Tenth Generation

55. Rev. Philip L. HENKEL⁹ was born on 23 Sep 1779 in Pendleton County, Virginia and died on 9 Oct 1833 in Randolph County, North Carolina, aged 54, after short illness while on pastoral tour to churches in Guilford and Randolph Counties He preached his last sermon on September 21, 1833 in Richland Church, Randolph County. N.C. He was buried in Richland Church Cemetery, Randolph County, NC.

His obituary appeared as follows:¹⁰ "Before these Minutes could be put to press, the sad and heartbreaking news was received, that our much beloved brother and fellow-laborer, in the Lord's vineyard, the Rev. Philip Henkel, departed this life, October 9, 1833.
For the satisfaction of his friends and relatives, we subjoin the fol­lowing brief account:
The deceased was a son of the Rev. Paul Henkel, and a fellow-member of the Lutheran Tennessee Synod, of which he also was one of the first framers. He was born on the 23d September, 1779, in Pendle­ton County, Virginia.
In early life he imbibed the principles of the Christian religion, and in a short time became a zealous defender of the same. In 1800, he commenced his Gospel labors in the Lord's vineyard, in whose service he continued with undaunted zeal, for 38 years and 3 months, during which time he preached upwards of four thousand three hun­dred and fifty sermons, of which one hundred and twenty-five were funeral sermons. He baptized four thousand one hundred and fifteen infants, and three hundred and twenty-five adults ; and confirmed to the Christian Church one thousand six hundred and fifty persons.
At the present session of our Synod, we frequently had the pleasure of hearing him proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here he was also, (but alas, for the last time !) nominated President of our Synod. And after the close of the Synod, he proceeded, in good health, to visit the congregations in Guilford and the adjacent counties. After he had arrived in Randolph County, North Carolina, he preached in Richland Church, on September 21st, from Col. 3: 1-5. (His last sermon on this earthly stage !) Being invited by a neighboring friend, he retired to his house, where he was, at the same evening attacked with the bilious fever, to which, after a short illness, he fell a victim. He departed this life on Wednesday, the 9th of October, 1833. On the day following, he was buried at Richland Church.
His earthly abode was 54 years and 17 days. A short time before he expired, he said " If it is the will of the Lord, to take me to rest, I am willing." And then repeated the following lines (which also were the last words that were heard from his lips):
"Christ is my life alone,
To die for me is gain;
I give myself to be his own;
O may I ever be with him be."

Philip K. Henkel, second son of the Rev. Paul and Elizabeth (Negeley) Henkel; born Sept. 23, 1779, in Pendleton Co., Va. Married Catharine Rupert. Three sons are known, Rev. Eusebius, Rev. Irenaeus, and Ambrose Dedric; but records state that at his death he was survived by his wife and seven children. Licensed 1800 by Min. Of Pa., and ordained 1805 by N. C. Synod.
Churches served: Friedens-Lows, Guilford Co.-St. Paul, Alamance Co., 1800-05; as assistant to the aging Johann Gottfried Arends (Arndt) Emmanuel, Lincolnton-Daniels, Lincoln Co.-Grace-St. Paul, Catawba Co., 1805-07, and as pastor, 1808-14; also as Arends' assistant, Zion, Catawba Co., 1805-07, and as pastor, 1807-12; Bethel-Philadelphia, Gaston Co.-St. Luke, Lincoln Co., 1808-14; also St. John, Catawba Co. In late years of ministry apparently did mostly supply work, 1825-33, at Cobles, Guilford Co.; Mt. Pleasant, Alamance Co.; Mt. Moriah, Rowan Co., with other pastors, 1825, 1831-32, alone 1833; and Trinity, Vale, Pastor in Tenn. And did missinary work in other states, Secretary 1811, and president 1815, N. C. Synod. With other pastors, including his father and brother David, was an organizer of Tenn. Synod, 1820, in Solomons Church, Greene Co., Tenn., of which he was pastor at the time; secretary 1830, and was elected president one month before death. Died Oct. 9, 1833, aged 54, after short illness, while on pastoral tour to churches in Guilford and Randolph Cos., having preached last sermon Sept. 21, 1833 in Richland Church, Randolph Co., where he is buried. From his records his ministry of 33 years can be stated thus: More than 4,350 sermons preached, 125 at funerals, 4,115 baptisms of infants and 325 of adults, and 1,650 confirmations. ⁹

Rev. Philip L. HENKEL and Catherine RUPERT were married. Rev. Philip L. HENKEL and Catherine RUPERT had the following children: