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JOHN DEIHL, deceased, was formerly one of the prominent citizens of Louisa County, Iowa. He was born in Franklin County, Pa., Nov. 21, 1808, and there grew to manhood, receiving a liberal education. His father and mother were natives of Lancaster County, Pa., probably of German descent, and moved to Franklin County in 1808. They were the parents of six sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to maturity with the exception of the youngest son, who died at the age of sixteen. One of the sons, George, who has been a resident of Frederick, Md., for the past thirty-six years, is a prominent clergyman, and was graduated at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, in 1837, and at the seminary in 1839. Michael was also a graduate of Pennsylvania College, a minister of the Gospel, and a professor in Wittenberg College, and died in Springfield, Ohio, in April, 1869.
In 1831 John Diehl, our subject, went to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he was engaged in teaching school for a few years, and in the spring of 1836 he came to Louisa county, Iowa, where he entered 160 acres of land. In the same year Philip Harrison came to Louisa County from Pennsylvania, and formed a partnership with Mr. Deihl, which continued for about twenty years. During that time they were interested together in a number of land and other transactions, in which they were successful. Some years later Mr. Harrison went to Texas, where he died a few years ago. Mr. Deihl remained in Louisa County following the occupation of a farmer, at which time he was eminently successful, owning at the time of his death 1,200 acres of good land. In 1845 he visited his native State, going by way of Chicago, on horseback, riding one horse and leading another; then he bought a wagon and drove to Indiana, and took his widowed sister and three children to their old home in Pennsylvania, the journey occupying a number of days.
In 1850 Mr. Deihl was united in marriage with Mrs. George Johnson, who was formerly Margaret Jamison, a daughter of Merit Jamison, whose sketch appears in this work. To them was born a family of six children: John W., who died in infancy; Elizabeth, who is still at home; Merit J., who resides on the old homestead; George R., a resident farmer of Louisa County; Lydia, who died in this county, and Emma A., who died at the age of seventeen. By her former marriage Mrs. Deihl had one daughter, Mary, who is now the wife of Capt. John Campbell, of Elliott Township.
On the 17th of April, 1879, Merit J. Deihl was united in marriage with Miss Clara A. Brogan, the eldest daughter of James and Eliza J. (Van Horn) Brogan, who were early settlers of Louisa County, but now reside in Polk County, Neb. Mr. and Mrs. Deihl are the parents of three children, one son and two daughters, viz: Emma A., born March 25, 1880; Samuel J., Feb. 2, 1882, and Alma O., Oct. 19, 1885. Mr. Deihl is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the township, a Republican in politics, liberal in his views generally, and a generous supporter of any worthy public enterprise.
George R. Deihl wedded Miss Eva E. Dotson, on the 21st of January, 1880. She is a daughter of Basil and Mary (Davison) Dotson. Two sons and one daughter have graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Deihl: Blanch A., born Nov. 12, 1880; John D., Dec. 10, 1882, and J. Ross, April 2, 1885. George R. is also a large farmer, . . .
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. . . and like his brother, is a supporter of the Republican party.
The death of Mr. John Deihl occurred Sept. 16, 1878. He was a man possessing more than ordinary ability, having rare powers of discrimination and judgment, and was of unswerving integrity and great determination and energy. Although possessing an iron constitution, his intense energy caused him to overwork, and his health at length gave way. He was reared by Lutheran parents, though never united with any church but always attended religious services, and was the embodiment of integrity and uprightness. A man of economical habits, he yet gave liberally to all worthy objects, and it was a proverbial saying that his word was as good as his bond. Mr. Deihl was a self-made man, and by the assistance of his excellent wife accumulated a comfortable property, thus leaving his family in good circumstances. In early life he was a Whig, but at the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks, and was one of its earnest supporters until his death. Never a politician, he believed that the office should seek the man and not the man the office. He had several local offices tendered to him, and was elected as County Supervisor and County Commissioner, serving with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was appointed the first Postmaster of Florence Township, was a close student, and was always well informed on the affairs of the State and Nation. His was a successful life, and in the death of this honored pioneer Louisa County lost one of its best citizens. Mrs. Deihl is still living in Morning Sun.
The portrait of Mr. Deihl is presented in connection with this sketch.
