Person:Edwin Deal (2)

Edwin can be found in the following census:

1850 Greenville, Somerset, PA Federal Census 1860 Larimer, Somerset, PA Federal Census 1870 Greenville, Somerset, PA Federal Census 1880 Greenville, Somerset, PA Federal Census

From the "History of Bedford and Somerset Counties," 1906, pages 128 - 133:

   Edwin Deal, an honored and respected citizen of Meyersdale, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, who is now in his eighty-third year, is a remarkable example of good health, energy and mental faculties, well preserved by a life replete with usefullness and good will toward his fellow creatures. His pleasant face and cheery manner are known and have endeared him to young and old, and his numberless acts of charity and kindness are known to but few outside of the immediate family circle. He is descended from an old family of Virginia, whose thrift and industry bore their due share in building up the prosperty of the country.  Peter Deal, grandfather of Edwin Deal, was born in the state of Virginia. He was a clever millwright and an exceptionally skilled worker in woods. He built windmills of the old time wooden construction, cider presses, spinning wheels, looms and all kinds of wooden machinery. He removed to Greenville township, Pennsylvania, afater his marriage, and then added farming to his manifold occupations. A number of the grist mills in various parts of the county were of his construction. He married Margaret Stein and their children were: Peter, Jr.; Jacob, see forward; George; Joseph; Abraham; Eve, married Jacob Fair; and Hannah, married John Findley. Peter Deal died in 1828 at an advanced age.  Jacob Deal, second son and child of Peter and Margaret (Stein) Deal, was born near Sheppardstown, Virginia, September 17, 1790. He was about fiftenn years of age when his family removed to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and as he had inherited the mechanical skill of his father, it was but natual that he should adopt the same line of work. He was thrify and industrious and soon owned a farm of considerable extent, which he cleared and cultivated. He erected a sawmill on his land and in this the virgin forest was converted into lumber with a large amount of profit. He was a man of deep religious conviction, and he and all the members of his family were members of the Lutheran churh, of which he was a deacon and elder. His political support was given to the Democratic party, he being what was known as a "Jackson Democrat." He was active in his support of the party and held several political offices. His death occured November 4, 1869, and he and his wife are buried in the churchyard of the Union Lutheran and Reformed church, in Greenville township. He married Susanne Engle, who was born and raised at what is still called Engle's Mills, near Salisbury, Pennsylvania, August 18, 1794, died April 30, 1860. Their children, fifteen in number, were as follows: Mary, born May 3, 1813; Isaiah, January 22, 1815; Sally, September 11, 1816; Margaret, February 14, 1818; Jeremiah, July 8, 1820; Leah, December 3, 1821; Edwin see forward; Julia Ann, March 9, 1825, married Abraham Derrimore, of Iowa; Levi, December 1, 1826; Lucinda, March 13, 1829, married Alexander Delly, of Kansas; Joel, May 27, 1831, is a farmer in Montana; Hettie, June 30, 1832; Jacob, December 14, 1833; Harriet, December 31, 1835; and Lavina, January 12, 1838, married Alexander Lint, of Iowa.
   Edwin Deal, third son and seventh child of Jacob and Susann (Engle) Deal, was born on the farm of his father in Greenville township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1823. This farm adjoined that of his grandfather, Peter Deal, and it was here that all the children of this family were born. His education was as complete as the time and the schools of the district afforded, and at an early age he displayed marked aptitude in handling tools of all descriptions. Until he was twenty-one years of age his life was spent in assisting his father in clearing and cultivating the land in their possession, in attending to the sawmill and helping in the shop. By this time he had sequired (sic) great skill in his work and commenced the business of millwright and builder in his own right. He purchased a complete set of woodworking tools, fitted them with handles of his own manufacture, as was the custom of those days, and undertook his first contract. This was the building of a mill for Moses Yoder--the first overshot waterwheel mill in the township, all previously built having been of the under "flutter wheel" style. About 1850 he built for Daniel Lepley two mills--a sawmill and a gristmill--and these were considered models of their kind. After his marriage he became the manager of these mills and remained in this capacity for a number of years. Subsequently he bought the farm and mill properties in Larimer township, and later acquired other farm and timber lands until he owed about nine hundred acres, some of which is still in his possession. Mr. Deal resided on the farm he had acquired and personally conducted the mill operations until 1888, when he removed to Meyersdale, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. There he erected a gristmill and several dwelling houses, in one of which, an attractive brick residence on Center street, he now lives. He has practically retired from active participation in his business affairs, giving, however, considerable time to a general oversight of the various interests.  He has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran church, in which he was baptized at the age of eight days, and has consistently devoted much time and effort to the furtherance of the church interests. He has held various offices in the church, including those of deacon and elder in the county church, and since his residence in Meyersdale has served as elder continuously. Althought he would gladly resign this office, he has been earnestly solicited to continue his good work. His wife was and his children with their respective families are communicants at the same church.  Politically, Mr. Deal was for many years a staunch Democrat, but for the past seventeen years he has given his allegiance to the Prohibition Party as being more in accord with the principles to which he has adhered throughout his long and useful life. He has always been firm in his belief in total abstinence from all intoxicants and narcotics, and attributes his long life and excellent health to this cause. He has also served Larimer township as school director and as justice of the peace.   