Vital Stats
Born: January 04, 1829 in Thulba Hammelburg Unter-Franken, Bavaria, Germany
Married: July 09, 1853 in Mt. Carmel, IL
Occupation: farmer
Died: August 08, 1902 in Mt. Carmel, Wabash Co., IL
Parents
Eva Elisabeth Schipper
Spouse
Children
Magdalena Helen Dunkel Keepes 1861-1951
Margaret Barbara Dunkel Schreiber 1863-1895
John Nicholas Dunkel 1868-1940
Michael Dunkel 1869-
George Adam Dunkel 1871-1929
Francis Edward Dunkel 1875-1957
Siblings
Elizabeth Dunkel Hockgeiger
Elizabeth Dunkel Kolb
pic above: Jacob Dunkel with Andrew & Margaret (Frederick) Wirth from familysearch.org
Records at St. Mary's Church in Mt. Carmel, IL show Jacob's name in 1853. Census records show he came to the US in 1852. Jacob was one of the earliest families (German Catholic) in Mt. Carmel and helped to build in the new Catholic church which was located at what is now East Second Street. The new church was dedicated in 1854. A story goes that during the Civil War, Jacob paid a black man to go to war for him; but the man took the money and ran off. Jacob then had to pay another one to fight in his place.
I have now heard that Jacob and four brothers (not his) came to America together. Since he was planning on marrying Barbara, he settled in Wabash County because his sister (Elizabeth Dunkel Kolb) was already here. The other brothers settled in Michigan, Colorado, Tennessee and Missouri. They left Germany because they didn't want to fight for Germany (draft dodgers).
NEWS ITEMS FROM THE "MT. CARMEL REGISTER":
4-15-1880 Jacob Dunkel had many visitors Sunday.
3-18-1883 Mrs. Wm. Davis, Sat., sold her farm to Mr. Jacob Dunkel for $2500 cash. The farm contains 80 acres with good buildings, orchard etc. It is well worth the money.
4-5-1883 Jacob Dunkel lost 12 sheep to dogs value $45.50. cost 2.50.
[above notes from: Brøderbund WFT Vol. 27, Ed. 1, Tree #0792, Date of Import: Aug 26, 1999]