OBIT: Jeremiah W. DIEHL, 1905, Adams County, PA

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Jeremiah W. Diehl

Jeremiah W. Diehl had been in failing health during the winter months but his 
sudden death on last Friday afternoon was totally unexpected and came as a shock 
to his many friends in town and county.  Mr. Diehl felt well enough on Friday to 
go to the dinner table.  He made no complaint of feeling worse.  After finishing 
his meal he went to his bed and shortly afterwards death came, and apparently 
there was no struggle, the cause being pronounced as heart failure.

The ancestors of Jeremiah W. Diehl originally came from Wurtemburg, Germany and 
he was of the Diehl family that has been prominent for more than a century in 
York and Adams counties.  Mr. Diehl was born near New Oxford, this county, June 
26, 1828, son of Peter and Anna Mary (Smyser) Diehl.  His father was a tanner, 
which occupation the deceased took up and followed for many years at New Oxford 
and later at Beechersville, near Arendtsville.  Mr. Diehl possessed those 
qualities of application, perseverance and determination that mark the 
successful business man and it was these characteristics that helped him through 
difficulties which would have crushed many other men.  His tannery was burnt 
down and he had to make a fresh start as it were.  He remained in tanning 
business from 1860 to 1879.  About latter date he turned his attention to 
farming and bought the Reynolds Hotel farm property on the Chambersburg pike.  
He lived there but a few years but in that time showed his ability to manage a 
farm and make it pay.  About twenty years ago he moved to this place into the 
residence occupied by him at time of his death.  He became interested at once in 
a number of the town enterprises, the Water Company, of which later he became 
President occupying this position at time of his death, the Adams County Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company, of which he was first a director and then its efficient 
President.  He also became interested in the Littlestown turnpike and was 
Superintendent of it for several years.  In these matters he displayed the same 
characteristics which had made him the successful business man.  He was a 
Republican in politics and a member of St. James Lutheran church.  The funeral 
was held on Monday afternoon services being conducted by Rev. Dr. J. A. Clutz, 
assisted by Rev. A. R. Stock and Dr. T. C. Billheimer, with interment in the 
Evergreen Cemetery.  He leaves besides his wife, three sons and five daughters, 
Wm. A. Diehl of New Oxford, Mervin S. Diehl and Edwin J. Diehl, an attorney at 
Charleston, Mo., Mrs. Ida K. Ross of Cumberland township, Mrs. Laura A. 
Diffenderfer of Carlisle, Mrs. S. May Blocher and Mrs. Amber L. Bream of this 
place and Miss Annie at home.

Gettysburg Compiler – Wednesday, May 8, 1905