William J. Markel

Regions: Schoharie Co., NY; Sharon, Walworth Co., WI

From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, Publ. 1912 - Page 906-907 WILLIAM J. MARKEL. Among the citizens of Sharon, Walworth county, who have had an interesting career and who are eminently entitled to mention in a work of this nature is William J. MARKEL, partly because he is one of our sterling pioneers who came here in the days when there was much work to be done before harvests could be gathered from the primeval soil, and partly because he was one of the brave boys of the Northland, who gave up the pleasures of home and business prospects and offered their services and lives if need be, to the government "in order that the nation, under God, might live," and whether in the heat of battle or in the serene duties of private citizens he has ever performed his task energetically and commendably. Mr. MARKEL was born on August 15, 1840, in Schoharie county, New York. He is the son of Peter and Catherine (TOTTEN) MARKEL, natives of the state of New York, where they grew up and married and made their home until 1844 when they emigrated to Sharon township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, and here bought a farm of twenty acres, a little later eighty acres, and on this he farmed the rest of his life, dying in 1903. His wife died at the age of seventy-one years. They were the parents of eight children, named as follows: William J., of this review; Charles, of Sharon; George, of Sharon; Oliver lives at Rockford, Illinois; David lives at Sharon; Gilbert is deceased; John is deceased; the youngest, a daughter, died in infancy. William J. MARKEL, of this sketch, received his education in the schools of Sharon and in Allen's Grove Academy. He began farming early in life and when the Civil war broke out he wanted to enlist, but it did not suit to do so before January 4, 1864, and he was mustered into service on the 12th of that month. He was not in any of the great battles, but was in a number of skirmishes. He enlisted for three years, but was discharged at the close of the war, at Nashville, Tennessee, May 23, 1865, having been a private in Company C, Thirteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. After his career in the army Mr. MARKEL returned to Walworth county and resumed farming which he continued successfully until 1905, when he sold out to his son George and retired from the active duties of life, moving to Sharon, where he now resides. Mr. MARKEL is a Republican, and he was treasurer in the town of Sharon for one term. He is a member of the Lutheran church. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, Duane Patent Post No. 270, of Sharon. On January 5, 1863, Mr. MARKEL was united in marriage with Lucinda TOTTEN, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (PERKINS) TOTTEN, natives of the state of New York, and to this union three children have been born, namely: Delbert, of Sharon; George, of Sharon township; Mrs. Cora May BOYCE, wife of Henry BOYCE, of Sharon. Submitted by Carol