HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA AND A GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IT’S FAMILIES

Page 115

MERKEL FAMILIES

In Macungie township, Lehigh county,Pennsylvania, two families of the name,Merckel, also spelled Merckell, Merkley,Merkle, Merkele, etc., had settled before the close of the middle of the eighteenth century.The first by the name to settle there was

(I) JOHANNES MERCKEL, whose nameappears among the signers-in 1750, of an articleof agreement between the Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed congregations of theZiegel church, which is located about two milesacross the Macungie township line in Weisenberg. His name also appears on the taxlist of Macungie of 1762 and 1781 ; and in theFederal Cen sus Report of 1790- I" the latter yearhe is recorded as the head of a family consistingof one son above 16, four sons under 16, and five females. Among his children were two sons:Peter and Christophel.

(II) Peter Merkel, supposed to have been a nativeof Germany, left that country with his parentswhen quite young. He married Christiana Weiss,and they lived for many years in the vicinity of Fogelsville, in Macungie township. They both liein the old cemetery at the Ziegel church. Theirfamily numbered five children: Peter (2) ; John,who lived in Weisenberg township, and whose only son was named Charles; Jacob, who also had a son Charles, lived near Kline's Corner, in Maxatawny township; Jonas, of Longswamptownship, whose children were: John,Willoughby and Mary; Daniel, also of Longswamp township. He was born Sept. 26,1789, died Aug. 21, 18791 aged 88 years, 10months and 26 days. His wife, Catharine Standt,was born in 1793 and died in 1861. They had three children: Nathan, Eliza and Hannah.(Ill) Peter Merkel (2), son of Peter, was born in Macungie, Lehigh county, Sept. 23, 1796. Hisoccupation was that of farming, which hefollowed all his life. A good farm of seventyacres lying on the line between Maxatawny andLongswamp townships, he kept undercultivation. Besides his farm work he took greatinterest in the affairs of 'the community, and was

Page 116

also active in the work of Ziegler church, being deacon and elder of that organization. Peter Merkel's wife was Catharine Walbert, daughter of John Walbert. She was born Sept. 14, 1801,and died March 27, 1865, aged sixty-three years,six months, thirteen days. He died two years later, on May 30th, at the age of seventy years,eight months, seven days. Both are buried at the Ziegler church. To Mr. and Mrs. Merkel seven children were born, four daughters and three sons: Hettie, died unmarried; Caroline, married David Ziegler; Eliza, married Isaac Mayer; Johna' resident of Maxatawny township, had children:Albert, William, Harvey, Cassie, Peter, and four who died in childhood; Mary, born Dec. 24.,18341 married Thomas Warmkessel; David, is referred to later; Henry, living near Cedarville,has six children living: Frank, Harry, Peter,Edwin, Eliza and Hettie.(IV) David Merkel, the seventh child of Peter(2), was born in Longswamp township, Berks•county, May 3, 1837' He was a saddler by trade,which he followed for four years near Tarmington. "In 1859 became an employee ofthe Catasauqua & Fogeisville Railroad, and after four years he was made section foreman, which position he served for-more than forty years,retiring two years before his death on Aug. 31,1903. In recognition of his faithfulness and many years of service the railroad company had•pensioned him. He was a member of Maxatawny Zion's Reformed church. 0n Oct. 5,1861, he married Sarah Matilda, •daughter of Peter Schwoyer, of Fritztown, Spring township.They became the parents of •eight children:Catharine, born Oct. 2, 1862, married FrankMoyer, of Hoffmansville, Pa.; George M„ born Feb. 3, 1864, is a farmer in Richmond township;Louisa R„ born Oct. 20, 1865, married Charles Levan, of Maxatawny; Anna Esther, born Nov.2, 1867, married Martin Good, of New York City; Laura E„ born Aug. 31, 1870, married James Guldin, a farmer of Maxatawny township;Robert W„ born 1874) died 1889; Lillie A., born June 28,1877. married John Kemp; Caroline,born 1883, died 1886. In the graveyard at Trexlertown is buried Maria Merckel, wife ofJohannes Merckel. She was borh Aug. 16, 1773,and died Jan. 16, 1822; and in the same place a reburied Ludwig MerckIcy and his wife Hannah,nee Wieand. He was born Dec. 16, 1806, died Oct. 22, 1855- She was born Oct. 22, 1814, died April 29, 1843.(II) Christophel Merkcl, son of Johannes, was born April 25, 1755- He was a farmer in Macungie township and there he died on July 19,1813, aged 58 years, 2 months and 23 days. On Feb. 2, 1779, he married Christiana Gackenbach,of Weisenberg township. They had one son and four daughters, namely: Catharine, married Peter Barr (The Black). Jacob. Magdalena, married Peter Barr (The Red). Maria, married Michael Peter. Salome, married John Kistler. The last will and testament of Christophel Merkel was made the 2ist day of January, 1809. Each of the four daughters received the sum of 450 pounds of money. Catharine, the wife of Peter Barr, haddied prior to the making of her father's will,therefore Mary and Judith Barr, her two daughters each was bequeathed the sum of 200 pounds.In the cemetery at Trexlertown, Pa., near the southwestern end of the old church building, is the grave of (1) LUDWIG MERCKELL, one ofthe pioneer settlers of that locality. The marbletombstone of this ancestor contains the followinginscription:

