Very interesting site. Check it out.
http://www.dieselduck.ca/library/other/prime_movers.htm1898 The first commercial Diesel engine is sold to Aktiengesellschaft Union, a matchmaking company in Kempten near Ausgburg, Germany. It is one of Lauster’s twin cylinder design. It is delivered in January and started up on March 5. After fifteen years it still ran perfectly, without any major repairs.