The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 889 

JOHN DIEM.

John Diem, engaged in the harness business in Yakima, was born in Switzerland on
the 21st of October, 1862, a son of John and Eliza Diem. The mother passed away
in her native country and the father afterward came to the United States in
1863. Arrived in the new world, his sympathies were with the federal government
in its efforts to preserve the Union and he enlisted for service in the Civil
war. He afterward returned to Switzerland and passed away in that country. He
was a son of John Diem, who had come to the United States about 1860 and who
after the death of his son John brought his grandson, John Diem of this review,
and his sister Eliza, to the United States, rearing them in Payson, Utah. He was
a tanner by trade.

John Diem, whose name introduces this record, was educated in the schools of
Switzerland and of America and in his youthful days took up the tanning business
in connection with his grandfather. He afterward entered the harness-making
business on his own account at Payson, Utah, in 1884, and in 1886 removed to
Park City, Utah, where he conducted a harness shop until 1909. He then came to
Yakima and purchased the harness business of T. R. Fisher at No. 26 South Second
street, where he has since been located. He manufactures all of the harness
which he sells, does all of the strap work and displays marked skill and ability
in this line. He also employs two men and he carries a full line of harness,
saddles and all goods of that character.

On the 12th of October, 1892, Mr. Diem was married to Miss Mabel Krigbaum, of
Park City. Utah, and they have two children: Ira J., living in Seattle; and
Francis E., who is in the Hospital Corps with the United States navy.

Mr. Diem is a Mason of high rank, having membership in Yakima Lodge No. 24. F. &
A. M.; Yakima Chapter No. 21, R. A. M.; Yakima Commandery, No. 13, K. T.; and
Afifi Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His political support is given to the
republican party and that he is active in behalf of the business development of
the community is indicated in his membership in the Yakima Valley Business Men's
Association and in the Yakima Commercial Club. He is a self-made man-one whose
industry has been the foundation upon which he has builded his success. He early
learned the value of unwearied effort and perseverance, and carefully directing
his labors as the years have gone by, he has reached a place among the
substantial business men of his adopted city.

********************************
Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.