~ Biographical Sketch ~

     Uriah Samuel Deahl was born on Friday, September 24, 1824 in Pennsylvania.^1,2

Uriah married Harriet Lenhart, daughter of Joseph Lenhart and Elizabeth Baughman, in Pennsylvania.³

According to the 1870 census, their son Theodore was their first child to be born in Iowa. Based on his birth date of March 28 1858, it can be safely assumed that in late 1855 or early 1856, Uriah and Harriet moved to Washington Township, Dubuque County, Iowa.² On December 20, 1857 Uriah and Harriet joined the Harmony United Reform Church by letter in Zwingle, Jackson County, Iowa.⁴

Uriah appeared in the Washington Township US census of August 23, 1860 as head of household. He was a farmer and his real estate was valued at $2000. His personal estate was valued at $620. He was 38 years old. His name as it was recorded was hard to decipher, but appeared to be Yorris Dehl.. The household also included Harriet, his wife. She was 29 years old. Their first four children were listed as Mary age eight, Geoff (George) age seven, Joseph and Theodore age five, and Samuel (Reuben) was six months old. A young servant girl named Clara M., apparently with the same last name, was also living with the family. She had been born in Pennsylvania.⁵

The August 11, 1870 census of Washington Township shows Uriah as head of household. He was 47 years old and was a farmer. He real estate was valued at $1500. His name was recorded as Urias Deahle. Both of his parents were of foreign birth.. Harriet was 37 years old and was keeping house. Her personal estate was valued at $4000. Eight of their children were living at home. George age16, Joseph age 16, Theodore age 14, Reuben age 12, Franklin age 9, Sarah age 6, Anne age 4, and Alzetta was one year old.²

Uriah appeared in the Washington Township census of June 2, 1880 as head of household. He was recorded as a white male 56 years of age. His occupation was farming. He had been born in Pennsylvania and so had his parents. The household also included Harriet, his wife. She was 51 years old and keeping house. She and her parents are recorded as having been born in Pennsylvania. Seven children were living with them; Theodore age 22, Reuben age 20, Franklin age 17, Sarah E. age 15, Anne age 13, Algetta M. age 11, Uriah S. age 8. Theodore and Franklin worked at home, Reuben worked as a carpenter, and the four younger children were in school. Five laborers are recorded in this household: James Cook age 19, born in Iowa; John Ryan age 24, born in Ireland; James Cambell age 17, born in Iowa; Michael Moris age 18, born in Belgium; and Don Keeney age 57, born in Switzerland.⁶

In 1881, his son, George, married Isa B..⁷

Uriah died on Saturday, January 26, 1884 in Iowa at age 59.³ He was laid to rest in the Harmony United Reform Church Cemetery in Zwingle, Jackson County, Iowa.¹

About 1885, his son, Reuben, married Ida M..⁸

About 1889, his daughter, Anne, married Mr. Overbuls.⁹

About 1890, his son, Theodore, married Manda.¹⁰