Keppele, Henry, 1716-1797
Johann Heinrich Keppele was born August 1, 1716 in Treschklingen, in the Kraichgau region of the Grand Duchy of Württemberg. At the age of 22, he immigrated to Philadelphia where he became a prominent, respected, and successful butcher, innkeeper, merchant, ship owner, and real estate businessman. He served in the Pennsylvania Assembly for one term, was an Elder in Philadelphia’s St. Michael’s Lutheran congregation, and a founding member of the German Society of Pennsylvania. He was instrumental in getting the laws of indentured servitude changed, especially for German speakers, served as the lieutenant for the North Ward during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) though he never saw any combat. During the Revolutionary War, his participation was limited to investing in the newly chartered Bank of Pennsylvania. Henry Keppele married fellow German-speaking immigrant, Anna Maria Catherina Barbara Bauer (1725-1774) in January of 1741. Together, they had fifteen children, six of whom died in infancy or as young children. Henry Keppele never remarried after his wife’s death in 1774, though he lived another 23 years. He died on June 1, 1797 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.