John H Wiehl Biographical Sketch

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

Hannah Firestone (1799-1887)

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John H. Wiehl biographical sketch, E. Polk Johnson, A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative ... (Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co., 19120, 1492; digital images, Hathi Trust.

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John H. Wiehl.— Among the energetic, prosperous and progressive citizens of Lexington is John H. Wiehl, who, as a furniture dealer and undertaker is carrying on a substantial business. A son of the late Hyacinthe Wiehl, he was born, July 3, 1830, at Zelienople, Butler county, Pennsylvania.

His great-grandfather Wiehl was a native of France. As a young man he served in the French Army, and for gallant service rendered was awarded, in 1711, a silver medal by the emperor. Subsequently going to Germany, he there married a young German girl, and continued a resident of the Fatherland the remainder of his life.

Hyacinthe Wiehl was born in Baden-Baden, Germany, and was there educated. Complet- ing his school life, he served an apprentice- shio at the cabinet maker's trade, after which, as is the custom in Germany, worked at his trade in different places, including Vienna. At the time he went to A'ienna Napoleon was en- route for that city with his army, and the em- peror of Austria offered all journeymen work- ers an opportunity to engage in business if they would enlist and assist in driving the in- vading army from the country. Enlisting, therefore, as a soldier, Hyacinthe Wiehl, a short time later, was captured by the French. Setting his wits to work, he soon made his es- cape, hazarding his life in the attempt, as he, unable to swim, was forced to cross the river by clinging to a log which he rolled into the water. Making his way in safety, however, to the opposite bank, he returned to his early home, where he soon persuaded a brother to start with him for America. At Havre the brother repented, and turned back. Hyacinthe took passage on a small sailing vessel, and after battling with the wild waves three weary months landed in Philadelphia, arriving in that city in 1817. He made his way via canal and stage to Pittsburg, then a village, from there pushing onward to Zelienople, Butler county. At once engaging in the manufacture and sale of furniture, he was there a resident until his death, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.

The maiden name of the wife of Hyacinthe Wiehl was Hannah Firestone. She was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and died at her home in Pennsylvania, aged eighty-eight years. Her father, Matthias Firestone, was born in Maryland, of German ancestry. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, afterwards moving to Ohio, and becoming a pioneer settler of Columbiana county, where he spent his remaining days. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hyacinthe Wiehl, namely : Mary Louise, Daniel, William, Sarah, Joseph, John H., Sidney, Henry, and Fred.

At the age of seventeen years, having acquired a practical education in the public schools of his native village, John H. Wiehl went to Pittsburg, where he served an apprenticeship at the cabinet maker's trade. Coming to Lexington, Kentucky, in 1851, he worked here as a journeyman three years, after which he was in business in Danville, Boyle county, eight years. Returning then to Lexington. Mr. Wiehl has since been actively engaged in business as a furniture dealer and undertaker, having by his honest, upright dealings, won an extensive patronage, and gained in a marked measure the esteem and respect of his fellowmen.

Mr. Wiehl married, in 1854, Jane H. Ryerson, who was born in Paterson, N. J., a daughter of John and Hannah (Van Geison) Ryer- son. Mr. and Mrs. Wiehl are the parents of two children, namely : Fred, associated in business with his father, married Catherine ------ and Luella, wife of Thomas H. Cook. Mr. and Mrs. Wiehl are sincere, earnest Christians, and faithful members of the Pres- byterian church. Mr. Wiehl has been a Demo- crat all his life though he never aspired to political office.