BIO: Melvin H. DIVEN, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wilson Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************************** __________________________________________________________ McElroy, James Thomas Jr., McElroy's Family Memories, Huntingdon, PA: (Author), 1930, page 43. __________________________________________________________ MELVIN H. DIVEN Mount Union, Pa. Public Accountant: Born December 12, 1899, on a farm at Blairs's Mills, Huntingdon County, Pa. A son of Warren Diven who is with the United States Refractories Company, Mount Union, Pa., and of Florence (Plank) Diven. Melvin H. Diven remained on the farm until his eighth year. He attended and graduated at the Mount Union High School, class of 1920; also the Cambria Business College, class of 1922. To further his knowledge along educational lines he attended for two years the Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa. He has been a public accountant since 1926. He is a World War veteran. Enlisted at Mount Union, Pa.; sent to Columbus Barracks as a volunteer, temporarily, was examined, and sworn in as a private. Sent to Fort Omaha, Nebraska; there for five months; assigned to 14th Balloon Company; then to Newport News, Virginia; embarked on transport (Pastores); on water for fourteen days; arrived at St. Nazaire, France; to rest camp for three days, thence to Bordeaux, France; was in air attacks there for one month; from there transferred to Third Balloon Company to Ponte-Mouson, France; was gassed; in action at this point; was here for one month; armistice signed; went to Coblenz, Germany, for guard duty, Army of Occupation; there eight months; back to St. Nazaire, France. Embarked on transport (Virginia), arrived at Newport News, Virginia; discharged from Camp Meade, July 2, 1919, with a total service of eighteen months. After arrival in United States was for two years at Government Hospital at Dawson Springs, Kentucky. He is a member of the American Legion, Simpson-Hunt Post, Mount Union, No. 107, Sec., L.O.O.M., No. 1361; Disabled Veterans of World War, Chapter No. 9, Dawson Springs, Kentucky, Duquesne Alumni Association, Mount Union Country Club, and the Methodist Episcopal Church. Has two brothers: Ross, Mount Union, Pa.; Donald, Pottsville, Pa., with Western Electric Company. Three sisters: Mrs. Dora Foster, Mount Union, Pa. Since this sketch has been written, Mr. Diven has been elected Tax Collector.