Diehl, George

DIEHL, AULTMAN, RILEY, BUTLER, VON HAGEN, PETERMEIER, POOLE, GEISE, WEGNER, SHIRK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/28/2009 at 21:51:29

Diehl, George

Among the influential citizens of Baxter, Jasper County, the reader's attention is called to a brief review of the life work of George Diehl, who for over forty years was a resident of this locality, in fact, spent most of his life here, and although his career was not altogether one of smooth sailing, yet he could look back with satisfaction as he recalled the arduous toil performed, the many obstacles overcome and the victories won in his struggles to gain an independent position which he held, but those sturdy traits of his German and Yankee ancestors were inherited by him and exemplified in the determination and perseverance which always characterized him. The present day prosperity of this locality is largely indebted to the sturdy and indefatigable class of citizens of which the subject was a conspicuous example.

Mr. George Diehl was born in Oneida County, New York, April 24, 1859. He was the son of Julius and Elizabeth (Aultman) Diehl, the father born in Germany and the mother in New York. The former immigrated to America early in life, located in the State of New York and there met and married the subject's mother. They spent their early lives there and about a year after the closing of the Civil War they joined the tide of emigration to the West, locating in Malaka Township, Jasper County, Iowa, when their son George, of this review, was seven years of age. There they worked hard to get a start in the new country, and in due course of time had a good home and an excellent farm and there they still reside, the father now nearly eighty years of age.

He is a gentleman of splendid characteristics, industrious, honorable and has long borne hip full share in the work of developing the interests of this locality.

To Mr. and Mrs. Julius Diehl ten children have been born, four sons and six daughters, namely: Mrs. Dora Riley lives in Des Moines; Mrs. Alice Butler lives in Newton; Mrs. Laura Von Hagen lives near Ira, this County; Mrs. Florence Petermeier and Mrs. Henrietta Butler both live at Newton; Mrs. Maggie Poole lives at Baxter; George, of this sketch; Nicodemus is a resident of the State of Kansas; Charles lives at Turner, Iowa; Harry lives with his parents on the old home farm in Malaka Township.

George Diehl grew to manhood on the home farm in Malaka Township and there assisted with the general work during the crop seasons, attending the neighboring district schools. In 1899 he was married to Minnie Geise, who was born, reared and educated in Malaka Township, this County. She is the daughter of Henry and Louisa (Wegner) Geise, the father born in Germany in 1828, and the mother was also born in the fatherland, in 1829. They spent their childhood in that country, immigrating to America and located in Jasper County, Iowa, in pioneer days, residing at Newton the first two years. They came without capital, but being thrifty had a good home in later years and here they spent the remainder of their lives, both dying at Baxter, he in January 1907, she having preceded him to the grave in 1902, when seventy years of age. They were the parents of six children, named as follows: Mrs. Etta Shirk, of Iowa City; H. A. lives at Baxter, this County; Fred also resides there; Adolph lives on the home farm in Malaka Township; Minnie, wife of the subject of this sketch; Edward makes his home in Newton. To Mr. and Mrs. Diehl has been born one son, Harlan, whose birth occurred on January 28, 1905; he is attending school in Baxter.

Mr. Diehl was very successful in a business way. He followed farming until 1891, when he moved to Baxter and identified himself with the implement business, in which he continued, having built up a large and ever-growing trade with the towns and rural districts of the County, always carrying a full, up-to-date arid very carefully selected stock of farming machinery, automobiles, gas-engines, etc. He was the organizer of the Baxter Co-Operative Implement Company. He also owned a number of shares in the State Savings Bank of Baxter.

Mr. Diehl was a member of Baxter Lodge No. 168, Knights of Pythias. He served his second term on the town council in which he made his influence felt for the general good of the community. He died at Baxter on the 28th of December 1911, leaving his wife, child and many friends to mourn his departure. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1150.