Dihel, John J.

DIHEL, MILLER, UNANGST

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/8/2020 at 17:36:38

John J. Dihel, liveryman, Washington, was born in Fountain County, Ind., Nov. 26, 1841. His father, John W. Dihel, was a native of Virginia, while his mother, Nancy (Miller) Dihel, was a native of Ohio. They were married in Indiana, and were the parent of fourteen children, eleven of whom lived to be adults, and ten of whom are yet living: Robert M and William L., of this county; John J., of Washington; Thomas E., of Union County, Ill.; Nancy J., the wife of Robert D. Speer, of Mercer County, Ill.; Mary, the wife of John W. Ashenbursh, of Cass County, Mo.; Margaret, the wife of Curtis M. Lamar, of Saunders County, Neb.; Sarah, the wife of Erwin Lamar, also of Saunders County, Neb.; Dolly A., the wife of Albert Vance, of Platte County, Neb.; Lillie B., the wife of R. M. George, of Washington County.

In 1847, the family moved to Mercer County, Ill., and were among the early settlers of that county. John W. Dihel, the father of our subject, was a man well posted in political affairs; he was a strong anti-slavery man, and cast the first abolitionist vote in Mercer County. On the organization of the Republican party, believing it better calculated to carry out free-soil principles, Mr. Dihel became identified with it, advocating its principles till his death. In 1880, he moved to Washington County, where he died in September, 1885. Mrs. Dihel died in 1881. They were both members of the United Presbyterian Church.

John. J. Dihel, of whom we now write, was reared in Mercer County, Ill., and was educated in the common schools, going a distance of two miles from his home. In 1861, he enlisted under the call for 300,000 men, in Co. A, 30th Ill., Vol. Inf. He was mustered into the service with the regiment at Springfield, Ill., and participated in the battles of Belmont, Ft. Donelson and Ft. Henry. On account of physical disability, he was soon afterward discharged, and returned home. Recovering his health, in 1864, he again enlisted in the same company and regiment, and was sent to Rome, Ga., the regiment forming one of that grand army that marched with Sherman to the sea, and was with the regiment at Durham Station at the surrender of Johnston, and was also in the grand review at Washington, D.C. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 17, 1865, and on the 28th of the same month, was paid off and discharged at Springfield, Ill. Again returning to his home in Mercer County, Ill., he remained there until 1872, when he came to Washington County, and engaged in farming, continuing in that vocation for a number of years. In the spring of 1886, he embarked in his present business, and is now successfully following it.

Mr. Dihel was married in Mercer County, Ill., July 10, 1867, to Miss May, J. Unangst, a native of New Jersey, born in 1842. By this union there are four children – George E., Francis L., Ettie I. and Allie E. Mr. and Mrs. Dihel are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the G. A. R.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of John J. Dihel, page 408.