EPHRAIM MENGEL

Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

p. 1333

Ephraim Mengel, one of Maiden-creek township's most highly-esteemed citizens, who has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in this locality for many years, was born Feb. 2, 1838, on the old homestead in Maiden-creek township, son of Isaac and Susanna (Baver) Mengel.

Abraham Mengel, the grandfather of Ephraim, was a member of one of the oldest families of Berks county, as was his wife, whose maiden name was Magdalena DeWaldt. He died in middle life, while Mrs. Mengel survived him for a long period, and died at the age of eighty-two years. They had a family of eight children: Isaac, the father of Ephraim; William; Solomon; Abraham and Lazarus, who died young; Sarah, m. to Merkel Gideon; Lena, m. to David Unger; and Esther, m. to Daniel Becker.

Isaac Mengel was born Feb. 6, 1806 in Maiden-creek township, on the farm now owned by Ephraim, his son. He was a carpenter and builder by occupation, also following farming, and was one of the township's highly-esteemed citizens. Mr. Mengel was married to Susanna Baver, a descendant of the Greths, and five children were born to this union; Ephraim; Mary, unmarried; William, deceased , m. Anna Keim; Israel, is single; and Sarah m. Abraham Keim.

Ephraim Mengel was reared and educated on the homestead, and as a youth learned the trade of carpenter and builder, which he followed for some years, working for the Government in Virginia during 1864. On his return to Pennsylvania he continued in this occupation in Berks and Schuylkill counties, but subsequently came into possession of the old homestead, and has been operating it to the present time.

On Nov. 1, 1861, Mr. Mengel was married to Katie Moll, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Greenawaldt) Moll, and one child, Alvin, was born to this union. Mrs. Mengel died August 27, 1868, and Mr. Mengel was married (second) to Matilda Moll, a sister of his first wife. Three children were born to this union: Oscar Isaac, who married Lizzie Noll; John and Howard. Howard Mengel was a midshipman of the U. S. Navy for four years, during which time he went to nearly every point of interest in the world. Oct. 12, 1906, after receiving his honorable discharge from the navy, he started for home.

Mr. Mengel and family are members of Becker's St. Peter's Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has held a number of township offices, including school director, assessor, etc., but has never cared to become a politician.