He married, February 7, 1850, Nancy Lepley, born February 8, 1832, died August 16, 1902, daughter of Daniel Lepley. Mrs. Deal was a woman of strong character and many excellent qualities. She was greatly beloved and esteeemed for her many charities and kindly disposition, and her death was deeply deplored. She and her husband led an exceptionally hapy married life for the period of fifty-two years.  They had a family of sixtenn children, all of who are now (1906) living: 1) Herman, born March 15, 1851, a merchant in Meyersdale; he married Agnes Bowman, daughter of Samuel Bowman, of Somerset county. 2) William H., born June 26, 1852, a coal and lumber operator, with mines and mills in West Virginia; married Alice Cook, a daughter of Jesse Cook, and their children are Roy, Earl, and Jessie. 3) Louisa, born April 3, 1854, married W. H. Reiber, a farmer of Somerset County, near Confluence, and their children are: Bertha, married William Burnworth, and has children: Ruth and Lucille (the first and only great-grandchildren of Edwin Deal); Art, and Pearl. 4) Matilda, born February 25, 1855, married J. M. Cook, a candy manufacturer of Meyersdale, and has one son, Dalton. 5) Daniel, born August 12, 1856, is in business in Cumberland, Maryland; he married Myrtle Feichner, daughter of Jacob Feichner, of Palo Alto, and has children: Nellie, Jacob, Ferdinand, and Helen.  6) Ezra, born September 17, 1857, is a coal operator in Ohio; he married Alice Smith, daughter of Robert Smith, of Cumberland, Maryland, and has children: Robert, George, and Mary. 7) Almira, born February 7, 1859, married J. H. Pfahler, a merchant of Meyersdale, and has children:: Ralph, Carl, and Ida. 8) Levi, see forward. 9) Charles, born September 21, 1861, is a lumberman in Colton, West Virginia; married Anna Griffith, daughter of John Griffith, of Frostburg, Maryland, and has three children, Homer, Walter, and an infant son. 10) Anna Elizabeth, born June 6, 1863; married E. J. Boyles, a merchant of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and has children: Ethel and Maria.11) Simon, born September 23, 1864, is engaged in the lumber business in Cumberland, Maryland; married Venie Clawson, daughter of George Clawson of Ellersely, Maryland, and has children: Mary, Edna, Anna, Frances, Gladys, Thomas, and Loydie. 12) Nancy Agnes, born March 26, 1866, is devoting her life to keeping up a comfortable home for her aged father. 13) Ida Ellen, born September 13, 1867, married E. E. Conrad, the leading photographer of Meyersdale, and has children: Esther, Lucille, Ellsworth, Mary, James, and John. 14) Clara, born July 3, 1870, married D. P. Ford, a coal operator; they reside in Madisonville, Kentucky, and have one child, Emily. 15) Calvin E., born March 29, 1872, owns and operates the grist and flour mill in Meyersdale; married Margaret Lenhardt, daughter of Samuel Lenhardt, of Somerset, and has children: Claude and Harry.  16) Harvey, born October 14, 1873, is engaged in business at Meyersdale, is unmarried and resides with hsi father and sister.
   Levi Deal, eighth child and fifth son of Edwin and Nancy (Lepley) Deal, was born at Deal post office, Somerset county, May 3, 1860. He obtained his education in the old log-house school, called Baker school, in Larimer township. He left the schoolroom at the age of eighteen, and for the succeding three years was engaged by his father in the saw, planing, and grist mill. He then turned his attention to the carpenter and millwright trade, in which he became proficient and at which he worked until 1886. He then decided to go in business for himself, and in the last named year he and his brother Herman embarked in the lumber business, conducting the establishment under the firm name of H. & L. Deal, at Deal's Mills, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Between the years 1886 and 1895 they had cut about eleven million feet of lumber. In 1895 Levi sold his interest ot his brother Herman and purchased a large tract of lumber land at Pinkerton, Pennsylvania, and continued his lumber operations there until 1898, when he formed a partnership with H. C. Huston, of that place. This arrangement existed until 1903, and during this period the firm cut seven million feet of lumber a year, besides two hundred thousand railroad ties, tanbark, and telegraph poles. In 1903 Mr. Deal sold his interest in the enterprise to Mr. H. M. Lytle, of Braddock Pennsylvania. He then took a much-needed vacation of about six months. When he again engaged in active pursuits Mr. Deal gave his attention exclusively to the coal industry. He is at present interested in various commerical enterprises, among them being the following: The Penn-Marva Coal Company, of Garrett, Pennsylvania, of which Mr. Deal is treasurer and general manager; the Erie Coal Comopany, of Meyersdale, of which he is vice-president and director. He is director in the Scott-Ogilvie Coal Company, which has recently been exchanged for real estate in Columbus, Ohio, valued at $50,000. He is a large stockholder in the following concerns: Livingood Coal and Coke Company, of Meyersdale; Littleton tract of coal land in Wetzel county, West Virginia; the Citizens' National Bank of Meyersdale, of which he is also a director; First National Bank of Garret, Pennsylvania; International Trust Company, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Economy Telegraphy Company, Somerset, Pennsylvania. He is vice-president of Bergholtz Mining Company, of Bergholtz, Ohio, which with his brother Ezra, he controls.    In his political relations Mr. Deal affiliated with the Democratic party, and is always ready and willing to lend his assistance to any enterprise tending to advance the interest of the party and the community. Fraternally he holds membership in the B. P. O. E. No. 175, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He is a member of Lutheran Church.  Levi Deal married, April 14, 1889, Margaret B. Scott, a daughter of David C. Scott, of New Centerville, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and they have the following children:   Leora M., born July 30, 1890; Edwin S., September 7, 1892; James M., September 24, 1893; Marian D., February 3, 1894, and Nancy Marie, March 15, 1895. Mr. Deal's residence on Meyers avenue, Meyersdale, built in 1900, is a beautiful stone structure with all modern ideas embodied to secure telling effect and comfortable living.
   **
   (I (Margaret W. Haberman), have seen photographs of this house and it is truly the most ugly, hidious Victorian house I have ever seen. Let's hope taste is not inherited, especially since my father was practically the spitting image of Levi Deal, his grandfather.)

