(Source: Biographical Review: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, Boston, Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1899, pps. 185, 186) http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/bedford/bios/biorev4.txt.

p. 185-186

Henry Diehl is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Colerain township, in Bedford County, Pa., and a member

of one of the earliest settled families of this county. He was born May 17, 1842, in Colerain, which was

likewise the place of birth of his father, the late Joseph H. Diehl. His paternal grandfather, John Diehl,

according to the genealogic table of the Diehl family, issued in 1891, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, in

1771, and came to Friend's Cove, Bedford County, Pa., a lad of thirteen, in 1784. John Diehl's father was

Samuel Diehl, who married a Miss Ritchey. Mr Henry Diehl is therefore a descendant in the fourth generation

from Samuel Diehl, the line being Samuel1, John2, Joseph H.3, and Henry4.

Joseph H. Diehl was brought up on a farm, and, following in the footsteps of his ancestors, made farming his

life work. He reclaimed a large part of his land from the wilderness, and in its care and cultivation took

great pleasure and pride from his early manhood until his death in March, 1895. He married Elizabeth Harclerode

of Colerain township. Six of their children survive, as follows: William M., of Monroe, Pa.; Henry, the special

subject of this sketch; Susanna, residing at Altoona, Pa., the widow of the late John Holterbaum; Mary E.,

widow of Henry Koontz, late of Colerain; Reuben, likewise of Colerain; and Sarah E., wife of Isaac Dibert, of

Colerain township.

Henry Diehl grew to manhood on the parental homestead. Although he attended the district school in his younger

days, his mental training has been in a large measure self-directed, as the schools of fifty years ago afforded

but scant educational priveleges compared with schools of the present day. In February, 1864, he enlisted in

Company D, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under General Butler, whose regiment was incorporated

as a part of the Twenty-fourth Army Corps, First Brigade and Third Division. With his comrades he participated

in the battles of Cold Harbor, Drury's Bluff, the Wilderness, the siege of Petersburg, and various other

engagements. The Third Division, to which his regiment belonged, was the first to surround General Lee at

Appomattox, where he surrendered. On being mustered out of service at the close of the war, Mr. Diehl returned

home, and has since devoted himself to the management of his farm. He has two hundred acres of land in his own

homestead property, on which he has made valuable improvements; and he is recognized as one of the skillful and

progressive farmers of the township. He also owns one-third interest in the old homestead. Politically, he

supports the principles of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Watson Post, G. A. R., of

Bedford, Pa., and of Rainsburg Lodge, I.O.O.F., in which he has passed all the chairs, and is now Past Master.

On December 20, 1866, Mr. Diehl married Susanna Weisel, daughter of the late John Weisel, of Bedford township,

Pa. They are the parents of six children, namely: Mary E., wife of John T. Shaffer, of Colerain township; David

W. W., of Colerain; Laura L., wife of Henry Grant Diehl, also of Colerain township; Joseph G.; Carrie A.; and

Reuben F. Mr. and Mrs. Diehl are both members of the Reformed church.