BIO: William MITZEL, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, historical editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 36

WILLIAM MITZEL, wholesale and retail dealer in groceries, fruits and 
confectioneries, was born in Chanceford Township, in 1822, and is the eldest of 
five children born to Philip and Lydia (Sailor) Mitzel.  His great-grandfather, 
Peter Mitzel, was born in Germany, and came to America previous to the 
Revolutionary war, in which he was a soldier.  The grandfather of our subject 
was Michael Mitzel, who was born in Codorus Township in 1777, and who died in 
1845.  The father of our subject was born in Codorus Township in 1800, and his 
mother in Chanceford Township in 1805.  The latter is still living and is the 
only daughter of William Saylor.  Her mother was a Siechrist.  Both the Saylor 
and Siechrist families came from Germany in the early history of York County, 
and both have numerous descendants.  The early life of Mr. Mitzel was spent at 
Mitzel's Mills, now known as Felton Station, where he was educated at the 
private schools of Chanceford Township.  He served an apprenticeship at the 
miller's trade and in 1840 began general merchandising at Mitzel's Mills, where 
he remained four years, and then removed to Hopewell Township.  In 1856 he went 
to Stewartstown, and in 1864 came to York and engaged in his present business.  
The marriage of Mr. Mitzel took place in 1843, to Miss Keturah Sumwalt, a native 
of Baltimore, and daughter of Jacob and Dorcas Sumwalt, whose ancestors came 
from German and located at Baltimore prior to the Revolution.  Her grandfather, 
Adam Hendrix (formerly spelled Hendricks), was a descendant of the family of 
that name who settled in York County as early as, or prior to, 1720, and who 
were among the first English settlers west of the Susquehanna Rivers.  They have 
had three children, two now living: Francis A. and William A.  Mr. Mitzel is a 
Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk.  Mrs. Mitzel is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.