Erwin F. Dygert

Erwin F. Dyget is notable for importing the Belgian Horse. He brought the last horses out of Europe before the beginning of the second world war. "The last imported Belgian was purchased by E.F. Dygert, an Iowa importer, and landed in New York on January 15, 1940. This was just four months after World War II had started and four months before the German invasion of Belgium." [http://www.kyhorsepark.com/imh/bw/bel.html Belgian Horse History]

Erwin is also the namesake for the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial Trot [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060617/ai_n16494924 Trot Info]

"The race is named for Erwin Dygert, who started and ran the old Aurora Downs meeting at Aurora, 35 miles west of Chicago, in the late 1940s. The race later was transferred to Hawthorne at Suburban Downs." [http://www.ustrotting.com/hoofbeats/stan-au.htm Dygert Horse History]

His first wife died and Erwin later remarried Beulah Dygert(Farmer) of Danville, IL. Who continued to work at the Hawthorne Race Course until her late 80's. [http://www.harnesstracks.com/2002_DRF/DRF_August_1_2002.htm Erwin as "patriarch of Illinois harness racing"]

Erwin Dygert is of the family that owns the farm on Elk St. in Springville, New York that was home to the first Erie County Fair.

Erwin married and had 3 children Mary (Dill), Erwin William "Bill", Marjorie(Wallace), and Gloria (Morrison).