Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Diehl, David
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


DAVID DIEHL, a citizen of prominence and influence in 
Colerain township, is widely and favorably known throughout 
Bedford County, which he served three consecutive years as 
Sheriff.  He was born in Colerain, Pa., April 13, 1825, a 
son of John and Mary (Koontz) Diehl.  He is a descendant in 
the fourth generation of Samuel Diehl, who removed from 
Loudoun County, Virginia, to Friend's Cove, Pa., in 1784, 
and became the founder of the Diehl family of this locality. 
 Further ancestral history may be found on another page of 
this volume, in connection with the sketch of Henry P. 
Diehl, a kinsman of David Diehl.
  John Diehl, a lifelong resident of Colerain township, died 
here on May 10, 1870.  He was identified with the 
agricultural interests of this community as a prosperous 
farmer, and assisted in its educational progress while 
serving as a School Director.  In his earlier years he was a 
Whig in politics, and from the formation of the Republican 
party became one of its strongest supporters.  His wife's 
maiden name was Mary Koontz.  She bore him several children, 
of whom the following survive: Levi H., of Illinois; David, 
the special subject of this brief sketch; John S., of Mann's 
Choice, Pa.; Mrs. Susanna Exline, of Mercer County, Ohio; 
Mary, wife of Jacob Harclerode, of Lafayette County, 
Missouri; and Samuel J., of Van Wert County, Ohio.
  David Diehl received his mental equipment for life's 
battle in the common schools of Colerain, and on the 
parental homestead was drilled in the many branches of 
agriculture to which he has devoted the better part of his 
life.  One of the leading farmers of Colerain and a man of 
strong personality, he has wielded a good influence in the 
community, where his qualities are well understood and 
appreciated.  He has been elected to various important 
positions of public trust, having served as Road Supervisor 
one term, as School Director one term, and as Justice of the 
Peace eight years.  In the fall of 1884 Mr. Diehl, a strong 
Republican living in a Democratic district, was elected 
Sheriff of Bedford County by a notable majority of two 
hundred and fifty good votes, a fact that attests his 
popularity as a man and as a citizen.  Going into office the 
first day of the following January, he removed to Bedford, 
Pa., where he resided until the expiration of his official 
term, three years later.  He was a prime mover in the 
organization of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Rainsburg, of which 
he is a charter member; and he also belongs to the Bedford 
Camp, No. 114.  He united with the Reformed church a long 
time ago, and has since served as Deacon and as Elder, the 
latter being an office that he now holds.
  On December 6, 1850, Mr. Diehl married Miss Eve A. 
Ritchey, a daughter of the late John R. Ritchey, of Bedford, 
Pa.  She died August 24, 1892, leaving five children, 
namely: John R.; Matthew I.; Olive C., wife of Charles E. 
Stuckey; Elizabeth, wife of Frederick Smith; and U. Grant.  
Two other children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Diehl; namely, Samuel H. and Susan, both of whom have passed 
to the life beyond.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa