The Konkle Family Shield

The Top section is gold
The Middle section is sable
The Lion is silver
The Bottom Section is green

Konkle Family History

The objective of this page is to give and exchange information concerning the Konkle lineage. As far as we know, our strain of Konkle has roots going back to Florsbach, Lowenstern, Prussia. Other variations of the spelling of Konkle include:

· Konkel

· Kunckel

· Kunkel

· Kunkle

· Kungel

· Gunkle

· Conkle

· Conkel

· Cunkel

Although the name "Konkle" is German in origin, the family was identified with a group of early Americans known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch". Early English settlers coined this word and really meant to say "Deutsch", meaning "German", but the word soon became corrupted into "Dutch". This name was applied to the Swiss, German and even French Huguenots who arrived in the eastern United States in the 1700's and settled in a small area roughly defined as south central and eastern Pennsylvania. In the late 1700's, many began to migrate into Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio and Canada. The ones that moved to Canada, to the Niagara Peninsula (an area in southeastern Ontario that lies between Michigan and New York states), generally applied to become United Empire Loyalists, and as such received large land grants. Many of the Konkle immigrants arrived on British ships that left from the port of Rotterdam, Holland and landed at Philadelphia harbour. The ship "Patience" was held up at 38 different custom points as it sailed down the Rhine to Holland. The ship left Holland in May, and did not arrive in Philadelphia until September the 16th, 1748. Most of the passengers on board were from the Palatinate section of south Germany. The ship's records generally only listed adult males. In the records for the ship "Patience", there were 122 men listed. Only occasionally were females or minors recorded. The following are some of the British ships, the arrival date and some possible connection to the Konkle family. The bold italic listing is our family line.

· "Loyal Judith", 9-25-1732, Balthasar Gunkel (also listed as Baltzar Conkell & Baltser Conkell), age 20, a Palatine.

· "Queen Elizabeth", 9-16-1738, Johanis Conkell, age 30; Johanes Konkell, age 24; Palatines (they are also recorded on other lists as Johannes Kunkel, Johannes Gunckell, and Johanes Gunckel).

· "Patience", 9-16-1748, Johannes Kungel, age 44; Johan Kungel Jr. age 16; Hans Adam Kungel, age 66; Hans Adam Kungel Jr. age 30; (also listed as Cunkel & Kunckel).

· "Ranier", 9-26-1749, J. Michael Gunkel (the passengers on board were listed as being from Hanau, Wirtemberg, Armstand & Isenberg).

· "Priscilla", 9-12-1750, George Cunkel and Johannes Guckel.

· "Duke of Bedford", 9-14-1751, Lorentz Kunckel.

A letter, written in 1748, was located and translated into English. This letter describes the crossing from Florsbach, Germany to Pennsylvania, USA.

On a list of the arrival of some Dauphin County, Pennsylvania ancestors were John Kunkel Sr. and Jr. and Adam Kunkel Sr. and Jr. with a listed arrival date of 9-16-1748. The seniors were brothers. This date coincides with the arrival of the ship "Patience".

Hans Adam Kunkel Sr. born 1682, died ????

Hans Adam (John) Kunkel Jr. born 1718, died 1809.

Adam Konkle
Adam Konkle born 1747, traveled to America on the ship Patience with his mother and father when only one year old. He immigrated to Canada in the 1790's with wife Mary (Magdalena?). Mary was born in 1752, died in 1830. Adam and Mary had 8 children: Mary born in 1789, died 1874, married John Tufford; Anna born in 1791, died 1855, married Abraham Markle; Colonel Adam born in 1792, died in 1888, married Ann Tufford; Margaret born 1782?, died 5 Jan.1855 (73 yrs.), married Christopher Beamer on 14 April 1814; Henry born in 1795, died 1883, married three times, to Catherine Weirs born 1794 died 1852, to Mary Jane and finally to Helen who died in 1897; Charity born in 1797, died in 1837, married Joseph Adair; Philibean born ????, died ????; Elizabeth born ????died ????, married Henry Sheppard.
See Last Will of Adam Konkle
As copied from Annals of the Forty #5 1763 - 1833, Loyalist & Pioneer Families of West Lincoln:
"Adam Konkle came from New Jersey to Canada with his wife, Mary, and several small children.  His petition - No 17 - Read 13 July, 1796 states the he was recommended to receive 200 acres of land. He settled on Lots 17 and 18, Concession 1, Clinton Township, where he and his wife, Mary, lived and died and where they were buried in a small burying lot in their farm." See Headstones of Konkle ll Cemetery

Col. Adam Konkle
born 1792, died 1888

As copied from Historical Atlas of Lincoln & Welland, 1876:
"Born in the Township of Clinton, County of Lincoln on the first concession, lot 18, in the year 1780. His parents emigrated from Sussex County, Pennsylvania, where they were farmers, and made their way for upwards of five hundred miles through the woods to the spot where Mr. Konkle lives at the present time. He took part in the war of 1812-15, and was in the battle of Queenston Heights, where he had a narrow escape from being killed, a tuft of his hair and his coat collar having been shot off. As before intimated, Mr. Konkle still resides on the farm on which he was born, and is now a hale and hearty old gentleman, respected and esteemed for his many sterling qualities." This sketch of Col. Adam contradicts some of the dates and place names as listed above in the Annals of the Forty #5.  Col. Adam Konkle died in 1888.

