HISTORY OF THE ENGLE FAMILY
IN AMERICA
Morris M. Engle
Many
years ago, there lived in the mountain fastnesses of the
Alps, in Switzerland, a sturdy peasant, with a loving
wife and six happy children. We seem to see the father
surrounded by his laughing children, returning from
his labor in the fields, at the close of day. The mother
has been busy preparing the frugal evening meal, lightly
hum-ming a song of Faith, Hope and Love, the while.
She has just seated herself by the open window, in
her favorite chair, and is watching the sunset glories
of the Alpine summer skies, awaiting the home coming of
husband and children. A well worn volume is lying open on her
lap, her finger still resting on the verse, "Ye must
be born again."
Father and children having
arrived, they are seated around the family board, to
partake of the simple meal. The family group as we picture them
are Ulrich Engel, and his devoted wife, Anna. The children are,
Hans, Ulrich, Christina Maria, and Barbara. It is the month of
August, 1752. Nature is pregnant with the fruits of the
earth, and a bounteous harvest has been gathered in
the commodious barn. Everything would seem to betoken
peace, plenty, and prosperity with a rich promise of
an abundance of golden Autumn fruits. Nor was Nature content
with lavishing her gifts upon these happy people in this way,
but God in His own way, had given them the evidence of the speedy
ripening of the fruit of love.
Some time before, the
followers of Menno Simon, had made a pilgrimage through
that region, preaching the gospel, as interpreted by that
teacher. Their doctrines made a deep impression on the minds of
Anna, and she in the sincerity of her soul, added works
to her faith, and the fruits of her devotion to the
truth as she espoused it, has been tasted by thousands
of grateful souls during the years which were to come.
It is to be sadly and
deeply deplored, that the laws which govern character
are so little understood, and when understood, are often basely
ignored. Man in his fallen nature, seeks only the pleasures
of the moment, but not so with Anna as we shall see.
It was about this time
that large numbers of Swiss people were immigrating
to America. The Country was full of glowing tales of golden
opportunities in that far off Asylum of the poor and oppressed
of all lands. Neighbor discussed with neighbor the
trials and hardships of the homeland, and the rigors of
Church and State, on the one hand, and the unlimited liberty
of the Western world on the other. Nor did the imagination
fail to play its part in these discussions. One by
one, neighbor after neighbor added conviction to reflection, and
announced a decision to leave the Fatherland, and seek their
for-tune in .the forests of the land of the Setting
Sun. Whatever others may have had to sacrifice, in
the way of leaving behind friends, kindred, house and
home, Ulrich Engel had, and added to these things were
some things from which some others were exempt. Anna, who had
adopted the Mennonite faith, having renounced the faith
of her childhood, was under strict surveillance of
the authorities of the Church, at the behest of the
government. This, and her delicate condition, were
some of the things that Ulrich Engel had to confront, from
which others were free. But God has a way of escape from
the Oppressor, for all of His Children, and in due
time He opened the way for Anna, and through her, for
all of her family.
Ulrich
Engel, though oppressed, was not a poor man, as poor men were
reckoned in his place and time. He had a comfortable home, and
was esteemed well-to-do. We can not learn that he was noted
for any unusual piety, such as his wife was noted for,
but we do know that he encouraged her in her religious
convictions in every way that he could. In his house
he had fixed a trap-door which opened into a secret
cellar, in which he concealed Anna, at such times when she
was in peril of arrest. He succeeded in preventing
her arrest in this way, for some time, but finally,
in and unguarded moment the officers surprised them,
and she was led away to a place, of confinement where she
enjoyed the liberty of the place, but was guarded: in such
a wag that she could not get away. The authorities
recognized her condition, and had compassion on her.
Instead of placing stern officers of the law over her,
as was the usual custom, they employed the services of
a nurse, and appointed her as guard. They knew that Anna’s
term was about full, and concluded to postpone her
trial until after her convalescence.
While these things were
taking place in the family of Ulrich Engel all was
bustle among his neighbors: getting ready for the long and perilous
journey across the great Atlantic Ocean. Men busied themselves making
great strong chests, shod with massive iron hinges and locks
and packing them with favorite wares and tools. The women were
occupied with looking after household and getting in readiness
such things as would add to th their households in
their unknown new home. In due time it was announced
to Ulrich Engel that a son was born to him, and that
mother and child were doing well. Anna‘s nurse was
exceedingly kind, and tender to her patient and charge.
Who can tell of the mental anxieties and sufferings,
tears and prayers of that devoted wife and mother,
during the period of her confinement? Isolated from
the caresses of a kind and sympathetic husband with friends
all around her preparing to take leave wondering what
their fate and hers will be. Then the well-being of husband
and children, at home – all these things were calculated
to disturb the rest and quiet so much needed by poor
Anna.
At this time, God opened
the way from an unexpected source. One day while talking
to her nurse a bout her troubles, the nurse told her that
if she were in Anna’s place she would go with the party
of immigrants just forming, to America.
Anna asked, "How
can I go? My baby is but two weeks old, and I'm kept under
watch – how shall I go?"
"Tomorrow morning,
when I am out sprinkling the linen," replied the
nurse, "pick up your child, and flee to your husband,
and then when the officers will ask for you, at the time
they have set for you, I will tell them that you fled with
the immigrant party for America. You will have plenty
of time to get ready to join the rest if you take my
advice.’" It is needless to say that Anna thanked
God with all her heart, for this plan of deliverance, and
more than that, she acted on the suggestion, and left the
place of her captivity, early in the morning.
The historian McCauley says, "They
who take no pride in the deeds of a remote ancestry,
will hardly be likely to accomplish anything worthy to be
remembered by a remote posterity."
Reprinted
from
History of the Engle Family in America: 1754-1927:
pp.11-14
Compiled, Arranged, Indexed and Published
by Morris M. Engle, Historian
Hummelstown, PA
(no date)
©
EngleFamily.Net, 2001