HierRuhenDie gebeine vonLUDWIG MERCKELLEr war gebohren den 17ten May 1723 i" Stein-bachin der Paltz und istGestorbenden 16 tenMay 1808 er hat gelebet85 Yahr. Sein leicht textIst 39 psalm 13 und 14Vers.

The number of children of the above' ancestor have not been definitely established, but in 1790)the first federal census records him as the father of two sons above sixteen, and two daughters.But some of the children had been married and had already established their own families.Among these was their- son, Abraham. In 1914.there are still fifteen of the name in Macungietownship, among whom are: Charles A., farmer;Eugene and George H„ both of Breinigsville;George M„ farmer at Wescoesville; Harry W„ of East Texas; Harvey W., farmer; and William M„of Fogeisville.The Macungie township tax list of 1762 contains the names of John Merkle and Ludwig Merklev;the tax list of 1781 has those of John Merckle,Stofel Merckle and Ludwig Meeckley; and the

Page 116
also active in the work of Ziegler church, being deacon and elder of that organization. Peter Merkel's wife was Catharine Walbert, daughterof John Walbert. She was born Sept. 14, 1801,and died March 27, 1865, aged sixty-three years,six months, thirteen days. He died two yearslater, on May 30th, at the age of seventy years,eight months, seven days. Both are buried at theZiegler church. To Mr. and Mrs. Merkel sevenchildren were born, four daughters and threesons: Hettie, died unmarried; Caroline, marriedDavid Ziegler; Eliza, married Isaac Mayer; Johna' resident of Maxatawny township, had children:Albert, William, Harvey, Cassie, Peter, and fourwho died in childhood; Mary, born Dec. 24.,18341 married Thomas Warmkessel; David, isreferred to later; Henry, living near Cedarville,has six children living: Frank, Harry, Peter,Edwin, Eliza and Hettie.(IV) David Merkel, the seventh child of Peter(2), was born in Longswamp township, Berks•county, May 3, 1837' He was a saddler by trade,which he followed for four years nearTarmington. "In 1859 became an employee ofthe Catasauqua & FogeIsville Railroad, and afterfour years he was made section foreman, whichposition he served for-more than forty years,retiring two years before his death on Aug. 31,1903. In recognition of his faithfulness and manyyears of service the railroad company had•pensioned him. He was a member ofMaxatawny Zion's Reformed church. 0n Oct. 5,1861, he married Sarah Matilda, •daughter ofPeter Schwoyer, of Fritztown, Spring township.They became the parents of •eight children:Catharine, born Oct. 2, 1862, married FrankMoyer, of Hoffmansville, Pa.; George M„ bornFeb. 