HENRY B. DIELMANN was born on December 5, 1892, in San Antonio, Texas, to Maria and John Dielmann, one of 10 sons. Dielmann completed his elementary education at Saint Joseph’s College, the parish school of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. His family moved to Germany, near Koblenz, where Dielmann pursued his studies and would graduate from the Gymnasium, known in the United States as a preparatory high school. Afterwards, he traveled through Europe, visiting countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, and France.[1]
Following his European tour, Dielmann moved back to the United States, where he attended the School of Law at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. While in D.C., he gained experience working at the Library of the Supreme Court and in the Law Division of the Library of Congress of the United States. In 1918, Dielmann graduated from Georgetown with an LL.B. degree and was admitted to the Bar of D.C. Chief Justice Walter I. McCoy addressed the new attorney’s, including Dielmann and 86 others.[2]
Upon his return to his native city of San Antonio in 1919, Dielmann practiced law as an assistant city attorney. On June 26, 1919, he married Ivetta “Betty” Trester. In 1923, he set up a private partnership with W.J.T. Gittinger. Already an established member of the San Antonio, State, and American Bar associations, Dielmann became a founder and a member of one of the first board of directors of the Witte Museum in 1926 and a member of the Centennial Comittee. In 1927, he formed the legal form of Dielmann & Foster. Interested in more than legal practice, Dielmann entered politics and served three terms (1923‒1929) as a member of the Texas State House of Representatives in the State Legislature.[3]
On May 14, 1937, graduates of the old San Antonio School of Law and St. Mary’s University School of Law formed the First Alumni Association, called “St Mary’s University Law Guild.” Among the founders, Dielmann also worked as an instructor at the University, and performed administrative duties under Judge and Dean Anton Norwald Moursund. Dielmann became Dean at Saint Mary’s University Law School in the fall of 1938, and served until 1942, when the school closed because of World War II. As an instructor, Dielmann taught the advanced subjects of Corporations, Partnership, and Constitutional Law. Around this time, Dielmann married his second wife, Edna Smith.[4]
In addition to his notable achievements as Dean of the Law School, Dielmann also enjoyed religion, music, and other activities. He was a member of the St. Joseph’s Society, the Order of Sons of Hermann, and the Siemering Lodge No. 32. Dielmann directed the San Antonio Symphony Society, and served as president of the Chamber Music Society, trustee of Our Lady of the Lake College, and president of the San Antonio Historical Association. Dielmann worked closely with Beethoven Männerchor, one of the oldest surviving singing societies, founded in 1865 and served as first vice president of the Catholic Central Verein of America for several years based on his prior experience in Germany.[5]
Henry B. Dielmann passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on April 20, 1970, aged 77, and was interred at the St. Joseph’s Society Cemetery.[6]
By Hector Martinez, St. Mary’s University Law Fellows in Public History, 2023.
[1] Diana J. Kleiner, Dielmann, Henry B., Sr.,” Handbook of Texas Online, (Dec. 1, 1994) , Published by the Texas Historical Association (TSHA), https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dielmann-henry-b-sr.
We Beg To Introduce Law School Faculty, The Rattler, Apr. 4, 1935, at 3.
[2] 87 New Lawyers Addressed By Justice M’Coy, The Washington Times (Washington [D.C.]), June 29, 1918, at 2. https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84026749/1918-06-29/ed-1/?sp=2&r=-0.002,0,1.012,0.604,0
We Beg To Introduce Law School Faculty, The Rattler, Apr. 4, 1935, at 3.
[3] Diana J. Kleiner, Dielmann, Henry B., Sr.,” Handbook of Texas Online, (Dec. 1, 1994) , Published by the Texas Historical Association (TSHA), https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dielmann-henry-b-sr.
“Legislative Reference Library of Texas” Biographical Notes and Resources. https://lrl.texas.gov/legeleaders/members/memberdisplay.cfm?memberID=2240#bio
We Beg To Introduce Law School Faculty, The Rattler, Apr. 4, 1935, at 3.
[4] Diana J. Kleiner, Dielmann, Henry B., Sr.,” Handbook of Texas Online, (Dec. 1, 1994) , Published by the Texas Historical Association (TSHA), https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dielmann-henry-b-sr.
Ernest A. Raba, St. Mary’s University School of Law: A Personal History, at 12, 41, (1983).
We Beg To Introduce Law School Faculty, The Rattler, Apr. 4, 1935, at 3.
[5] Diana J. Kleiner, Dielmann, Henry B., Sr.,” Handbook of Texas Online, (Dec. 1, 1994) , Published by the Texas Historical Association (TSHA), https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dielmann-henry-b-sr.
[6] Emory Schnuriger, Henry B Dielman Sr., Find A Grave, Accessed Sept. 21, 2023. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/96623480/henry-b-dielmann#share_email
