BIO: Matthew STECKLEY, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 276.
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  STECKLEY, REV. MATTHEW, was born in Germany, September 15, 1836, son 
of the late Ansulmes and Juliama (Fresse) Steckley.  The parents were 
both natives of Germany and died in their native land.  The father was 
a cabinet maker by trade, and was three times married.  Matthew had but 
one brother.  He received his education in Germany, having attended 
school until he was fourteen years of age.  He came with some of his 
friends to this country, when he was eighteen years of age, and when 
nineteen years old began an apprenticeship at the trade of shoemaker 
with a man by the name of Bickel, on Walnut street in Harrisburg.  
After completing his apprenticeship he worked at his trade as a 
journeyman for Mr. Desh on Market street, for many years.  He 
subsequently bought the property of William Verbeke, No. 404 Broad 
street, now Verbeke street, where he was engaged in business for 
himself until the war broke out.  He enlisted in August, 1864, for ten 
months, in the Two Hundred and First regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, 
in company A, and having served his full time was discharged June 21, 
1865.  After his return from the army he resumed the shoe business, in 
which he continued up to the time of his death, July 14, 1892, at the 
age of fifty-five years.  His death was caused by swallowing a fragment 
of bone, which caused him four years of suffering - and which was 
finally removed after treatment at the hospital but not in time to save 
his life.  Mr. Steckley was a regularly ordained minister of the United 
Evangelical Church, and served in the sacred office in Harrisburg for 
thirty-six years, where he was highly honored as one of the leaders of 
God's people.  He had also been chaplain at the almshouse for about 
twenty years.  He served as school director in the city of Harrisburg 
for one term of three years.  In his political veins he was an ardent 
Republican.  He was a member of the Golden Eagles for four years, and 
was chaplain of his lodge.  Mr. Steckley was married, February 20, 1858 
to Miss Elizabeth Baker, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Sheets) 
Baker, to whom were born nine children:  Emma, wife of Edwin Zeagler; 
Edwin; Maggie, wife of John Lappley; Minnie, wife of William Brummel; 
Annie, wife of Charles Storer; Bertha, wife of Erwin Hershey; William, 
Warren and Paul.  The parents of Mrs. Steckley were both natives of 
Dauphin county, and both died in the county.  They had one child, 
Elizabeth, Mrs. Steckley.  The grandparents were also natives of 
Dauphin county.  Her grandfather was for many years engaged in the hat 
business.   Both grandparents died in Dauphin county.  William 
Steckley, son of Rev. Matthew Steckley, was born September 3, 1870, and 
was educated in the public schools.  He is at present managing his 
father's business and is recognized as one of the leading young 
business men of the city.