A few years ago we found a German hymnal at a local antique store. Inside was written “Henry Brell, 1897.”
After coming across the History of Schuylkill County, PA with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers (W.W. Munsell & Co., 1881), we ascertained that Mr. Brell was one of the first people born in Klein Township, which was originally part of Rush Township and was given its name to honor Jacob Klein, an associate judge in the county.
According to the book, the first marriages in Klein Township belonged to Casper Brell and John R. Sewell, in 1854 and 1859, respectively. Casper Brell was Henry’s father.
The book is available for free on Google, but does not offer any information beyond the year 1881. With that said, it’s been a wonderful resource for information on local history up to that point.
