My Genealogy Hound

R. PETER STECKEL is one of the progressive and prominent business men of Allentown, and the interests with which he is connected add greatly to the prosperity and enterprise of the city. He was born in Catasauqua, Lehigh County, Pa., September 15, 1849, and is a son of Robert Steckel, a native of South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. The father was a farmer and followed that pursuit during the greater part of his life. In 1874, however, he abandoned agricultural pursuits and removed to Allentown, where he entered the hardware business, with which he was connected for several years as a member of the firm of M. S. Young & Co. His death occurred in September, 1886, in the sixty-third year of his age. He was a successful business man, and as the result of his sagacity and well directed efforts won a handsome competence. He was a prominent citizen, and in 1873-74 represented his district in the State Legislature, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. With Zion’s Reformed Church he held membership and to its support contributed liberally. He was one of the building committee at the time the present fine house of worship was erected. The best interests of the community ever found in him a friend, and at his death the county lost a valued citizen.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Hannah Frederick. She was also born in South Whitehall Township, and was a daughter of George Frederick, of Catasauqua. A devoted Christian lady, her life was full of good deeds, and all who knew her held her in the highest regard for her sterling worth and many excellences of character. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Peter Steckel, was also born in Lehigh County, and was one of the pioneer settlers of this section of the Keystone State.

Under the parental roof Mr. Steckel of this sketch was reared to manhood, received a good education, and was trained to habits of industry and enterprise. With the family he came to Allentown, and upon his father’s death succeeded to his interest in the hardware business as a member of the firm of M. S. Young & Co. For several years he carried on operations along that line, and the store received a liberal patronage, but on the 1st of June, 1893, he sold out. Since that time he has devoted the greater part of his attention to the banking business and to agricultural interests. He owns a most excellent farm of one hundred and sixty-one acres, under a high state of cultivation, and has it well stocked with a high grade of mules and cattle, making a specialty of the breeding of that stock. Upon his place is a fine barn, a good dwelling, all necessary outbuildings and the other improvements which are found upon a model farm of the nineteenth century. For the past five years Mr. Steckel has also been a Director in the Allentown National Bank. He is a man of good judgment, whose conclusions are the result of earnest and careful deliberation.

In 1874 Mr. Steckel was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca A., daughter of Charles Henneger, of South Whitehall. Their union has been blessed with one daughter, Esther A. Their home is a fine brick residence at No. 239 North Seventh Street, and in it hospitality reigns supreme. The parents are both members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, and in social circles they hold a prominent position. In his political views Mr. Steckel is a stanch Democrat. He has been a member of the Select Council for the past four years, as representative from the Fifth Ward, and his present term will not expire until 1896. He takes quite an active part in political affairs, and is a worthy exponent of the principles of Democracy. He is a careful business man, and the prosperity which has come to him is largely the reward of his own labors.