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Obituary, Edwin Deal, Meyersdale Republican, January 19, 1911

   Edwin Deal's Long Life Ended   Sixteen Children See Their Aged Father Laid in His Grave
   For the second time within the short space of one year, death has compelled the oldest living man in Mayersdale to lay down his burden of years. When Maj. J. D. M. Armbrust died last summer at the age of 91, the gold-headed cane which had descended to him from the late A. Chamberlain, nine years previously, was passed on to Edwin Deal, who then gained the distinction of being the oldest man in Meyersdale. Mr. Deal, who at the time was aged 86, appeared so hale and hearty that it seemed probable that he would be the possessor of the souvenir for a good many years to come. But for only a little while it proved to be his staff and comforter.  Mr. Deal passed away rather unexpectedly at 1:10 o'clock last Monday at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 5 days. As late as last Saturday he was able to walk out, and he then paid his daily visit to his sick daughter, Mrs. J. M. Cook. On Sunday for the first time he failed to sit at the table with his family for his meals. He contracted bronchial pneumonia and failed rapidly. He appeared to realize that his end was near, and on Sunday afternoon requested that a minister be sent for to give him spiritual consolation.

Prepared for the End
   Rev. B. B. Collins of the Lutheran Church being otherwise engaged Sunday afternoon, Rev. Dr. Truxal of the Reformed church, a good friend and neighbor of Mr. Deal was called to administer to him. The old gentleman was pleased and grateful and wanted to knell and pray with Dr. Truxal, but the latter seeing his feeble condition prevailed upon him to remained seated while he (the minister) prayed God to be with him in his extremity.  Mr. Deal appeared to be much comforted by the religious service and on Sunday evening spoke his last words to one of his children, stating he was glad that everything was fixed for his children, that he knew he was consecrated to the Lord and was prepared to die. He lapsed into unconsciousness soon afterwards and remained so until death came Monday afternoon. His daughters, Mrs. Conrad, Mrs. Boyles, Mrs. Ford, Miss Agnes, and two of his sons, Daniel and Harry, were with him at the end.

