Tilghman H. Diehl, late of Allentown, was born
in Milford township, Bucks county. May 21, 1847, son of Samuel and
Elizabeth Diehl.
The elder Diehl moved from Quakertown to Seidersville in Bucks county and
from the latter place to Allentown in 1860 and opened up a general
merchandise store in which his son Tilghman clerked for 12 months. When he
was fourteen years old he entered the office of Rev. S. K. Brobst, there
engaged in printing church publications. In 1872 having proved himself a
valuable assistant he was admitted into the business, the firm operating
under the name of S. K. Brobst & Co., were located at No. 814 Hamilton
street. This connection lasted until 1876, when Mr. Brobst died. Mr. Diehl
managed the affairs of the concern with the widow of his former partner
for a year, when he found it to his advantage to go into business for
himself. He at once purchased the interest of Mrs. Brobst in the
establishment, and continued to act alone until Samuel A. Brobst, a son of
Mrs. Brobst became a member in 1877. In 1885, Mr. Diehl severed his
connection and became engaged in publishing on his own account the
"Lutheran Almana," acknowledged as an authority in that church all over
the country. It contained the names of all of the Lutheran clergy. He also
published the "Jugend Freund" and the "Lutheran Herald and Zeitschrift"
and other works.
He was active in Lutheran church work, having been a member of the
executive committee of the Lutheran Synod of PA, and was also a member of
the Board of Directors of the Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy. For a
number of terms, Mr. Diehl was a delegate to the supreme body of the
Lutheran Church in America.
After retiring from active business pursuits Mr. Diehl became agent for
the American School Furniture company, which position he filled at the
time of his death on May 10, 1913, in his 66th year. Mr. Diehl was a good
citizen. He was a scholar and stood firmly for advanced thought and the
best interests of his community.
He wrote a pamphlet entitled "Life and Reminiscences of Rev. S. K. Brobst."
He was a member of the Historical Society of Lehigh county.
He was married in 1873 to Rosina A., daughter of the late John R. Schall,
who survives and to them were born three sons and one daughter, all of
whom survive as follows: Edward S., John F., Samuel, Miss M. Caroline
Diehl. All of the children except Samuel reside at Allentown. There also
survive five children and one brother, Oliver Diehl, of Philadelphia, and
a sister, Mrs. Henry Hornbeck, of PA. Samuel Diehl, a native of Bucks
county, Pa. was a school teacher in early life, and afterward he followed
farming in connection with the cobbler trade until 1860, when he removed
to Allentown and was engaged in the mercantile business. He resided with
his family on Linden street. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, while
his wife, Elizabeth, nee Doll, was married November 23, 1845. She was born
November 5, 1824, and died on June 7, 1892. Her parents were Christian and
Mary (Rosenberger) Doll. They had the following children: Tilghman H.,
whose record follows; Mahlon, Leanna who married Henry J. Hornbeck,
Milton, and Dr. Oliver.
History of Lehigh
County, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its
families by Charles Rhoads Roberts, et.al, Allentown, 1914.
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