My Genealogy Hound

MICHAEL J. MEIXELL. To his skill in handicraft, his thorough knowledge of materials, and their mode of usage best adapted to various kinds of buildings, Mr. Meixell adds the personal qualities which win the respect and friendship of those with whom he associates. He is at the present time occupying a comfortable residence at No. 133 South Fifth Street, Allentown.

Our subject was born in Strasburg, Monroe County, this state, August 26, 1842, and is the son of Michael J. and Mary M. (Phillips) Meixell, the former of whom was born in Easton, Northampton County, this state, and removed to Monroe County in 1822. The Meixell family came from Scotland and were among the early settlers of Belvidere, N. J.

Michael, of this sketch, spent his boyhood in his native place, where he was given the advantages of a common-school education. When attaining his seventeenth year he started out in the world for himself, his first employment being as an apprentice at the cabinet-maker’s trade. After being thus engaged for two and one-half years, young Meixell, in August, 1862, went to Wisconsin, where he remained for two years, in the mean time learning the trade of a carriage-maker. His next removal was to Ohio, where he stayed only a short time, and then went to Shenandoah City, Pa., making that place his home until May 25, 1866. That year Mr. Meixell took up his abode in Slatington, Lehigh County, this state, where he was employed in following his trade until April 3, 1871, the date of his advent into Allentown. Since locating here he has been engaged in contracting and building, which line of work he has found to be very profitable. He has erected some of the finest business blocks and residences in the city, among which are the W. R. Lawfer Block, the residence of Adam Woolever, the Rube Building and that occupied by Samuel S. Kellar. Mr. Meixell is a stockholder in the Allentown Lock Works.

In political relations our subject is a stanch Democrat, and socially is a charter member of Slatington Lodge No. 624, I. O. O. F. He is also connected with Lehigh Lodge No. 83, of the same order, at Allentown, and is a member of Encampment No. 16, at Catasauqua. He has always taken a prominent part in local affairs, and in 1874 was elected on the Democratic ticket as Councilman of the Second Ward.

November 17, 1864, our subject and Miss Rachel, daughter of Charles Saylor, were united in marriage. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, a son, Edwin D., who was graduated from the Allentown High School in 1887. Having completed the course of study, he graduated from Muhlenberg College in the year 1891 with first honors. He is also a graduate of Franklin and Marshall Theological Seminary, and is now a minister at Pittsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Meixell are members in good standing of St. John’s Reformed Church, and are classed among the best resident of the city.