Charles B. Dittmar, Orphan Train Rider

Charles B. Dittmar came west in 1891, when he was just nine years old. He was first sent to a family in a little place called Weston, west of Fairbury, Illinois in Livingston County. In 1900 he was living with a young couple named Stewart in Yates Township, McLean County.

Charles' parents were both from England, but he was born in New York in March 1882 according to the 1900 census. He married June 29, 1918 to Mrs. Minnie Walker. At that time the name of his father was recorded as Berthold Dittmar. Minnie's maiden name had been Strode. They next appeared in the 1930 and 1940 census in Yacolt. Washington, where they had a restaurant. They also had a son they named Stuart Dittmar. It is a pleasant thought to think that Charles had fond memories of the family he lived with in Illinois and named his son for them.