BIO: J. Harry DEIBLER, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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406  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  

  J. H. DEIBLER. Probably there is no other town in Centre county or, 
indeed, in any county, where the leading mercantile establishments are 
conducted by men so young in years as are those of Millheim, and 
foremost among this class of business men is the subject of this 
sketch, who controls the largest trade in general merchandise of any 
one in the place. Born March 25, 1865, his career may be said to be 
only at its beginning, yet he has already achieved a success such as 
most merchants gain by the work of a lifetime.
  Mr. Deibler is a native of Berrysburg, Dauphin Co., Penn., a son of 
John W. and Henrietta (Ubdegrave) Deibler, who are still living in that 
town, though advanced in years. Both were born in Schuylkill county, 
Penn. John W. Deibler began life as a poor man, and for some time was a 
huckster and farmer, but he has accumulated a handsome competence, and 
his old age is spent in comfort. Through going bail for others he has 
lost considerable money, but fortunately he has not suffered seriously. 
He is highly respected, and is one of the leading Republicans of his 
locality. Of his family of six sons and five daughters, all are living.
  The subject of our sketch began his education in the public schools 
of his native town, supplementing this instruction with a course at 
Berrysburg Seminary, an excellent institution from which a number of 
people have graduated who later became eminent in various callings. Mr. 
Deibler seems to have had a clear perception of his peculiar fitness 
for a mercantile career, as he began to prepare for it at an early age 
by taking employment as a clerk for Cornelius Swab, a general merchant 
at Berrysburg, at a salary of $9 per month, board not included. After 
six months in that place, he obtained a situation in the general store 
of J. B. Enders, where he remained three years.
  In 1883, Mr. Deibler went to Millheim to clerk for J. W. Snook, and 
during the eight years spent in that store, five different firms were 
in possession. As a clerk he formed an extensive acquaintance, and when 
he engaged in business for himself in 1891, he speedily established a 
fine custom. Courtesy, attention to business, and fair dealing with 
all, characterize his conduct, and his business has rapidly grown to be 
one of the most profitable in Penn's Valley. In addition to his 
mercantile business, Mr. Deibler is interested in several building and 
loan associations. As the architect of his own fortune, he has 
certainly made a phenomenal success which promises even better things 
for the future. On March 17, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Maggie H. Miller, a native of Centre Hall, a daughter of John H. 
Miller, now a leading resident of Williamsport. Mrs. Deibler is a 
member of the Lutheran Church, and is prominent in the best social 
circles of the locality.
  In politics Mr. Deibler is a republican, steadfast in the faith, and 
a regular voter, but he takes no share in partisan work, believing that 
either it or his business would be neglected if both were attempted. 
However devoted he may be to his private affairs, he is much too 
public-spirited to suppress his keen interest in all progressive 
movements, and he is a generous and prompt helper of any measure which 
promotes the common good.

1870 Berrysburg, Dauphin County census -
John W. Deibler, 36  
Henrietta Deibler, 30  
Sarah Jane Deibler, 7  
Harry Deibler, 5  
Charles Deibler, 3  
Harvey Deibler, 1  
Emma Deibler, 4/12