H. A. Dinges M.D.

H. A. Dinges, M.D. who is engaged in the practice of medicine and also carries on a drug store in Red Bud, has the honor of being a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Waterloo. His parents, George and Eva (Eckel) Dinges, were both natives of Germany, born near Frankfort-on-the-Main, where they grew to mature years and were married. About 1854 they bade adieu to their native land and crossed the Atlantic to America. Their family numbered six children, four of whom are still living. The father was a blacksmith by trade and one of his sons followed the pursuit. One son, George, left home in 1861 to enlist among the boys in blue of the Union army, and for a time served under General Sigel. He continued with his company until after the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and then died in Mississippi of yellow fever. Another brother, Adam, was killed by a mule, and at his death left a family of seven children. Two of the sisters reside in St. Louis, and one in Monroe County, Ill.

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood in the place of his nativity, and during his youth began clerking in a drug store, thus earning his own livelihood. At the age of seventeen he left home and went to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he spent one year, on the expiration of which period he located in St. Louis, where he continued in the drug business for five years. He then again changed his location, coming to Red Bud in October, 1878. In the autumn of 1883 he entered the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated after pursing a three years' course, in 1886. He at once returned to Red Bud, and again took charge of the drug store which he had established in 1878. He also opened an office, and has since been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine.

In the spring of 1879 Dr. Dinges was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Lohbeck) Schrage, who remained in Red Bud with her little ones while the Doctor attended college. They have three children, viz.: Eugene George, Ellanro Margaret and Henry Alphons. The family is one of prominence in the community, its members ranking high in social circles.

Since 1891 Dr. Dinges has been an honored member of the Southern Illinois Medical Association. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now serving his second term as County Coroner. He and his family hold membership with the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, which society he is now serving as State Vice-President. His skill and ability in his profession have won him an enviable reputation, and he is now doing a good business, both as a medical practitioner and as a druggist.