Gustav Diedrich, member of the House from Pottawattamie county, was born at Minden, province of Westphalia, Germany, March 16, 1845. He attended school in his native land, but at the age of 17 came to America with his parents. From 1862 to 1864 he attended school at Brooklyn, New York, and there gained a very practical knowledge of the English tongue. Coming to Davenport in 1864 he entered a law and abstract office, where he continued for two years, then went into business for himself, He moved to Avoca in 1870. There he has built up a fine business in general merchandise, besides running a consular transaction bureau in connection with which he does foreign banking and collecting. He became an American citizen as soon possible after his arrival in this county. In Avoca he is held in high esteem in social and business circles. Twice he has held the office of mayor. Besides this he has been town recorder, town trustee and school director. His elections have always been on the Democratic ticket, which party he has supported from the start. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and a number of German societies. He attends the German Lutheran church. In the semi-public corporations he has a prominent place, being president of the Avoca Electric Light and Power company and vice president of the Avoca bank. With all these-varied interests to look after Mr. Diedrich is a busy man, but not too much so to be able to look after public matters and take an active interest in all that is being done.