Jacob Dietrick

Jacob Dietrich (January 14, 1845 – March 26, 1926) was an American businessman and Civil War veteran who founded a successful dray, express, and storage warehouse business in East Orange, New Jersey. Beginning with a single wagon in 1882, he built one of the region’s leading moving and storage companies, known for its specialized piano-moving equipment and large storage facilities.

Early life Jacob Dietrich was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 14, 1845, to Ignatz and Elizabeth (Hockhalter) Dietrich, both of whom were immigrants from Germany. He spent much of his early life on a farm in New York State, later residing in New York City and various parts of New Jersey. Before establishing his own business, Dietrich worked in a variety of trades depending on the locality and season, gaining a reputation as industrious and thrifty.

Personal life On November 23, 1866, Dietrich married Emma Miller, daughter of John Miller, at Highland Falls, New York. They had seven children: Emma, Margaret, George, Anna (married William Corby), William, Chester (married Harriet Thatcher), and Lillian (married Charles C. Colbran).