William Cornelius Reichel

Background

William Cornelius Reichel was born in Salem, North Carolina, the son of the Rev. Gotthold Benjamin and Henrietta Frederica (Vierling) Reichel. His ancestors were distinguished clergymen of the Lutheran Church until his grandfather, the Rev. Charles Gotthold Reichel, joined the Moravians at Herrnhut, Saxony.

Education

William received his early education at Nazareth Hall, of which his grandfather was the first principal, and then studied for the ministry in the Moravian College and Theological Seminary at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, receiving his bachelor's degree in theology in 1844.

Career

He taught drawing and Latin at Nazareth Hall from 1844 to 1852, and was then transferred for like duty to the Boy's School at Bethlehem. Four years later, 1858, he was made professor of classical languages at the Moravian College, serving until 1862, when he was put in charge of Linden Hall School for Girls at Lititz, Pennsylvania.

In 1870 he retired to Bethlehem to engage in historical research, though he continued to devote a few hours of each week to teaching drawing and water-color painting in the Bethlehem Seminary for Young Ladies.

He wrote in a graceful and picturesque style, and the historical work of the last years of his life derives much of its appeal from the vividness of its presentation.

Achievements

• Among his publications were A History of the Rise, Progress, and Present Condition of the Bethlehem Female Seminary (1858); A Memorial of the Dedication of Monuments to Mark the Sites of Ancient Missionary Stations in New York and Connecticut (1860); Historical Sketch of Nazareth Hall, from 1755 to 1869 (1869); Memorials of the Moravian Church (1870); A Red Rose from the Olden Time (1872); The Crown Inn near Bethlehem (1872); The Old Sun Inn at Bethlehem (1873); and an edition (1876), for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, of J. G. E. Heckewelder's History, Manners, and Customs of the Indian Nations.

Works

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  • Historical Sketch of Nazareth Hall, From 1755 to 1869: With an Account of the Reunions of Former Pupils and of the Inauguration of a Monument at ... of Alumni Who Fell in the Late Rebellion

    (Excerpt from Historical Sketch of Nazareth Hall, From 175...)

  • The Crown Inn, Near Bethlehem, Penna, 1745: A History, Touching the Events That Occurred at That Noble Hostelry, During the Reigns of the Second and Third Georges (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from The Crown Inn, Near Bethlehem, Penna, 1745: ...)

  • A History of the Rise, Progress, and Present Condition of the Bethlehem Female Seminary: With a Catalogue of Its Pupils, 1785-1858

    (This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for ki...)

  • A History of the Rise, Progress, and Present Condition of the Moravian Seminary for Young Ladies at Bethlehem, Pa: With a Catalogue of Its Pupils, 1785-1858

    (This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for ki...)

  • A history of the rise, progress, and present condition of the Bethlehem Female Seminary: With a catalogue of its pupils, 1785-1858

    (This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for ki...)

  • The Crown Inn, Near Bethlehem, Penna: 1745. A History, Touching the Events that Occurred at that Notable Hostelry, During the Reigns of the Second and ... Penn ... to Margaret and William Lowther...

    (This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for ki...)

  • A History Of The Moravian Seminary For Young Ladies At Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: With A Catalogue Of Its Pupils, 1785-1870 (1901)

    (This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)

  • A History Of The Rise, Progress And Present Condition Of The Bethlehem Female Seminary. With A Catalogue Of Its Pupils

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

  • A History of the Rise, Progress, and Present Condition of the Bethlehem Female Seminary: With a Catalogue of its Pupils, 1785-1858 (1858)

    (Originally published in 1858. This volume from the Cornel...)

Personality

In personal contacts he was timid and reserved, and to the casual acquaintance he seemed to lack force of character. To those who knew him, however, he was revealed as persistent and determined, with a wealth of sentiment and of scholarly attainments.

Connections

His first wife, Mary Jane Gray of Camden Valley, New York, whom he married in 1852, died at Lititz in May 1863, leaving two daughters; on October 27, 1867, he married Addie Harkins, who survived him.

Father:

Gotthold Benjamin Reichel

Mother:

Henrietta Frederica (Vierling) Reichel

Spouse:

Addie Harkins

Spouse:

Mary Jane Gray