US Congressman. He was born one of seven children in Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania, to Dr. John Ahl and his wife Nancy Ellen Vaughn Ahl. He later moved with his family to Newville, Pennsylvania, in 1825. He was educated locally and attended public schools. He later taught school for several terms, also studied medicine, and eventually graduated with a Medical Degree (or M.D.) from the prestigious University of Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1832. He married Elizabeth Williams on April 22, 1845, and the couple would have eight children together. He and his family then moved to Centerville, Pennsylvania, where he practiced medicine until 1856. He also became involved in the real estate business, and bought and operated a paper mill in Newville, Pennsylvania, also in 1856. That same year he became involved in politics and served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention which was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. He then decided to run for a seat in the United States Congress and was elected. A Member of the Democratic Party, he served Pennsylvania's 16th District (Thirty-Fifth Congress) in the United States House of Representatives from 1857 to 1859. While serving in the United States Congress he had served on the Committee of Manufactures. He declined to be a Candidate for renomination to another term in office upon the completion of his first term in 1858. He was succeeded in office by United States Representative Benjamin Franklin Junkin on March 4, 1859. After leaving the United States Congress, he continued with his business endeavours including the manufacture of paper and operating an iron furnace business in Sharpsburg, Maryland. He also served as a surgeon in the Pennsylvania State Militia and was a projector and a major builder of the Harrisburg and Potomac Railroad. He passed away from complications related to pneumonia at his farm in Newville, Pennsylvania, on April 25, 1882, at the age of 78. He was buried in the Big Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Newville, Pennsylvania. His wife Elizabeth passed away some years after her husband and she was buried with him.