3, 1864, is a farmer in Richmond township;Louisa R„ born Oct. 20, 1865, married CharlesLevan, of Maxatawny; Anna Esther, born Nov.2, 1867, married Martin Good, of New YorkCity; Laura E„ born Aug. 31, 1870, marriedJames Guldin, a farmer of Maxatawny township;Robert W„ born 1874) died 1889; Lillie A., bornJune 28,1877. married John Kemp; Caroline,born 1883, died 1886. In the graveyard atTrexlertown is buried Maria Merckel, wife ofJohannes Merckel. She was borh Aug. 16, 1773,and died Jan. 16, 1822; and in the same place areburied Ludwig MerckIcy and his wife Hannah,nee Wieand. He was born Dec. 16, 1806, diedOct. 22, 1855- She was born Oct. 22, 1814, diedApril 29, 1843.(II) Christophel Merkcl, son of Johannes, wasborn April 25, 1755- He was a farmer inMacungie township and there he died on July 19,1813, aged 58 years, 2 months and 23 days. OnFeb. 2, 1779, he married Christiana Gackenbach,of Weisenberg township. They had one son andfour daughters, namely: Catharine, married PeterBarr (The Black). Jacob. Magdalena, marriedPeter Barr (The Red). Maria, married MichaelPeter. Salome, married John Kistler. The last willand testament of Christophel Merkel was madethe2ist day of January, 1809. Each of the fourdaughters received the sum of 450 pounds ofmoney. Catharine, the wife of Peter Barr, haddied prior to the making of her father's will,therefore Mary and Judith Barr, her twodaughters each was bequeathed the sum of 200pounds.In the cemetery at Trexlertown, Pa., near thesouthwestern end of the old church building, isthe grave of (1) LUDWIG MERCKELL, one ofthe pioneer settlers of that locality. The marbletombstone of this ancestor contains the followinginscription:HierRuhenDie gebeine vonLUDWIG MERCKELLEr war gebohren den 17ten May 1723 i" Stein-bachin der Paltz und istGestorbenden 16 tenMay 1808 er hat gelebet85 Yahr. Sein leicht textIst 39 psalm 13 und 14Vers.The number of children of the above' ancestorhave not been definitely established, but in 1790)the first federal census records him as the fatherof two sons above sixteen, and two daughters.But some of the children had been married andhad already established their own families.Among these was their- son, Abraham. In 1914.there are still fifteen of the name in Macungietownship, among whom are: Charles A., farmer;Eugene and George H„ both of Breinigsville;George M„ farmer at Wescoesville; Harry W„ ofEast Texas; Harvey W., farmer; and William M„of Fogeisville.The Macungie township tax list of 1762 containsthe names of John Merkle and Ludwig Merklev;the tax list of 1781 has those of John Merckle,Stofel Merckle and Ludwig Meeckley; and the

