Theodore Steckel, son of Aaron and Leah (Bachman) Steckel, was born Sept. 10, 1844, in Moore township. He was educated in the public schools of his time and in his leisure hours assisted his father on the farm. At an early age, he learned the carpenter trade and has since then followed this vocation, at Bethlehem and Allentown. He was for some years a contractor, and employed a large force of men. He was secretary of Moore township school board, of which he was a member, for eight years. In politics a Republican; and served as a delegate to county conventions. In religion, a member of the Baptist Church.

Theodore Steckel married in 1865, Lucy A. Fehnel, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Miller) Fehnel. They had eight children: (1) Mary; (2) Thomas, died young; (3) Ellen, (Mrs. John Grube) ; (4) Lewis P.; (5) Clara N. (Mrs. Edmond E. Knoll) ; (6) Amy, (Mrs. Edwin A. Miller; (7) and (8) Clyde E. and Claude U. Steckel.