Lenhardt Wetzel (abt. 1823 - 1888)

Born about 1823 in Germany

Descendants

Died 13 Mar 1888 at about age 65 in Shaler Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Biography

German records are those which must be perused for an account of the early generation of the family of Wetzel, this American line having been founded by Levi Wetzel, a native of Germany. He was reared and educated in the land of his birth, there serving an apprenticeship in the trade of stone mason, emigrating to the United States when a young man and settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He obtained employment at his trade, and there remained until about 1854, when he located in Shaler township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, becoming the owner of land near the present town of Glenshaw. On this property he conducted general farming and market gardening, adding to his possessions until, at his death, aged sixty-nine years, he held title to ninety-four acres of land in the township, divided into four tracts. His success in his agricultural operations was the fruit of industry and intelligent application of the lessons learned by experience, sometimes in disaster, oftener in fortune. He avoided none of the responsibilities of good citizenship, and through a life well ordered and usefully spent held the liking and regard of his neighbors. The property of which he was the owner was principally timber land when it came into his possession, and the task that he successfully completed in putting the greater part of it under cultivation was no easy one. He and his family were communicants of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Wetzel married Margaretta Milburt, born in Germany, her parents coming to the United States from the homeland. Children: 1. Margaret, deceased. 2. Carolina, deceased. 3. Mary, married a Mr. Kestler, and resides in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 4. Lena, married a Mr. Chisler, and lives in Shaler township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 5. Michael, deceased. 6. Levi, of whom further. 7. Adam, deceased. 8. George, deceased.

Sources

• Jordan, John W. Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania, Vol. 2 (Lewis Historical Pub. Co., New York, 1915, p. 777)

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123905542/leonard-wetzel: accessed 27 August 2022), memorial page for Leonard “Levi” Wetzel (1823–13 Mar 1888), Find a Grave Memorial ID 123905542, citing Saint Mary's Cemetery, Sharpsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Anne (contributor 47443609).