See Last Will for Col. Adam Konkle
Children: Adam J. born in 1815, died 1885; Henry born in 1818, died 1897?; Capt. Mathias born in 1818, died 1897, married Barbara; William born in 1820, died 1878 who married Eliza Patterson 1822 - 1905; Mary Frances born in 1820, died 1894, who married John McGregor; and Maria born in 1825 who married Isaac Smith.

Capt. Matthias Konkle
born 1818, died 1897
In History of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment "which traces itself back to the Lincoln Militia raised in Upper Canada in 1794." There are listings of two Konkles. "On 20th December, 1861, in consequence of tension between the United Kingdom and the United States governments over civil war, the military authorities took steps to prepare a portion of the sedentary militia for service.... no man was to be pressed into enrolling and the officers were to be especially chosen. It was to intended that the companies should be inspected and on call in case of emergency.... By March, 1863, there were altogether, twelve volunteer militia companies of rifles or infantry in the county of Lincoln.... The 19th Battalion consisted of ten companies." The commanding officer of the 9th company was Captain Matthias Konkle (originally with the 3rd Lincoln). Also listed in the 9th company is his son Sgt. Robert Osborne Konkle. On June 22, 1866 the battalion was reorganized and the commanding officer of the 5th company was Captain Matthias Konkle.
See the Last Will of Capt. Matthias Konkle
Children: Matthias Jr. born in 1836, died 1922, married Amanda, born 1834, died 1892; Robert Osborne born in 1840, died 1913, married Elizabeth Hoffman born in 1845, died 1931; Susannah born in 1841, died 1917, married Robert Terryberry, born in 1838, died 1905; Matilda Ann born in 1842, died ????, married Schramm; Eliza Jane born in 1844, died ????; Mary Catherine born in 1846, died 1915, married (1886) John Henry Smith d. 1932; Nancy born in 1857, married Henessy; Sarah born in 1854, died 1928, married David Librock, born 1851, died 1930; and John Haun born in 1864, died ????.

Robert Osborne Konkle
born 1840, died 1913





Children: Emma Catharine born 1864, died 1932, married William Potter; Elizabeth Jane born 1865, died 1921, married Tom Chadwick, born 1857, died 1931; Eliza Ann born ????, died ????, married Jake Walters; Susan born 1866, died 1947, married Frickey; Eva born 1868, died 1888; Francis Helen born 1870, died ????, married Vern Bessey; James Henry born 1872, died 1949, married Lizzie, born 1875, died ????; Robert Charles(see photo below) born 1874, died 1918; Adam Mathias born 1877, died 1977; John A. born 1879, died 1943, married Agnes May House, born 1878, died 1961; George Ellis (see photo below) born 1880, died 1960, married Bertha Miller, born 1874, died 1964; Alexander born 1888, died 1980, married Isabella Stevens, born 1891, died 1975(see photo below);

Transcribed Last Will of Robert Osborne Konkle

From Left:
John, George Ellis, Robert Charles, Robert Osborne, James Henry, Alexander
Francis, Elizabeth Jane, Elizabeth, Emma Catharine, Liz, Susan

Alexander m. Isabella Steven
Alec was the last child born of 12 children. He was born on his father's family farm on the escarpment in Beamsville, Ontario and inherited a 50 acre section upon his father's death in 1913. Alec built a new home and barns on this section. This is where he moved to with his bride Isabella Angus Steven and where his children were born and raised. It is now on a street called Konkle Road. Alec loved to garden and fish. In his later years he moved to Central Avenue, Beamsville and lived across from the High School. At that home he had a large vegetable garden and also grew beautiful roses. In his garage he would always have a crock of sauerkraut on the go. He would always have his dog "Peter" at his side.


Children: Earl Osborne; Carman Angus; Evelyn Elizabeth; Isabell May; Bruce Vincent

This is the sawmill on Robert Osborne Konkle's 100 acre farm. This is the farm where Alec Konkle and siblings were born. Part of the original farm is still occupied by Konkles. On the farm were a sawmill, cider press, and several barns and outbuildings. Adjacent to the farm is a family cemetery.

Carman Angus Konkle
born 1915, died 1996

Born on the family farm in 1915, and married Edith Boyd in 1944.
They started their marriage in Grimsby Beach, moved to Winona, then moved to Stoney Creek in 1949. He worked at several different occupations, such as a machinist with Otis Elevator, machinist with Dominion Glass, salesman for Morgans (as division of The Hudson's Bay) and then finally for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Carm lived in Stoney Creek for a few years after Edith's death in 1983. Carm spent his last few years living in Victoria near his sons. He passed away on December 23, 1996 and was cremated.


Children: Brian Stuart born 1945, married Patricia Eileen Johnson, born 1948; Rodger Wilson born 1948, married Iris Jean Bartle, born 1946.

Rodger Wilson Konkle

Born in Grimsby, Ontario on Feb. 27, 1948. Raised and attended school in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Moved to Vancouver in 1966, married Iris Jean Bartle (see her parents) in 1967, moved to Victoria, B.C. in 1967. He has retired from the BC Government, is member of the South Van Isle Lions Club, is involved in sport support for gymnastics, loves cycling, camping, and the outdoors.
Children: Kelly Diane, born 19XX; Catherine Marie, born 19XX; Adam Rodger Alexander, born 19XX; and Stephen Albert Johnathon, born 19XX.

George Ellis

Robert Charles

Is your surname KONKLE? If so, and you want to get involved in some genealogical work, email me! rwkonkle (at) shaw dot ca

Last modified on 2004-Jan-21 by Adam Konkle

Content remains the property of Rodger Konkle