BIO:  Peter DIEHL, Oxford Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 493

PETER DIEHL, retired farmer and tanner, P. O. New Oxford, is a native of York 
County, Penn., where his birth occurred in 1802, having descended from the 
prominent and influential family of Diehl, who settled in an early day in York 
County, and whose history is recorded elsewhere in this work.  His parents were 
Daniel and Rosanna Diehl.  Peter was reared in York County; was there married in 
November, 1823, to Anna M. Smyser, whose family was one of prominence in York 
County, Daniel Smyser having been a judge on the bench and his father, George 
Smyser, one of the early associate judges of that county.  Our subject, in 
February, 1824, after his marriage, located in the neighborhood where he now 
resides, being the first member of his family to settle in that vicinity.  He 
purchased a small farm and in connection with it a tannery, that was established 
in 1800 by John Slagle, which business he carried on successfully for many 
years, retiring therefrom in 1864.  A portion of his land lying adjacent to New 
Oxford, he had it laid out into lots and platted, and it now forms an addition 
to the borough.  In 1830 he erected the brick mansion in which he now resides, 
where he and his wife are spending the evening of their lives together, 
surrounded with all comforts, the fruits of their industry and economy in former 
years.  Each has been a member of the Lutheran Church since 1820, and they have 
contributed liberally to its support.  Time has dealt gently with this aged 
couple, who have journeyed together through a period of sixty odd years, and are 
in reasonably good health and in full possession of all their faculties.  Mr. 
Diehl is now the oldest person living in New Oxford.  He remarks, with great 
pride, that since 1830 he has been an earnest advocate of the cause of 
temperance and was the first person in his neighborhood to openly announce his 
principles, which were instilled in his posterity, and some of his sons, all 
grown, never have tasted intoxicating liquors.  Our subject, in his younger 
life, was an active local politician, and held almost every office in the 
township.  He has been a good business man, and is one of the substantial 
citizens of Adams County.  He was at one time a director of the Hanover branch 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad.  In 1842 he was chosen one of the county 
commissioners, and in 1875 he was elected a director of the First National Bank 
of Gettysburg, a position he still retains.  To this couple have been born seven 
sons and four daughters (ten living), viz.:  Martin, Israel, Jeremiah, Henry, 
Andrew, Edward, Charles, Sarah A., Louisa S., Anna M. and Elvira J.  October 7, 
1883, there was a family reunion in the old mansion, each living representative 
being present.  Israel was one of the most renowned temperance orators in the 
United States, and traveled extensively in Europe.  Having been educated for a 
Methodist minister, he accomplished a great work prior to his death, which 
occurred January 4, 1875.  Five children yet remain in Adams County; all are 
married and doing well.  Sixty-three years of married life have sat lightly on 
Mr. and Mrs. Diehl.