BIO: John Alexander Ahl, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER XLI.

                         BOROUGH OF NEWVILLE. 

447  BOROUGH OF NEWVILLE.

  JOHN ALEXANDER AHL, M. D. (deceased), was a grandson of John Peter 
Ahl, who came to this country about the beginning of the Revolutionary 
war, and soon entered the Continental Army as surgeon; at its close he 
began practicing in Rockingham County, Va., but some years later was 
ordained in the Lutheran Church, preaching in it up to the time of his 
death, which occurred in Baltimore at the advanced age of ninety-six 
years.  John Peter Ahl had four sons and two daughters, his son John 
being father of Dr. John A. Ahl.  He was also a physician in 
Rockingham, where he married Nancy Ellen Vaughan, and removed to 
Franklin County, Penn.  Ten years later he came to Shippensburg, this 
county, staying but a few months; thence moved to Newville, where he 
practiced until his death, which occurred April 9, 1844.  He had five 
sons.  John Alexander Ahl was born in Strasburg, Franklin Co., Penn., 
August 13, 1813, and subsequently determined to follow his father's 
profession, reading in his father's office and attending lectures in 
the University of Maryland and in Washington Medical College in 
Baltimore, obtaining his degree there in 1838.  He practiced in 
Centreville, Penn., for ten years, then moved to Churchtown, same 
State, where he obtained a lucrative practice, thence he went to 
Brandtville, Penn., practicing and milling and grain-dealing for about 
six years, when he came to Newville, this county, engaging in paper 
manufacturing, and shortly thereafter associating with him in the 
business his sons John S. and Q. P. Ahl.  He was also extensively 
engaged in forwarding business and in real estate with his brothers.  A 
stanch Democrat, not having held office before, he, in 1856, was 
elected to Congress by 1,561 majority over Gen. Lemuel Todd, who had 
carried the district two years before by a large majority.  He served 
his constituents admirably, and on his return devoted himself with 
characteristic energy to his large business interests, in which he was 
eminently successful, acquiring a large estate.  He was a presidential 
elector in 1860.  On April 22, 1845, he was married to Elizabeth, 
daughter of James Williams, by whom he had eight children:  John 
Sherrod, Q. Parker, Abram Williams, Elizabeth W., Laura Bell, Emma 
Louisa, Frank Woodard and Augusta Vaun.  Q. Parker, the second son and 
only child living, was born July 19, 1847; is unmarried and lives with 
his mother in Newville.  Dr. John Alexander Ahl died April 25, 1882.  
An energetic and upright man, who often helped the deserving, he was a 
credit to his family and name, and when he died left to his widow and 
son the priceless heritage of a good name.