Page 117

tax list in 1812 contains those of Jacob, Christian and Ludwig Merchall. These three doubtless,were of the second generation of these families.Johannes (John) Merckel had then died, so had Ludwig Merckel, whose inscription upon thetombstone records his death in 1808.(II) Abraham Merckel, son of Ludwig, the pioneer, was born about the year 1766. The Pennsylvania Archives, from 178510 1805,record him among the taxables of Macungie township, Lehigh county. In 1806, the name of Abraham Merckel appears among the assessed residents of Albany township, in Berks county.In the latter locality, Jacob Donat, his father-in-law, had previously settled. Merckel owned a farm there at what is now known as "Donat'sHill," near Wannamaker's, Pa., the farm is now owned by Jacob Schroeder. The elevation for many years was known as "Merckel's Hill."Abraham Merckel was a most industrious man.He stood six feet four inches in height, and was possessed of great physical strength and endurance. He was a wheelright by trade and also conducted his farm. He met a tragic end. During the summer of 1826 there was a drought in the upper end of Berks county. Water had become scarce on the southern side of the Blue mountains, while on the opposite side there was an abundance of rain and water. Therefore Abraham Merckel took his grain to a mill on the opposite side of the mountain, and on the return trip fell into the hands of a band of roughs, one of whom cruelly murdered him. On the slope of the mountain in West Penn township, Schuyikill county (on the road from Jacksonville to Tamaqua), which he had to pass, there was an old hostelry around which many stories of robbery, and even the murder of peddlers and cattle dealers centered. It was abandoned over thirty years ago, and only crumbling walls and an old well half filled with stones and rubbish mark the site of the once busy and widely known stopping place. While passing the hotel Mr. Merckel was requested to stop off,which he did. He found a number of men playing cards and also, undoubtedly, drinking. One of the card players, a man named Jacob Hawkenstein, commenced quarreling with Mr.Merckel, who told Hawkenstein it would be to his benefit to keep his peace. Hawkenstein, inconfab, with other men during that day, had made a threat that he would kill someone before the day was over. When Mr. Merckel was loosening his horse, which was tied to a tree neara fence, he was fatally stabbed with a knife by Hawkenstein, who had secreted himself behind the fence, and died of his wounds. Hawkenstein there after led a secluded and miserable existence among the rocks, dens and hollow trees of the Blue mountains, where he died alone and despised of all men. His skeleton was found more than a year after his death by a band of hunters. Mr. Merckel is buried at the New Bethel church in Albany township. He died in the late summer of 1826.Abraham Merckel married Susanna Donat, who was born Nov. 6, 1779) died Jan. 25, 1864, aged eighty-four years, two months, nineteen days.Her father was Jacob Donat. ( [See Donat Family.] Four children were born to them,namely: Abraham; Elizabeth, born March 24,1813, died unmarried, March 15, 1894, aged eighty years, eleven months, twenty-one days,and is buried at New Jerusalem church;Catharine, born Jan. 3, 1816, 'died unmarried,Nov. 20, 1879, aged sixty-three years, tenmonths, seventeen days, and is buried at NewJerusalem church; Joseph, who spelled his nameMarkley, married Esther Fisher, and lived in Reading until 1876, when he moved to St.Cloud, Minn. Elizabeth Merkel, daughter of the late Abraham Merckel, of Albany township,Berks county, petitioned the court as a minor above fourteen years of age, asking that John Shollenberger be appointed her guardian. HenryRuppert appeared as the friend of Catharine andJoseph Merkel, minor children of AbrahamMerckel, deceased. William Sweyer was appointed guardian for Catharine, and JohnShollenberger for Joseph.(HI) Abraham Merkel, eldest son of Abraham,was born in 1805 or 1806, and died in June,18491 aged about forty-three years. His death occurred in the hay field, from the effects of drinking too much cold spring water when overheated. He is buried at New Bethel church,in Albany township. He was a tall man over six feet, and was strong and an excellent worker.Abraham Merkel married Maria (Polly)Kroninger, who was born Sept. 8, 1808,' died Dec. 23, 1878, aged seventy years, three months fifteen days. Children as follows were born to their union: Anna, married John Cameron, of Sagon, Northumberland county, Pa.; Catharine,married Jonathan Machmer, who was noted as a singer, and they conducted the Upper Bern hotel for a number of years; Abraham, born Jan. 13,

