Biegel Family, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Don Johnson & Sandra McLellan, Nov. 1999
Special thanks to Jim Perrin for donating it to the archives.

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HISTORIC PONCHATOULA
Influential early families

By JIM PERRIN
Special to The Times
(Part Three In A Series)
The Biegel Family

For over half a century the Biegel family played an important part in the
development of the town of Ponchatoula. Michael Biegel was born about 1825 in
Bavaria, Germany, came to Louisiana by 1852, and to Ponchatoula by 1857. He
married Catherine Hoffman, who was born about 1825 in Dormstadt, Germany.

Michael and his family purchased several lots in downtown Ponchatoula prior
to the Civil War. At the beginning of the war, there was talk of hanging
Michael because of suspected disloyalty to the Confederacy, but several local
citizens, including William Akers, spoke in Michael's behalf and he continued to 
reside in the community.

After the war, Michael was appointed postmaster of Ponchatoula, serving from
1866 to 1875. He also served on the Ponchatoula board of aldermen in 1872 &
1873. Besides serving as postmaster, Michael earned most of his income as a
shoemaker. Michael died Sept. 14, 1876 in New Orleans. Catherine was
appointed Ponchatoula's first postmistress in Oct. 1876, and served until
1878. She died Sept. 18, 1890.

Michael and Catherine Biegel had several children: George H., Eliza, Henry
H., Madelina, and Mary Biegel.

George Hoffman Biegel was born May 20, 1852 in New Orleans, and married
Caroline Heinrich Feb. 15, 1877 in Tangipahoa Parish. George served on the
Ponchatoula Board of Aldermen from 1874 to 1878, was the town assessor in
1881, and was also elected alderman in 1893, 1900, 1904, & 1909.

George and Caroline operated the Biegel Hotel, which was located in the
middle of the 100 block of Northwest Railroad Avenue, facing the train depot.
The date of the construction of this impressive hotel is uncertain, but the 
property where the hotel was located was purchased by Caroline in 1879, and 
several additional lots were purchased by George in 1887.  The hotel remained
a Ponchatoula landmark for about 40 years until it was destroyed in the early
1920's.  Somtime around the turn of the century the Biegels sold the hotel, and 
it thereafter went by various names, the Pelican House, the Oaks, and Hotel Alford.

George H. Biegel served as postmaster from 1881 to 1885, and Caroline served in
the same capacity from 1889 to 1893.  Since there was no post office building in 
Ponchatoula during the 19th Century, the post office was located in the Biegel Hotel, 
and at other times in the business location operated by the postmaster.

George and Caroline Biegel had several children: Michael Murray, Henrietta Ella, 
Georgianna Nellie, Irene Waldon, and George William Biegel.

During the fall of 1910, the Biegels left Ponchatoula and moved to New Orleans, 
ending a half century of active participation in town affairs.  Caroline died 
Oct. 10, 1920, and George died Jan. 2, 1924, and both were buried in the St. John's 
Lutheran Cemetery in New Orleans.

Anyone having information, photographs, or documents on the people, places and 
events that have shaped our community are invited to communicate with the 
author, Jim Perrin, at 14187 Randall Ave., Hammond, LA 70403