Cabell County, West Virginia Biography of Henry T. DIEHL ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Valerie Crook, , July 1999 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 165 HENRY T. DIEHL. To the upbuilding of so enterprising a city as Huntington large enterprises have contributed, and for their development and solidity men of clear intellect, steady purpose and personal integrity have been demanded. Not always have their names been heralded, but nevertheless it has been their ability and influence that have combosed one of the vital elements controlling policies and making for business prosperity. Among the institu- tions which occupy a very conspicuous position in the com- mercial life of Huntington is the department store of the McMahon-Diehl Company. The member of the firm con- trolling this big business venture is Henry T. Diehl, and very general is the recognition of his business sagacity, re- sourcefulness, foresight and wise judgment. Mr. Diehl was born at Huntington, West Virginia, De- cember 11, 1885, a son of Albert L. and Sophia (Gebhardt) Diehl. His grandfather, Louis Diehl, was born in 1808, in Germany, and as a young man immigrated to the United States and first settled at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where he was married. In 1858 he came to what is now Cabell County, West Virginia, where he became a pioneer farmer, and in 1872 became an early resident of Huntington, where he engaged in extensive mercantile operations. He took an active and constructive part in the development of the east part of Huntington, and was a man who was universally held in high esteem. A stanch republican, he was active in civic affairs, and when he died, in 1891, Huntington lost one who had done much for its welfare and progress. Mr. Diehl's wife, Rosa, was also born in Germany, in 1829, and was a young girl when brought to the United States by her parents, who settled in Pennsylvania, where she met and married Mr. Diehl. She died at Huntington in 1909, having been the mother of two daughters and four sons. Two children still survive: Albert L.; and Robert, who is a merchant of Dayton, Kentucky. Albert L. Diehl was born at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1852, and was about six years of age when brought by his parents to what is now Oabell County, West Virginia, where he was reared, educated and married. In 1872 he came to Huntington and found employment in a minor capacity with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company, with which line he has been identified for a half a century, being now foreman of the truck department. He is one of his company's most trusted employes and a'man of sound principles and enlightened views. In politics he is a re- publican, and his religious connection is with the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is an active supporter and regular attendant. Fraternally he belongs to Hunting- ton Lodge No. 64, I. O. O. F. Mr. Diehl married Miss Sophia Gebhardt, who was born in 1864, in Cabell County, and to this union there were born the following children: Ruby M., who is unmarried and resides with her parents; Henry T., of this notice; Edward H., of Huntington, one of the owners and operators of the firm of Carter & Turner, bicycle, motor cycle and sporting goods dealers of this city; Irvin B., of Huntington, an electrician at the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway shops, Huntington; William M., head book- keeper at the Huntington National Bank; and Vincent M., assistant secretary of the McMahon-Diehl Company, Hunt- ington. Henry T. Diehl attended the public schools of Huntington and then enrolled as a student at Marshall College, but did not complete the full course, dropping his studies in 1902, while in his junior year, to accept a position with the whole- sale grocery firm of Blake, Van Bibber & Company of Hunt- ington. After spending two years with this firm as a clerk he entered the First National Bank, where during six years he rose from draft clerk to the post of teller. Resigning in 1910, he entered the employ of the Licking River Lumber Company of Huntington, and spent one year as auditor at this city and one year in the same capacity at South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Diehl's next connection was with what is now the Croft-Standard Company, wholesale dry goods mer- chants of Huntington, with which he remained as assistant treasurer until 1915, when he joined J. R. McMahon in founding the McMahon-Diehl Company. In February, 1922, Mr. MeMahon, who was president of the organization from its incorporation, died of pneumonia at New York City, and in March, 1922, Mr. Diehl was chosen as president. This company started operation on the corner of Eighth Avenue and Twentieth Street, and in 1916 opened at 1017-19 Third Avenue. The Eighth Avenue store was sold in 1921 and at the same time a Tenth Street entrance was added to the Third Avenue store. Preparations are now under way to install this store in the new I. O. O. F. Building, work on which will be started at Huntington in March, 1924. This business has become one of the leaders in its line in the Tri-State region, and in the capacity of president Mr. Diehl has contributed materially to its success through his splendid business talents, energy and progressiveness. In politics Mr. Diehl is a republican, although he has not sought public office or preferment at the hands of his party. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Huntington, Huntington Lodge No. 313 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Guyan Country Club of Huntington, and is a member of the board of directors of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce. He is the owner of a modern residence at No. 1250 Fifth Avenue, a com- fortable and attractive home. On June 21, 1916, Mr. Diehl married at Morganfield, Kentucky, Miss Polly Richards, daughter of Phil and Eva (Cox) Richards, the latter of whom is a resident of Morgan- field, where the former, now deceased, was an extensive farmer, being one of the largest landholders in Union County. Mr. Diehl is a graduate of the Morganfield High School and attended Oxford (Ohio) College two years. Mr. and Mrs. Diehl have two children: Ruth, born April 17, 1917; and Polly, born May 8, 1921.