Jacob H. Diehl

From History of Frederick County. p. 1159:

Jacob H. Diehl, one of the prominent residents of Johnsville District, spent his active years following agricultural pursuits. He was born a mile and a-half west of Johnsville on his father’s farm, known as “Secret Home.” August 7, 1856. He is a son of Moses and Catharine (Hyder) Diehl.

The great-grandfather of Jacob H. Diehl was John Diehl. He lived and died in Johnsville District, Frederick County, on the “Secret Home” farm. This property has been in the possession of the Diehl family for over a century.

Martin Diehl, son of John Diehl and grandfather of Jacob H. Diehl, spent his entire life on the family homestead. This farm was part of the original “Spring Garden” tract. The name of Mr. Diehl’s wife has not been ascertained. They were Dunkards in religion.

Moses Diehl, son of Martin Diehl, was born on the old Diehl estate. He was educated in the common schools. Reared in the usual life of a farmer’s boy, he followed farm work all his days, and died on the farm on which he passed his life. He was a member of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Diehl was married to Catharine Hyder, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Lightner) Hyder. She died March 15, 1909, aged eighty-five years, three months and two days. She was also connected with the German Baptist Church. There was issue of three children by this marriage: Sarah E., is the widow of John H. Saylor and resides on Beaver Dam; Mattie V., the wife of John Snyder, of Union Bridge, Md.; and Jacob H.

Jacob H. Diehl, son of Moses and Catharine (Hyder) Diehl, was sent to the public schools when he became seven years old. Until he was nineteen years of age he continued at school. During the summer months he was employed on the home farm. At his marriage, he assumed charge of the family estate, and continued to successfully cultivate this excellent tract until his retirement from active work in 1903. Since 1903 he has been engaged in raising fruit and keeping up repairs on the farm. Mr. Diehl is a progressive man and stands high in the community in which he resides. As an agriculturist, he was very successful, and an advocate of improved methods in his farm work. Politically, he is an adherent of the Republican party.

Mr. Diehl was married in December, 1878, to Ella Snook, of the neighborhood of Haugh’s Church, Woodsboro District. She is a daughter of William Snook. They are the parents of three children: Cora M., married William O. Repp, living on the home farm, by whom she has two children, Harold F. and Lenora; William Clarence, lives in Washington, D. C., and married Lena Metcalf, by whom he has one child; and John Henry, deceased. John Henry Diehl was employed in Mr. Rhodes Kemp’s grocery store, Frederick City, in 1909. The latter part of July he was taken ill with typhoid fever and removed to the Frederick Hospital, where he died August 4, 1909, aged 17 years, 2 months and 6 days.

Jacob H. Diehl became a member of the Dunkard Church, and for nine years has served in the capacity of a deacon. His wife is also affiliated with that body and they take an active part in all matters pertaining to the church.