John Charles Dielmann was one of the greatest contributors to San Antonio’s architecture and buildings. He was born on October 8, 1849 in Hellenhah, Province of Hessen-Nassau Germany. He quit his job on April 1, 1872 to immigrate because he didn’t want to fight wars for the Duke of Nassau and see his family die. On April 3,1872, he boarded the steamer Saxonia and 37 days later he arrived at New Orleans. He left Louisiana and went back to Nassau when he had saved enough money to marry his sweetheart, Maria Gros, on August 2,1877.

His wife was the wonderful, perfect, ideal woman who cooked, cleaned, and took care of the children. They had 9 children; 3 did not live past age one and 3 boys and 3 girls were remaining. William Vincent, the oldest, was born on January 22,1879 and died February 14,1943. He followed in his father’s footsteps managing the firm. The next oldest, Leo M. J., was born on August 14, 1881 and died December 21,1969. He was the most promising of the three boys. He graduated from St. Mary’s when he was 17, then was sent to Germany for education. The next son was Henry Benedict born on December 5,1892 and went to Georgetown. He graduated with a law degree and became the first dean of St. Mary’s law school. He also helped start the Witte Museum. All the children were very civic and did a lot in San Antonio such as served on boards and as presidents or worked in the Dielmann Construction Company.

John grew up with thrift and industry so those characteristics were developed early and held a high respect in his heart. When he first came to America he worked for 5 years as a stonecutter. Henry Pauly heard about his good work and hired him. He became a foreman in Pauly’s building contract firm. He eventually became a partner for 11 years. They built such buildings as the Kampmann Bank Building on the corner of Commerce and Soledad on July 21,1883. They also enlarged and built most of Joskes in 1887 and finished a year later. They enlarged and refurnished the Menger Hotel and then did the third story in 1885. Other buildings built were the Temple Beth-El, the Sam Maverick Bank Building, the Lone Star Brewer and St. Joseph’s Steeple. He became the sole owner in 1895 when Pauly died, he continued to build a lot of houses for very prominent people. The most famous structure is the Post Chapel at Fort Sam Houston. He retired in 1912.

He had major concern for San Antonio. He was a member of the State Association of the Chamber of Commerce and the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Benevolent Association. He helped organize the State Association of German Catholics of Texas and the Staatsverband, which located priests for
churches, and Liederkranz, which is still singing and is run by William Vincent Dielmann III, the fourth generation to serve. John died on September 13,1923. The funeral was held on September 17, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Bishop Arthur Drossaerts gave the eulogy.
 

Bibliography:
The Texas Historian. September 1984." John Charles Dielmann Pioneer Businessman of San Antonio"  Pages 1-7. Written by Jason K. Jonas. MacArthur High School, San Antonio