MERTEL BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== MERTEL, Charles H. - b: 1852 Prussia source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 737 residence: Davis Twp Charles H. Mertel is a native of Prussia, where he was born October 25, 1852, being the youngest of three brothers, Edward and Frederick now living in Illinois. His parents, Frederick and Natalea (Witchel) Mertel, were also born in Prussia. When but four years old Charles was brought to Missouri, and after a short residence here went to Keokuk, Iowa, and in 1859 to St. Charles County, Missouri. There his father served in the militia during the war. In 1868 he came to Johnson County, and in 1870 to Henry, locating where Charles is now living. The senior Mertel died at Warsaw, November 18, 1878, from the effect of a gunshot wound in the breast, received while on a hunting expedition in company with several gentlemen. It is unknown who fired the fatal shot, but it is supposed to have been some person hostile to the hunting party. The shot was fired through the tent at night while all inside were asleep. Mr. C. H. Mertel is one of the most progressive farmers of this neighborhood. His farm contains nearly 200 acres of excellent farming land, situated two miles north of LaDue. He was married February 22, 1877. to Miss Kate Cook, of this county, where she was born January 5, 1860, being a daughter of the late Jacob Cook. Two children have blessed this union, Anna Florence and Etna May. Mr. Mertel and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is Independent. (Archives by: Phyllis Hill, phill@redrock.net) ==================================================================== MERTEL, Charles H. - b: 1852 Saxony, Germany source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 378 residence: Davis Twp Charles H. Mertel, who for forty-five years has been a citizen of Henry County, a useful and successful citizen, whose geniality and public spiritedness is marked, is one of the best known of the "real old settlers" of the county. Mr. Mertel was born in Saxony, Germany, October 25, 1852, the son of Frederick and Natalia (Witchell) Mertel, natives of Saxony. The parents of Charles H. Mertel immigrated to America in 1856, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which required seven weeks to make the voyage to New Orleans. The family journeyed up the Mississippi from New Orleans to St. Louis, arriving there on New Years day just when navigation on the Mississippi closed for the winter. After a year's residence in St. Louis they removed to Iowa and lived there for two years, then, after a six months' stay in St. Louis, they located in St. Charles County, Missouri, and resided on a farm there during the Civil War period. In 1871 they located in Johnson County on Clear Fork. Two years later they came to Henry County and settled on section 14, Davis township. Mertel, Sr., was a great hunter and was constantly engaged in hunting expeditions during the deer season. In 1878 while he was absent on a deer hunt near Warsaw, Missouri, with others, he was shot and killed by natives who objected to the hunters being in the neighborhood. He was father of four children: The first born died in Saxony; Frederick W., is deceased; Edward L., deceased, and Charles, the subject of this review. When Charles H. Mertel attained the age of twenty-five years, he began his own career. After tilling his father's farm for one year, he obtained possession of the tract and built up the farm to a splendidly improved tract of 200 acres, rated as one of the finest improved farms in western Missouri. In the meantime, he purchased his present home farm in the northern part of Davis township and in 1902 he sold the old home place and located on the farm of 170 acres where he is now making his home. He has lived in this county for forty-five years, with the exception of three years, from 1911 to 1913, inclusive, which time he spent in Oklahoma. He was the prime promoter in the building of the town of Wynona on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad, situated between Parsons and Oklahoma City, and was town manager, filling the offices of mayor, justice of the peace and editor of the "Wynona Enterprise." Mr. Mertel is a Republican in politics. He is a member of Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church and is one of the best citizens of Henry County. He was married in 1876 to Miss Kate Cook, born at Cook's Mill, on Grand River in Henry County, a daughter of Jacob and Amelia Cook, the former of whom erected and operated the mill which bore his name. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mertel as follow: Annie Florence, wife of L. J. Hendricks, Davis township; Fred C., a banker at Minneapolis, Minnesota; Edna May, wife of W. F. Landrum, Monett, Missouri; Ella Augusta, wife of Newton Price, Walters, Oklahoma; Edward, manager of the Farmers Elevator at Plaza, North Dakota; Walter O., a farmer living near Quincy, Illinois; Ruth C., a teacher in the Monett Missouri, schools. Mr. and Mrs. Mertel have nine grandchildren. Best of all they have the extreme satisfaction of having educated each of their children and have given them a good start in life so that they are all well-to-do, and prosperous and occupy important places in the various communities in which they reside. When a wedded pair such as Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Mertel can look back over the long years spent in doing good, and are satisfied that they have done their best and have given to the Nation such a splendid family of sons and daughters, they can well be content, and their later years can be lived peacefully and without regret. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. 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