BIO: D. K. NOELL, 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/
_______________________________________________ 

History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, historical editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
_______________________________________________ 

Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 37-38

D. K. NOELL, as the name implies, is of French descent, although his father, 
Jacob Noell, came to America from the east bank of the Rhine, to which his 
ancestors had fled from religious persecution in France.  There are several 
families of this name in York County, who are generally Catholics, while the 
family of D. K. Noell were Protestants.  His father, Jacob Noell, came to 
America in 1795, and located in York, Penn.  During the war of 1812, when the 
British menaced Baltimore, Jacob Noell joined Capt. Michael Spangler’s company 
of Independent York Volunteers, which marched to Baltimore, and was engaged in 
the battle of North Point, September 12, 1814.  Mr. Noell was seriously wounded 
in this battle by a musket-ball passing through his body from left to right, 
just below the nipples, and from the effects of which he died, leaving a widow 
and six children poor and helpless, indeed.  The children, as soon as they could 
do any work, were put out to earn their own living.  Daniel, the subject of this 
narrative, at the age of ten years was sent to the country, where, on a farm, 
without a trade or schooling, he grew to manhood as a common farm laborer.  The 
only books in the family in which he lived were the Bible, the almanac and an 
old geography.  These he studied so well and so often, as to become quite an 
adept in either.  In fact he got the Bible almost by heart, and learned to know 
every natural and political division, city, town, river, etc., on the globe, and 
the manners, customs, religion and government of all its inhabitants.  In 1838 
he found his way into the service of William R. Gorgas, in Cumberland County, 
Penn.  Here he found many books, especially the histories of men and nations, 
and being fond of reading he applied himself so diligently that in a short time 
he knew the histories and biographies of all the nations, and their founders.  
In fact he was seldom seen without a book, pamphlet or newspaper from which, 
during idle moments, he could gain some knowledge.  Happening one day to find 
and English grammar in Mr. Gorgas’ library, he asked permission to study it.  
This being granted, he soon made himself acquainted with that study, after which 
he applied himself to the study of arithmetic, geometry and algebra, in all of 
which, without a teacher, he became so proficient that, as a teacher, in which 
he is now engaged, he stool unexcelled.  Mr. Noell taught for twenty-two years 
in the same school-house, thus showing his ability and the high appreciation in 
which he was held by those whom he served.  In 1855 he was elected prothonotary, 
and in 1862 county superintendent of the schools of Cumberland County.  In 1845 
he married Anna Lukens, a graduate of the Harrisburg (Penn.) High School, who 
greatly aided him in his various pursuits of knowledge.  They have had seven 
children, only three of whom are now living.  ---- their four sons, all became 
naval officers or ---ts for naval service.  Cadet Engineer Michael D. Noell died 
from a fall on shipboard in 1878, aged nineteen years.  He was a bright and 
promising youth, accurate in mathematics and ready in all studies requiring deep 
thought.  Charles W. Noell, becoming tired of the sea, is now in the service of 
the Northern Central Railroad, while Jacob E. Noell, as lieutenant-commander, is 
now in charge at League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Penn.  He is quite an 
intelligent officer, having been in all parts of the world, from which, for 
twelve years, he sent very interesting and instructive letters, which were 
published in the York Democratic Press, and read with unusual interest by all 
parties.  York Noell is a lieutenant on the United States steamer “Swatara”, now 
in the Caribbean Sea.  Mr. Noell’s children were all born in Cumberland County, 
where he lived, taught school and was married.  But in 1871, after an absence of 
forty-one years, he moved back to York, his native town, after which he called 
one of his sons, thus showing that he never forgot the town that gave him birth.  
Thus D. K. Noell has made himself, without friend, school or even favorable 
circumstances, a man of worth, wealth and intelligence.  He never went to 
school, he never learned a trade, had no relations or friends in the world who 
would or could help him.  All he got of men he paid full value for by the sweat 
of his brow.  He honestly worked at all and everything that might offer, when he 
needed work.  Sometimes he was a miner, quarryman, well-digger, riverman, 
boatman, cooper, etc., but never without a book from which to study, and which, 
at last, brought him to teaching and a fortune.  In 1841, with a small slate and 
an arithmetic, he traveled 100 miles on foot, through snow, slush and ice, from 
Harrisburg to Wilkslane, Penn., and ciphered nearly all the way.  And in this 
way he mastered all the branches necessary to a good English education.  Being a 
man of perseverance and indomitable will, he always executed what he undertook.  
What a lesson this affords for young men!  What encouragement for effort, 
perseverance and sobriety!  What a strong proof of the fact that he who wills 
may conquer!