Merrit J. Deihl

DEIHL, JAMISON, BROGAN, BROWN, JOHNSON, CAMPBELL, ARCHIBALD, DERBY, DUNCAN, MCLAUGHLIN, HINDERMAN, OAKES, MCCLURKIN

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/9/2018 at 16:07:58

Morning Sun News-Herald, April 4, 1935

Merrit J. Deihl, son of John and Margaret (Jamison) Deihl, was born March 16, 1856, and departed this life April 2, 1935. He was born in a log cabin on the Deihl homestead, south of Wapello, where he spent his boyhood, attending the Fairview rural school, and later Howe's Academy at Mt. Pleasant.

He was married to Clara Brogan, April 17, 1879. At that time he was farming what is now the George Deihl farm and here he took his bride, where they lived for five years. Here their first child, Emma, was born. They then moved to the present home where a son, Samuel J. and another daughter, Alma, were born. In 1898 the family moved to Wapello, where they resided three years, after which they returned to the farm. Hence all but eight years of Mr. Deihl's life were spent on the farm where he was born.

This farm is one of the largest and best-improved farms in Louisa county. Here Mr. Deihl built a beautiful home where he reared his family. In addition to operating the farm, he took an active interest in civic affairs, serving on the county board of supervisors for six years, as an appraiser on the collateral inheritance tax committee, and as commissioner for the drainage district in the Oakville vicinity for several years.

He found recreation from his many duties in his favor pastime hunting, and visiting with his many friends. He valued friendship very highly, and during his last illness he spoke feelingly of the many kindnesses shown by his friends.

Following his wife's death on March 27, 1916, Mr. Deihl continued to live on the home place with his son, Samuel J., and wife, who had assumed the management of the farm.

He had been in failing health for many years and had been confined to his bed for the past ten weeks. During the first five weeks he was tenderly cared for by Geda Hamilton and his loved ones, and the last five weeks by their family nurse, Frederica Beesskove.

He was preceded in death by his wife, one daughter, Alma, who was married to Sanky Brown December 11, 1911, and passed away April 1, 1912; also a sister, Emma, and a half sister, Mary Jane Johnson, who married W. J. Campbell; and one brother, George.

He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. H. R. Archibald, one son, Samuel J., one sister, Lizzie Deihl of Morning Sun, eight grandchildren, Mary, May and Merit Archibald; Fay, Frances, Irving, Everett and Alma Deihl, and many nieces and nephews. These, with a host of other relatives and friends, will ever hold in reverence the memory of Merit Deihl.

Funeral services were held from the Bethel rural church Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Dr. J R. Fraser, assisted by the Rev. Treverton Warren. Messrs. Lowry Wilson, J C. Green, Fred Wehmeyer and Harry Grim sang two numbers. He was laid to rest in the Bethel cemetery by near and dear friends, O. L. Derby, J. Carson Duncan, Charles McLaughlin, A. W. Hinderman, G. W. Oakes and C. L. McClurkin.