Biographical Sketches of Albert N. DIEHL; Delaware County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by 
Cyndie Enfinger <cyndiee@tampabay.rr.com>

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A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and Its People, Volume III
by John W. Jordan, LL. D. (1914), Page 817


DIEHL - Albert N. Diehl, postmaster of Essington, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, 
descends in a direct line from old Palatine stock, which settled in Pennsylvania about 
1680.  During that year the "Spotted Cow" made two voyages to America, each time 
filled with Palatine families, who accepted the invitation of the governor of 
Pennsylvania to cross the Atlantic and join their fortunes with the English emigrants.  
Despite the Indian massacres, so frequent in the Province of Pennsylvania, it was one 
of the best known of all those in the New World.  Its laws were beneficent, there was 
none of the bigotry and religious intolerance shown in Massachusetts, nor none of the 
haughtiness of the Provinces of Virginia and Maryland.  To the Palatine, Pennsylvania 
was a Mecca, a land flowing with milk and honey, albeit attended with many dangers.
  (1) Adam Diehl, the grandfather of Albert N. Diehl, was born in Schuylkill county, 
Pennsylvania, where he lived and died a prosperous farmer.  He owned his own little 
farm, which he purchased after his marriage.  Among his children was Joseph, of whom 
further
  (II) Joseph Diehl, son of Adam Diehl, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, 
and there reared.  He moved from there to Berks, and being of a roving, or pioneer 
nature, he next went to Lebanon county.  He was a blacksmith in Berks county, opening 
a smithy in 1861, which he continued for many years, establishing a reputation of being 
the best and most careful smith in the trade, in that portion of the state.  He sold 
his smithy, moved to a small farm in the same county that he purchased and eventually 
died.  He married Mary Houtz.  He had eight children, six of whom reached maturity, 
and all of whom are living.  Among them was Albert N., of whom further.
  (III)  Albert N. Diehl, son of Joseph and Mary (Houtz) Diehl, was born in Lebanon 
county, Pennsylvania.  He is of direct German descent on both paternal and distaff 
sides.  He moved with his father from Berks to Lebanon county.  He attended school in 
Lebanon county and then matriculated at the Palatinate College at Myerston, 
Pennsylvania, one of the oldest and most noted institutions of learning in the state.  
Palatinate College was founded by the Dutch Reformed Church of Pennsylvania.  At the 
age of twenty-two he took a course in telegraphy, and having acquired a working 
knowledge he was given employment by the Reading railroad; so greatly was he 
appreciated by the road that he has continued with them to the present time (1913).  
IN 1889 he moved to Essington, Delaware county, by the road and given charge of the 
station.  At that time he was appointed postmaster, the first to hold the position, 
and has continued in it since.  He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal chuch, and 
of the Free and Accepted Masons.  In politics he is a Republican, and has held local 
offices, among them being school director.  He married, in 1886, Lily Bordner.  
Children: Nevin, Mabel M., Ruth.


This file is located at:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/delaware/bios/diehl-an.txt