Jacob Dunkel

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]