Person Sheet
NameReuben Peter Steckel
Birth22 Jan 1837, S. Whitehall Twp., Lehigh Co., PA
Death10 May 1913, Allentown, PA
FatherPeter Steckel (1792-1849)
MotherEsther Burkhalter (1801-1891)
Misc. Notes
REUBEN PETER STECKEL, a retired hardware merchant of Allentown, although still financially interested in the business of M. S. Young & Company was born in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, and is the youngest son in a family of four children born unto Peter and Esther (Burkhalter) Steckel. His paternal grandfather was John Steckel, and his maternal grandfather Henry Burkhalter. The latter married a Miss Beiry.
In early life Reuben P. Steckel attended the public schools, and assisted his father in the work of the home farm. Later he enjoyed the privilege of attending the Allentown Academy, and on completing his education entered the hardware store of Barber & Young in order to learn the business. His adaptability for mercantile life was soon manifest. He continued to act as a salesman until 1860, when he was given an interest in the business, and since that time he has been a partner in the firm of M. S. Young & Company, now controlling an extensive hardware trade, the store being one of the largest in the Lehigh Valley. Mr. Steckel continued in the active management for many years, and his wise business judgment proved a valued factor in the control of the enterprise, but in recent years he has lived retired, although he retains a financial interest in the business. For two years he was a director in the Lehigh Valley Trust Company.
In 1862, when the emergency call was issued to protect the state against the invasion of the southern army, Mr. Steckel enlisted in the Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, and went to Hagerstown, Maryland, where the command was stationed at the time the battle of Antietam occurred, awaiting the call into action if needed. After the close of that engagement they were sent back to Pennsylvania, having been absent from home for twelve days. Mr. Steckel has long been a stanch Republican, and in matters of citizenship is public-spirited and progressive. He and his family are members of the Reformed church.
He married A. Maria Deifenderfer, a daughter of Owen and Pauline (Frederick) Diefenderfer, and they have one child, Anna Esther Steckel.
Further Bio in
In early life Reuben P. Steckel attended the public schools, and assisted his father in the work of the home farm. Later he enjoyed the privilege of attending the Allentown Academy, and on completing his education entered the hardware store of Barber & Young in order to learn the business. His adaptability for mercantile life was soon manifest. He continued to act as a salesman until 1860, when he was given an interest in the business, and since that time he has been a partner in the firm of M. S. Young & Company, now controlling an extensive hardware trade, the store being one of the largest in the Lehigh Valley. Mr. Steckel continued in the active management for many years, and his wise business judgment proved a valued factor in the control of the enterprise, but in recent years he has lived retired, although he retains a financial interest in the business. For two years he was a director in the Lehigh Valley Trust Company.
In 1862, when the emergency call was issued to protect the state against the invasion of the southern army, Mr. Steckel enlisted in the Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, and went to Hagerstown, Maryland, where the command was stationed at the time the battle of Antietam occurred, awaiting the call into action if needed. After the close of that engagement they were sent back to Pennsylvania, having been absent from home for twelve days. Mr. Steckel has long been a stanch Republican, and in matters of citizenship is public-spirited and progressive. He and his family are members of the Reformed church.
He married A. Maria Deifenderfer, a daughter of Owen and Pauline (Frederick) Diefenderfer, and they have one child, Anna Esther Steckel.
Further Bio in
Spouses
1Maria Deifenderfer
FatherOwen S. Diefenderfer (1827-1904)
MotherPauline Frederick (1828-1906)
ChildrenAnna Esther