Philipp Merkle
Encyclopedia
Philipp Merkle, also known as Philip Merkle and Philip Merkel, (born Frainshaims
, Rhineland-Palatinate
, Germany, March 20, 1811, died New York City
, May 5, 1899) was a prominent German-American Freethinker and preacher in New York in the nineteenth century who was active as a Masonic
leader and also co-founded two influential German-American fraternal societies, one of which became the largest such organization.
Merkle attended the University of Würzburg
to study medicine, but at his father's request transferred to the University of Heidelberg and studied theology. He was imprisoned for political activities in connection with the 1832 uprisings, but was released on appeal and graduated as a minister, second highest in his class. Unable to find an appointment because of his record, he emigrated to the United States
in 1833. He became pastor of the German Lutheran Church
in Newark, New Jersey
, then after a year started the German Universal Christian Church on Christie Street in New York. He was the minister there until 1857, when he was appointed Special Examiner of Drugs for New York State, then City Excise Commissioner, then elected City Coroner. He was active in Democratic
politics, for many years a member of the General Committee of Tammany Hall
, and one of the leaders of the successful defence against increasing Republican
influence in Little Germany in the 1856 and 1860 elections.
Merkel was a Freemason leader in the German-American community. After being initiated in 1844, he founded and headed two new lodges, in 1853 and 1857, and was made an honorary member of four others.
Before that, in 1847 he was the primary founder of the German Order of Harugari
, which became the largest German-American fraternal order. Merkle left his position as minister to concentrate on promoting Harugari, which he saw as a continuation of German workers' radicalism.
He also led the group that founded the Sons of Hermann
in 1840.
Freinsheim
Freinsheim is a town in the Bad Dürkheim district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. With about 5,000 inhabitants, it is among the state’s smaller towns...
, Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate is one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has an area of and about four million inhabitants. The capital is Mainz. English speakers also commonly refer to the state by its German name, Rheinland-Pfalz ....
, Germany, March 20, 1811, died New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, May 5, 1899) was a prominent German-American Freethinker and preacher in New York in the nineteenth century who was active as a Masonic
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
leader and also co-founded two influential German-American fraternal societies, one of which became the largest such organization.
Merkle attended the University of Würzburg
University of Würzburg
The University of Würzburg is a university in Würzburg, Germany, founded in 1402. The university is a member of the distinguished Coimbra Group.-Name:...
to study medicine, but at his father's request transferred to the University of Heidelberg and studied theology. He was imprisoned for political activities in connection with the 1832 uprisings, but was released on appeal and graduated as a minister, second highest in his class. Unable to find an appointment because of his record, he emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1833. He became pastor of the German Lutheran Church
St. John's Church (Newark, New Jersey)
St. John's Church is a historic Roman Catholic church at 22-26 Mulberry Street in Newark, New Jersey that is the third oldest Catholic church in the state....
in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, then after a year started the German Universal Christian Church on Christie Street in New York. He was the minister there until 1857, when he was appointed Special Examiner of Drugs for New York State, then City Excise Commissioner, then elected City Coroner. He was active in Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politics, for many years a member of the General Committee of Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
, and one of the leaders of the successful defence against increasing Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
influence in Little Germany in the 1856 and 1860 elections.
Merkel was a Freemason leader in the German-American community. After being initiated in 1844, he founded and headed two new lodges, in 1853 and 1857, and was made an honorary member of four others.
Before that, in 1847 he was the primary founder of the German Order of Harugari
German Order of Harugari
The German Order of Harugari, sometimes called the Ancient Order of Harugari or by its German name, Der Deutsche Orden der Harugari, is a mutual benefit and cultural association of German Americans founded in New York City in 1847 that was at one time the largest German secret society in the...
, which became the largest German-American fraternal order. Merkle left his position as minister to concentrate on promoting Harugari, which he saw as a continuation of German workers' radicalism.
He also led the group that founded the Sons of Hermann
Sons of Hermann
The Order of the Sons of Hermann, also known as Hermann Sons and by its German name as der Orden der Hermann's Soehne or Hermannssöhne, was formed as a mutual protection society for German immigrants in New York City on July 20, 1840....
in 1840.