Friederich Martin Diefentheler was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany.  He emigrated to America in 1850 and settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  In 1856 he started a brewery in his home and ran it until at least 1870.  Later he retired to farming in the town of Washington, Wisconsin. He married Marie Betz in 1859 and they had 9 children together over 16 years.

Friederich Diefentheler died on April 11, 1902 at the age of 74.