Johann Otto von Dernbach

Johann Otto von Dernbach (* 1658 ; † May 29, 1697 in Graz ) was ruler of the Wiesentheid rule from 1681 to 1697 .

Life

Johann Otto von Dernbach was born in 1658. Arnstein in Lower Franconia , where his father was a senior bailiff, may be considered as his place of birth . The father, Freiherr Otto Wilhelm von Dernbach , was married to Anna Catharina Magdalena Echter von Mespelbrunn . As the firstborn, Johann Otto had four siblings, but only two of them reached adulthood.

First, Johann was canon in Würzburg. However, he soon renounced his spiritual benefices in order to pursue a secular career. His uncle, Peter Philipp von Dernbach , was Prince-Bishop of Würzburg and Bamberg and supported his nephew. Because of Peter Philipp, the von Dernbach family was elevated to the status of imperial baron on July 30, 1675, and a few years later, in 1678, even to the status of imperial count.

Emperor Leopold I wanted the family to have their own imperial rule. Since Bishop Peter Philipp was bound in his spiritual areas, he chose Johann Otto and his younger brother Philipp Wilhelm. In 1681 the Wiesentheid lordship was raised to an imperial estate, and Johann Otto von Dernbach became the first ruling count of the newly created imperial direct rule.

In addition to his work as sovereign, Johann Dernbach also held other offices. So he was the Würzburg hereditary marshal, imperial chamberlain and imperial secret council . As sovereign he tried to strengthen Wiesentheid's rule. In 1682 Wiesentheid received market rights , and in 1685 he introduced court and market regulations.

When Johann Otto von Dernbach became seriously ill in 1696, his third wife, Maria Eleonore von Hatzfeld , was appointed his successor. Johann Otto died in Graz on May 29, 1697.

Marriages and offspring

Johann Otto von Dernbach first married Anna Maria Voit von Rieneck , who died childless in 1690. He then married Countess Maria Catharina von Lengheim on April 16, 1691, with whom he had two children, both of whom, however, did not reach adulthood:

• Johann Joseph Anton (February 8, 1692; † 1693)
• Maria Catharina (* 1693; † 1693)

After the death of his second wife on April 18, 1695, Johann Otto married Maria Eleonore Charlotta von Hatzfeld that same year . From this connection came a daughter who died during her first year of life;

• Maria Charlotta (* 1696; † 1696)

literature

• Max Domarus: Territory of Wiesentheid. Documents on the history of the imperial rule (county) 1681-1806 . Munich 1956.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Max Domarus: Territorium Wiesentheid , p. 18.
2. ↑ Max Domarus: Territorium Wiesentheid , p. 53.

predecessor	Office	Successor
---	Count of Wiesentheid 1681–1697	Maria Eleonore von Dernbach