Page 118

1832, died Feb. 14, 1908, married, in 1859, Leah Fillweiler (1835-1901), and they had a family of seven children: Sarah Jane, married Adam Befk,and died, leaving a son, William H., who has his home with his aunts, Louisa and Clara Merkel;Astor, married Ida Kline; Rosa Alice, married Francis Allsbach, deceased; Cordelia, married Alfred Allsbach, and died, leaving a daughter,Leah M.; Louisa P., a school teacher of Albany township; Clara, is unmarried and lives on the homestead with her sister Louisa; and John A.,married Emma E. Nester, and has two children:Elsie M., and Leah L.; Susanna, married Ferdinand Machmer, and later a Mr. Baum, of Hamburg; Aaron, married Valeria Miller andthey live at Conshohocken, Pa.; Caroline,married William Machmer, who met a tragic death in Michigan; Rebecca, married Michael Schaeffer, of Tower City, Pa.; Sarah, married James De Long, of Reading; James K„ is mentioned farther on. Caroline and Susanna both lived and died in Michigan.(IV) James K. Merkel was born in Albany township, Oct. 7, 184.7. He has followed the blacksmith's trade almost from the time he began work, having commenced to learn it when he was only eighteen years old, under his brother,Abraham, who at that time had a smithy in the village of Jacksonville, Lchigh county, Pa. In1867 Mr. Merkel came to Berne; in Upper Bern,now Tilden township, Berks county, where he was engaged at his trade in the employ of another brother, Aaron, who had a blacksmithshop in the village of Berne. In 1870, after several years' work in Mahanoy City and other places, he erected a shop of his own in the"Bockmohl" (a valley in the southern end ofwhat is now Tilden township, to which he hadcome about 1867) and there continued to work athis trade until the year 1900. At that time hemoved with his family to Conshohocken, at which place he remained for three years in the responsible position of boss blacksmith in the Alan Wood Iron Works. In the spring of 1903 Mr. Merkel removed with his family to the city of Reading, settling in his own home at No. 757 North Eighth street. Mr. Merkel owned a tract of good land, comprising twenty-four acres, nearBerne station, upon which he lived for twenty-five years. This farm he sold in 1914-James K. Merkel had been twice married. He married (first) Nov. 6, 1869, Sarah Schuman, a daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Zweitzig)Schuman. [See Schuman Family.] She was born Oct. 6, 1847, died in her fourth confinement, on NOV. 14, 1877, in her thirty-first year. She is buried at the St. Michael's church, in Tildentownship, Belts county. Their four children follow: i. J. Franklin, who taught school for fifteen years in Berks county; since 1904 is a railway mail clerk, residing in his own home in Allegheny, Pa. He is married and has three children. Mr. Merkel is a local minister and conducted a mission in Pittsburgh for several years. 2. Anthony 0., is a conductor on the P. &R. R. R. He is married to Ada Chamberlain, of Norristown. They reside at Rutherford Heights, a suburb of Harrisburg, Pa. 3. Ella V., is the wife of Reuben. Blatt, a plasterer residing at Reading,Pa. They have two children: Reuben, Jr., and Rachel. 4.. Sarah M„ is the wife of William J.Dietrich. [See Dietrich Family.] They reside at No. 242 North Sixth street, Allentown. They have four children, namely: Naomi E., Ruth E„William J„ Jr., and Esther Agnes. James-S Merkel married (second), in 18791 Emma L., a daughter of Percival and Susanna (Strasser)Keim, of Windsor township, Berks county. She was born June 28, 1858, died of cancer at their home, No. 757 North Eighth street, Reading, Pa., on Jan. 21, 1914 1 aged 55 years, 9 months, 20 days. She is buried on the Merkel plot on the cemetery adjoining Salem U.B. church, in Tilden township. They had ten children, namely:

1. John, died in infancy.
2. Cora L„ unmarried.
3. Clara A„ married Samuel Mengel. Issue:Mabel, James.
4. James D„ married l,illie Forney. Issue:Ardella.
5. Lizzie A., married Albert Kibler, Reading, Pa.
6. Mamie F., married Norman Smith, Harrisburg,Pa.
7. Howard, born Dec. 16, 1888, died Feb. 19,1890.
8. Abbie A., married Theodore Barthold,Reading, Pa.
9. Lillie L-, single.
10. George R., born Jan. 25, 1897, died Aug. 23,1897.

Mr. Merkel, since his residence at Reading, has been a member of St. Paul's United Evangelical church, earlier he had been a member of Salem U. B. church, near Berne, Pa. During his entire life he has been an industrious, faithful and conscientious citizen, and the evening of his life

he spends with his children and grandchildren,who hold him In sacred affection