BIOS: John H. PFAHLER, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 81-82.

  John H. Pfahler, who conducts a thriving grocery business in 
Meyersdale, was born in Salisbury, Pa., July 20, 1859, son of the Rev. 
Matthew F. and Henrietta (Schultz) Pfahler.  His paternal grandfather, 
Frederick Pfahler, son of John, came to the United States in 1817, and 
settled in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming 
and the cultivation of grapes, which had been his occupation in the old 
country.  Frederick Pfahler was the father of five children, namely: 
David, who died on the voyage from Germany to America; John, who is no 
longer living; the Rev. Matthew F., above named; Kate, who was 
graduated from the institution for the Blind, Philadelphia, and is now 
residing at a home for blind women in that city; and David Pfahler, who 
resides in Juniata County, Pennsylvania.
  The Rev. Matthew Frederick Pfahler was born in Wurtemberg, and 
accompanied his parents to America when a small boy.  He was graduated 
from the Gettysburg College and Theological School, and for over twenty 
years was pastor of the Lutheran church in Salisbury, Pa.  He was 
widely known throughout this locality as a ripe scholar, being 
considered an authority on Latin, Greek, and ecclesiastical subjects; 
and he served upon the board which examined applicants for the 
ministry.  He died February 13, 1890.  He married Henrietta, daughter 
of Conrad and Catherine (Kooser) Schultz, of Lavansville, this county.
  The Schultz family, which is of German origin, moved from Schuylkill 
County, Pennsylvania, to what is now Somerset County, in 1740; and the 
Koosers were originally from Scotland.  Some of the latter served in 
the Revolutionary War, and John H. Pfahler's maternal grandfather was a 
pack carrier between Carlisle and Fort Pitt.  The Rev. Matthew F. 
Pfahler was the father of four children, namely: Albert M., a lawyer, 
who died in 1879; David N., who resides in Meyersdale; John H., the 
subject of this sketch; and Mary, who is no longer living.  Albert M. 
Pfahler married Mary Yost, and left three children - Frederick, 
Herbert, and Ivy.
  John H. Pfahler began his studies in the public schools of Salisbury, 
later attended the Collegiate Institute at Selin's Grove and completed 
his studies at Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio.  After teaching 
school some ten terms, mostly in Somerset County, he entered mercantile 
business as a clerk for S. C. Hartley in Meyersdale, where he remained 
two years.  For the same length of time he was employed as a book-
keeper at Eureka Mills, Pa.  Returning to Meyersdale, he was for a 
while a member of the firm of Cook, Pfahler & Co., general merchants; 
then trading his interest for a farm and store in Deal, Pa., he resided 
there for the next two years.  Again taking up his residence in 
Meyersdale, he opened a grocery store, which has proved a profitable 
investment; and he is now one of the leading merchants of this locality 
in that line.
  In 1882 Mr. Pfahler was united in marriage with Almira Deal, daughter 
of Edwin and Nancy (Lepley) Deal, of this county.  She is one of a 
family of sixteen children, all of whom are living.  The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Pfahler are: Ralph, Carl, and Ida.
  Politically, Mr. Pfahler is a Republican, and has served upon the 
School Board.  He is a member and a Deacon of the Lutheran church.