RALPH MENGEL

Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

p. 460

Ralph H. Mengel, senior member of the firm of Mengel & Mengel, who are extensively engaged in the real estate and insurance business, is a member of the third generation of his family identified with business and public affairs in Reading, and the Mengels have been settled in Berks county for over a century.

Nicholas Mengel, the first ancestor of the family in this country, was a native of Germany and came to America with two other young Germans, in the early part of the eighteenth century. Following a custom quite common in those days, and having no money to pay their passage, they were bound out upon their arrival here to defray the cost of their transportation, Nicholas Mengel becoming the servant of John Gernant, an agriculturist of Maiden-creek township, Philadelphia (now Berks) county, Pa. His term expired in three or four years, after which he continued with Mr. Gernant for some time, and being industrious and economical he not only paid his way but was enabled to accumulate a little. He finally purchased 300 acres of land in Maiden-creek township.

Peter Mengel, son of Nicholas, was born on the old homestead in Maiden-creek township. When he started life on his own account he moved to Fritztown, Berks county, where he ran a sawmill for some years, and in 1789 he moved to Caernarvon township, this county, where he purchased 300 acres of land and passed the remainder of his life, continuing to run a sawmill. His family was a numerous one.

Henry Mengel, son of Peter, was born in 1784, and was a lifelong farmer. He married Hannah Schoener, who was born in 1788, and they had the following named children: Matthias, Peter, Christiana, Hannah, Amelia and Eva Ann. The mother died in 1868.

Matthias Mengel was born Jan. 13, 1814, on the old Mengel homestead near Morgantown, in Caernarvon township. He received his early education in the subscription schools of the period, and being ambitious to add to his knowledge continued his studies in private, becoming unusually well informed. His father wanted him to enter the legal profession, but he himself had no leaning toward such work in his early life, and he was past twenty-four when, on Jan. 30, 1838, he entered the office of Elijah Dechert, Esq. as a student-at-law. He was admitted to the Bar of Berks county, April 9, 1840, and commencing practice in Reading gained a very large patronage in the city and vicinity, in the active prosecution of which he continued for the remarkably long period of over sixty years, and died Feb. 18, 1905. Mr. Mengel was active for many years in the municipal government, serving as alderman for, altogether, thirty and one-half years. He was first elected to that office in the year 1845, was re-elected for the two succeeding terms, and was chosen again in 1868 and for many terms thereafter. The length of his service is sufficient evidence regarding the value of his services. He served two years as water commissioner, being appointed to fill the unexpired term of George K. Levan, Esq., deceased, was treasurer of the city school board from 1862 to 1868, and served as a notary public from 1880 until he died. In political sentiment Matthias Mengel was a stanch Democrat, but he voted according to his own views of the fitness of the case when it came to electing local officers. Though always a hard worker Mr. Mengel retained his strength and energy to the last, and was active as many younger men. For many years he was one of the most prominent citizens of Reading, and he was popular with the public and respected by his friends and associates everywhere.

Matthias Mengel was twice married, first to Mary Ann Phipps, daughter of Jonathan Phipps, of Chester county. To that marriage were born two children, Henry and Jonathan P., both of whom are deceased. The mother of these died Aug. 19, 1860, and Mr. Mengel subsequently married Amelia M. Soder, who survives him. She also became the mother of two children: Matthias, a practising physician of Chester county, Pa.; and Levi W., Professor of Chemistry, in the Boys' high school, Reading.

Jonathan P. Mengel was born in Reading in 1849, and passed away at the early age of thirty, in 1879. He married Alice V. Hain, and they had three children: Ralph H., J. Hain, and a daughter that died in infancy. Mr. Mengel was a young man of admirable character, and his untimely demise was mourned by many outside of the immediate family circle.

Ralph H. Mengel was born Jan. 8, 1872, in Reading, and received his literary education in the public schools, graduating from high school in 1890. Having passed the preliminary examination for admission to the Bar he read law under the tutorship of Hon. H. Willis Bland, Esq., with whom he continued for one year, until Mr. Bland was appointed judge. He then read in the office of Cyrus G. Derr, and was admitted to the Bar Nov. 6, 1893, since which time he has been engaged in legal work in Reading. On Feb. 27, 1899, he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and on Dec. 2, 1902, he was admitted to the Superior court. Mr. Mengel, however, has not confined himself strictly to legal business, having made several successful ventures into other fields, in which he has found his professional knowledge invaluable.

In 1896, upon the death of their uncle, George P. Zieber, Mr. Mengel and his brother, J. Hain Mengel, purchased the real estate and insurance business formerly conducted by that gentleman at No. 60 South Sixth street. They organized for business under the style of Mengel & Mengel. In 1903 the firm purchased the old Times building, on North Sixth street, which they greatly remodeled, moving their offices to that location, where they have since remained. Their rooms are handsomely and conveniently equipped for the accommodation of their large patronage, the firm being one of the best known business concerns in the city. They have the largest business of the kind in Reading, and give employment to a large corps of clerks and assistants. Both members of the firm rank among the most progressive citizens of Reading, are members of the city Board of Trade, and are giving substantial aid toward making the city one of the foremost in the Commonwealth. The firm issue monthly a valuable business publication, Mengel's Real Estate Register, which has a wide distribution and is considered authority on real estate of Reading and Berks county. It is a thirty-two-page pamphlet.

In addition to the interests already mentioned, Mr. Mengel serves as a director of the Commercial Trust company, which he helped to establish, and is also its legal adviser. As may be judged from the important affairs entrusted to him, Mr. Mengel is one of the best known young business men of Reading, and he has won his way to the front rank of successful citizens by the exercise of a rare degree of tact and ability.

Mr. Mengel has numerous social connections, being a member of the Reading Alumni Association; the Americus Club; the Temple Club; Vigilance Lodge, No. 194, I. O. O. F.; Friendship Commandery, No. 247, A. and I. O. Knights of Malta; Washington Camp No. 417, P. O. S. of A.; Lodge No. 62 F. & A. M.; Reading Royal Arch Chapter, No. 152; De Molay Commandery, No. 9, K. T.; Philadelphia Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32nd degree; Reading Lodge of Perfection, 14th degree; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.

On Oct. 6, 1904, Mr. Mengel married Miss Deborah D. De Turck, a daughter of Lewis P. and Sarah P. (De Turck) De Turck, and they reside at No. 532 Walnut street, Reading.