Biographical Sketch of D. R. Diffenderfer, Laclede County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, 
Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri" The Goodspeed Publishing
Company, 1889.
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D. R. Diffenderfer, banker at Lebanon, Mo., and son of Michael and Mary
(Esterly) Diffenderfer, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in January
1821.  The Diffenderfer family are of German descent, were originally
from Hanover, Germany, and came to America in the celebrated ship named
"William and Mary" in 1727, which brought over the refugees.  Michael
Diffenderfer received a grant of land from William Penn, which was 
called "Michael Diffenderfer's Reserve."  He was a farmer, and followed
this occupation all his life.  He died in Lancaster county, as did also
the mother.  They were the parents of five children, three now living:
David R., Mary (wife of A. G. Sutton), and Frank R. (who is now assoc-
iate editor of the Lancaster (Penn.) New Era).  D. R. Diffenderfer
received a fair education in the common schools, and at the age of
sixteen he went to Pittsburg, Penn., where he learned the drug busi-
ness.  At the end of six years he went to St. Louis, where he again
engaged in the drug business, and in 1849 he went to El Paso, Mexico,
where he followed the mercantile business until 1861.  In 1852 he was
appointed by President Millard Fillmore as United States Consul, and
continued under President Buchanan's administration.  At the time of 
the firing on Fort Sumter, Mr. Diffenderfer was in New York City buying
goods, and experienced great trouble in getting through.  He was cap-
tured in Texas, and imprisoned at Fort Bliss, but only retained a short
time.  In 1862 he came home, and in 1864 he was united in marriage to 
Miss Margaret Dunham, a native of New Jersey.  To them were born seven
children: William, Mary, David, Henry, Jane, John and Grace.  After the
assassination of President Lincoln Mr. Diffenderfer returned to El Paso
where he was engaged in merchandising until 1871.  He then returned to
Lancaster, Penn., embarked in the banking business, and this he carried
on until after the panic of 1873.  In 1876 he came to Lebanon, Mo., and
was engaged in railroad contracting until 1886, since which time he has 
been in the banking business.  Mr. Diffenderfer is a Mason, a Knight
Templar, and is one of the prominent and leading citizens of Laclede
county.  His paternal grandfather, David Diffenderfer, served as 
ensign in the Revolutionary War, was at Valley Forge, and crossed the
Delaware River at Trenton with Washington.  He was also at the battles 
of Princeton and Monmouth, and received a wound at the last named 
place.  After recovering from his wounds he re-entered the army, and 
was captured at the battle of Long Island.  He died in Lancaster coun-
ty, Penn., in his ninety-fourth year.

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