Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 631 - 633 

CALVIN DIEHL, whose name stands prominently among the solid men and capitalists of Wichita, is largely interested in real-estate matters, and has one of the finest homes in the city, occupying No. 141 Lulu avenue. The dwelling is a beautiful and costly structure, surrounded by shade trees and fine shrubbery.

            Mr. Diehl came west of the Mississippi in 1877, and to Wichita in 1884. He was born in Adams County, Md., Nov. 11, 1836, the son of Daniel and Mary A. (Kohler) Diehl, who were born in the town of Little York, Pa. Daniel Diehl was a tanner by trade, and for many years carried on a tanyard, and also engaged in agriculture in Maryland, to which State he had removed when a young man. In 1852 he disposed of his interests East, and emigrated to Illinois, locating in Marshall County upon a tract of land from which he built up a fine farm, and where he spent the remainder of his days.

            Daniel Diehl, the father of our subject, was born Aug. 19, 1807, and departed this life on the 18th of March, 1867. The mother of our subject was born about 1807-08, and preceded her husband to the silent land seventeen years, her death taking place in 1850, at their home in Maryland. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Ezekiel, Alfred J., Calvin; Alice, Mrs. Brassfield; Mary, Mrs. Forney; Irene, Mrs. McKenney, and Martha F., who died in infancy. Calvin, of our sketch, the third son, like his brothers and sisters, was reared under the parental roof, where he remained until twenty-four years of age. Then being ready to establish a home of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Erwin, who was born in Butler County, Pa., Nov. 18, 1836.

            Mrs. Diehl is the daughter of John and Mary (Butts) Erwin, natives respectively of Butler and York Counties, Pa., and both born in 1794. Her grandparents on the father's side were Archibald and Elizabeth (Pride) Erwin. Her maternal grandfather was Henry Butts. The mother died at her home in Marshall County, on the 17th of December, 1873. John Erwin survived his wife nearly five years, and passed away on the 4th of June, 1878. Of the household circle, including seven children, but five are living, namely: Matilda, Mrs. Bracken; Maria, Mrs. Graham ; Robert S., Charles B., and Ellen, Mrs. Diehl. Mr. Erwin was the son of a farmer, and during his younger years also employed himself at this pursuit. Later he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed the remainder of his life. He was a good man and an esteemed citizen, and served in the War of 1812. The parents left Pennsylvania in 1854, and settled in Marshall County, Ill., where they spent their last years.

            The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Diehl took place at Henry, Marshall Co., Ill., and soon afterward they settled on a farm in Woodford County, where M. D. occupied himself three years. Then returning to Marshall County, they lived there on a farm two years, and Mr. D. employed himself at farming one year. In 1868 our subject leased 440 acres of land in Champaign County, where he labored diligently, breaking the sod, planting hedge fence, and improving it generally. Upon his removal from this farm, he located on a farm in Ford County,where they lived until 1877, whence they crossed the Mississippi into this State.

            Mr. Diehl upon his arrival in this county purchased 240 acres of land of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, in Kechi Township. They had made the journey from Illinois overland, with an outfit of two teams, and were twenty-four days on the road. Traveling after the manner of the early pioneers, they camped and cooked by the wayside, and after locating upon their unimproved farm lived for a time in their wagon. Their first dwelling was a "Kansas stable," in which they lived about two months until a more convenient dwelling could be erected.

            Upon this farm Mr. Diehl labored for a period of seven years, effecting many improvements, planting hedge, orchard and shade trees, and building up the most desirable homestead, upon which he lived until his removal to Wichita. With a portion of the proceeds of the sale of this property he purchased an acre of land on First street, where he built a residence, and then traded for property on Douglas avenue. There also he put up another residence which he occupied two and one-half years, then sold out and purchased the present beautiful home of the family.

            In 1886 Mr. Diehl pre-empted in Kiowa County, 160 acres of land, which he improved with a house and other necessary farm buildings, enclosed with good fencing, and cultivated the greater portion of the soil. Mr. D. gives his time and attention to his real-estate interests, and, the necessity for arduous labor having passed by, is taking life easy in the most sensible manner.

            To Mr. and Mrs. Diehl there have been born three children. Their eldest, a son, M. Ellsworth, studied for the ministry in the college at Evanston, Ill.; he is now preaching on the Conway Springs Circuit, in Sedgwick and Sumner Counties. He is a young man of great promise, and after leaving the district school entered the Normal School at Ft. Scott, from which he was graduated in June, 1886, after a two-years course. Upon going into Kiowa County with his father, he pre-empted a quarter-section of land, part of which he improved. While attending the Normal School he employed his vacations in teaching, and for a term of nine months was the assistant of Prof. Chidester, of the Oswego High School. In September, 1887, he entered Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, Ill. Miss Ada J. Diehl became the wife of T. N. Baker, now a resident of Wichita, and is the mother of two children -- Bertha E. and Bessie K. Charles E., the younger son of our subject, continues at home with his parents.

            Mr. Diehl, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, and with his wife and children, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiates as Class-Leader and Steward.

            As representative of the best people of Sedgwick County, we take pleasure in presenting the portraits of both Mr. and Mrs. Diehl, which we do in this connection.

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