, also of Hanover. They eventually had seven children, three of whom were born in Germany (Cosmos-known as Fred, Diedrich, and Henry). The family of five traveled to America in 1853, settling on a farm in Cook County, in the state of Illinois, where two more children were born (Dorothea and Fredericka). In 1858, the family moved to Cottonwood Township, Brown County, in Minnesota. Another child (William) was born here. In 1860, they moved again to a claim in section 14, Beaver Falls Township, in Renville County, where the last of their seven children (John) was born.
In the summer of 1862, when Diedrich had finished his own harvest, he was hired to harvest hay at the Lower Sioux Agency. On his way to work on August 18, 1862, the first day of the Sioux uprising, he heard shooting across the river, and knew the Indians were attacking the agency. He returned home, running across the prairie and up the bluff, to warn his family and neighbors. Families at once gathered their possessions and animals, and made other preparations to leave the area. The Wichmann family, along with the Ahrens and Schmidt families, left their homesteads, traveling in an easterly direction at night, while hiding in the woods during the day. After stopping at Ft. Ridgely to pick up son Fred, who was employed there, the Wichmanns continued their journey until reaching their old home in Illinois, where they remained for the next couple of years.
In the fall of 1864, when it was considered safe enough to return, the family moved to the New Ulm area of Minnesota, and, in the spring of 1865, they moved back to their old claim in the northeast quarter of section 14, Beaver Falls Township. The original farmhouse was no longer standing, so a stable was used as a home until one could be built. Soon after their return to the area, Diedrich and his family heard rumors of another Indian uprising near Hutchinson. The Indian scare caused the Wichmanns and others to leave their homesteads once again. When they arrived at Ft. Ridgely, the post commander urged them to go back home, and offered them weapons and ammunition for protection. Diedrich, his three oldest sons, and his neighbor, Henry Ahrens, returned to their claims. The other family members stayed away, but returned months later when the danger had passed, and there were no further incidents at Beaver Creek.
In his history of Renville County, Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge described Diedrich Wichmann as "one of the most honored of the early pioneers, one of the heroes of the days of the Indian uprising, and for many years an estimable citizen." Diedrich died in 1891 at age 69. His death was attributed to heart failure.
In the summer of 1862, when Diedrich had finished his own harvest, he was hired to harvest hay at the Lower Sioux Agency. On his way to work on August 18, 1862, the first day of the Sioux uprising, he heard shooting across the river, and knew the Indians were attacking the agency. He returned home, running across the prairie and up the bluff, to warn his family and neighbors. Families at once gathered their possessions and animals, and made other preparations to leave the area. The Wichmann family, along with the Ahrens and Schmidt families, left their homesteads, traveling in an easterly direction at night, while hiding in the woods during the day. After stopping at Ft. Ridgely to pick up son Fred, who was employed there, the Wichmanns continued their journey until reaching their old home in Illinois, where they remained for the next couple of years.
In the fall of 1864, when it was considered safe enough to return, the family moved to the New Ulm area of Minnesota, and, in the spring of 1865, they moved back to their old claim in the northeast quarter of section 14, Beaver Falls Township. The original farmhouse was no longer standing, so a stable was used as a home until one could be built. Soon after their return to the area, Diedrich and his family heard rumors of another Indian uprising near Hutchinson. The Indian scare caused the Wichmanns and others to leave their homesteads once again. When they arrived at Ft. Ridgely, the post commander urged them to go back home, and offered them weapons and ammunition for protection. Diedrich, his three oldest sons, and his neighbor, Henry Ahrens, returned to their claims. The other family members stayed away, but returned months later when the danger had passed, and there were no further incidents at Beaver Creek.
In his history of Renville County, Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge described Diedrich Wichmann as "one of the most honored of the early pioneers, one of the heroes of the days of the Indian uprising, and for many years an estimable citizen." Diedrich died in 1891 at age 69. His death was attributed to heart failure.
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