SOLOMON MENGEL

Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

p. 968

Solomon Mengel, for many years a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Reading, was born in Maiden-creek township, Berks county, Feb. 8, 1812, son of Abraham and Magdeline (Dewald) Mengel.

Nicholas Mengel, the grandfather of Solomon, was born in Germany, and was the first of the family to come to America,making the voyage with three other young men. He was a redemptioner, and was bound out to a Mr. Gernand, a farmer of Maiden-creek township, to pay his passage. By industry and frugality he became the owner of 300 acres of land in the same township. After the death of Nicholas, Abraham Mengel took the farm of his father and it has remained in the family to the present time, now being operated by Ephraim Mengel, great -grandson of Nicholas. Abraham Mengel and his wife were the parents of the following children: Isaac, Sarah, Lena, William, Esther, Mary, Lazarus, Absalom, Solomon.

Solomon Mengel was thirteen years of age when his father died, and at this time he located in reading to learn the trade of tin and coppersmith, later being in partnership with Mr. Shenfelter, a connection which continued until Mr. Mengel's retirement, when he gave the business over to his sons. He died in 1873, and his wife, who had been Catherine Burns, in 1901. They were the parents of the following children: Margaretta m. Asaph Prutzman; Emma died Dec. 25, 1908; Amelia L. m. Benjamin Parvin, and died Dec. 10, 1905; Milton L. m. Emily Homan; William J. Died single; Mary is deceased; James m. Emily Madeira; Charles S. m. Millicent Booth; Howard B. And K. Laura.

In religious belief the family are connected with the Lutheran faith. Politically Mr. Mengel was formerly a Democrat, but at the time of Lincoln's administration became connected with the Republican party, which he stanchly supported throughout the remainder of his life, although he, himself, never sought office. He was a good citizen, a kind and indulgent father and a Christian citizen, and in his death Reading lost one whose place will be hard to fill.