Sixteen Children at Funeral

   Mr. Deal was the father of sixteen children, all by one wife, and all of whom survive him. All were at the funeral Wednesday afternoon. Six of the sons acted as pall-bearers, and the remaining two as flower-bearers. There were many beautiful floral tributes from the children and friends. He also left 45 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  The funeral took place at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, under the direction of Undertaker Clarke. The remains, encased in a very beautiful casket, were followed to Union cemetery where interment was made by the side of his wife, who preceded him to the grave over eight years ago. From the cemetery the mourning relatives and friends proceeded to the Lutheran church were appropriate funeral services were held by Rev. B. B. Collins, assisted by Rev. Dr. E. S. Johnston and Rev. L. P. Young of Salisbury, and Rev. Dr. Truxal of the Reformed church of Meyersdale. The services were largely attended by the townspeople and also by many of his old friends and neighbors from Greenville and Larimer townships.

An Eventful Career

   Edwin Deal, third son and seventh child of Jacob and Susanne (Engle) Deal, was born on the farm of his father in Greenville township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1823. This farm adjoined that of his grandfather, Peter Deal, and it was here that all of the children of this family were born. His education was complete as the time and the schools of the distrect afforded, and at an early age he displayed marked aptitude in handling tools of all descriptions. Until he was twenty-one years of age, his life was spent in assisting his father in clearing and cultivating the land in their possession, and in attending to the sawmill and helping in the shop. By this time Mr. Deal had acquired great skill in his work and commenced the business of millwright and builder in his own right. He purchased a complete set of woodworking tools, fitted them with handles of his own manufacture, as was the custom of those days, and undertook his first contract. This was the building of a mill for Moses Yoder--the first overshot water wheel in the township, all previously built having been of the under "flutter wheel" style. About 1850 he built for Daniel Lepley two mills--a sawmill and a gristmill--and these were considered models of their kind. After his marriage, he became the manager of these mills and remained in this capacity for a number of years.   Subsequently, Mr. Deal bought the farm and mill properties in Larimer township, and laater acquired other farm and timber lands until he owned about nine hundred acres. Mr. Deal resided on the farm he had acquired and personally conducted the mill operations until 1888, when he removed to Meyersdale. There he erected a gristmill and several dwelling houses, in one of which, an attractive brick residence on Center street, he passed his last years, after having retired from active participation his his business affairs.

An Exemplary Christian
   Mr. Deal was a life-long member of the Lutheran church, in which he was baptized at the age of eight days, and consistently devoted much time and effort to the furtherance of the church interests. He held various offices in the church, including those of deacon and elder in the country church, and during his residence in Meyersdale served as elder continuously. His children with their respective families are communicants in the same church, as was his wife during her life.  Politically Mr. Deal was for many years a staunch Democrat, but for the last twenty years he gave his allegiance to the Prohibition Party as being more in accord with the principles to which he adhered throughout his long and useful life. He has always been firm in the belief in total abstinence from all intoxicants and narcotics, and attributed his long life and excellent health to this cause. He served Larimer township as school director and as Justice of the Peace.

Led a Busy Life

   Mr. Deal's life was a most active one. He erected over 30 mills, using the overshot water wheels, built a number of barns and errected several houses. He father and granfather were millwrights and exceptionally skilled workers in wood. His grandfather, Peter Deal, built the Engle mill, near Salisbury, which is the oldest mill in Somerset county. For many years at every flag raising or barn raising in Greenville township, Mr. Deal was in charge of the work, and the same was largely true in adjoiining townships and part of Garrett county, Maryland. He built the Deal mill in this city and repaired the old Meyers mill a number of times.

Happy Domestic Relations

   February 7, 1850, Mr. Deal was united in marriage with Nancy Lepley. She was the daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Daniel Lepley and was born February 8, 1832, and died August 16, 1902. She was a woman of strong character and very many excellent qualities. Mrs. Deal was greatly beloved and esteemed for her many charities and kindly disposition and her death was deeply deplored. She and her husband led an exceptionally happy married life for the period of fifty-two years. They had a family of sixteen children, all of whom are now living. They are as follows: Herman, of Meyersdale; William H. of Meyersdale; Louisa (Reiber) of Confluence; Bertha (Burnworth); Matilda (Cook), of Meyersdale; Daniel, Cumberland; Ezra, Cumberland; Almira (Pfahler), Meyersdale; Levi, Grove City; Charles, West Virginia; Anna Elizabeth (Boyles), Pittsburg; Simon, Cumberland; Nancy Agnes, at home; Ida Ellen (Conrad), Meyersdale; Clara (Ford), Kentucky; Calvin, Meyersdale; Harvey, Meyersdale. Mr. Deal was a man of strong character and iron will. It was not until within the last year that his strong mentality began to fail him. His children noting that his senility might lead him to business indiscretions, last summer had the court appoint his son, Herman, as his guardian. This incensed the old gentleman very much at the time, but he came to realize the wisdom of it and before his death was entirely reconciled with his family.

Death of Edwin Deal