Chris Markel
Chris Merkel, whose excellent farm of 127 acres is situated in Section 30, Warren Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, is one of the leading men of Warren Township, in which he has passed his whole life. He was born near Warrenton, January 18, 1861, and is a son of Henry and Mollie (Miller) Merkel.
Henry Merkel and wife were both born in Germany and were married there. After the birth of their first child they emigrated to America and settled first at Wheeling, W. Va., where Mr. Merkel found work in a mill. Later he came to Jefferson County and engaged as a farm hand with Mr. Kimble, in Warren Township and from there went to the P. Medill farm and before investing in any land for himself, rented the farm his son now owns for two years and later bought the property, then a tract of 136 acres, nine of these having subsequently been sold. Henry Merkle was a very industrious and careful business man and in the course of time he bought still another farm, of 250 acres, situated farther up the creek, in Warren Township. He died on that place when aged sixty-six years, his wife having passed away seventeen months and seventeen days before. They had nine children born to them, all of whom survive with one exception, Henry, who was the seventh in order of birth. The others are: August; Chris; Caroline, wife of Henry Shrickel; Mary, wife of Charles Gerke; Minnie, widow of John Zerger; and Charles, William and Albert.
Chris Merkel remained at home working for his father until he married and then purchased his present farm from the estate and has resided here ever since. He has done a great deal of improving, in fact has put up all of the substantial farm buildings and has made his property very attractive. He carries on general farming and as he thoroughly understands his business, finds the balance at the end of every year on the right side of the ledger. He is an intelligent, wide awake man and takes an active part in all matters pertaining to the public welfare of Warren Township and for a number of years has been kept almost continuously in public office by his fellow citizens. For seven years he served as township trustee, for three years as road supervisor and as school director and at present is a member of a very efficient board of turnpike commissioners. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party.
Mr. Merkel was married March 30, 1885, to Miss Minnie Gerke, a daughter of Henry Gerke, Sr., and they have had four children: Harry, who completed his education at the Normal College at Ada, O., and has been a teacher in the Warren Township schools since 1908; William, who died aged six months; Mayme, who attended Scio College, and has been a teacher in Warren Township since 1909; and Ora, who remains at home. The different members of this family are well known in this section and thev are held in esteem in all circles.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910