Socrates HENKEL

Biography from the North Carolina Synod of the Evangeical LutheranChurch in America HENKEL, SOCRATES Date/Place of Birth: March 23, 1823; Lincoln County, N.C. Parents: TheReverend David Henkel and Catharine (Heyle/Hoyle) Henkel. A grandsonof the Reverend Paul Henkel, and a younger brother of the ReverendPolycarp C. Henkel. Spouse/Marriage Date: Eleanora C. (Henkel) Henkel, daughter of theReverend Ambrose Henkel; 1850. Children: Ambrose L., Elon O., Otto H.Probably others, names not known. Ambrose and Elon were proprietors ofthe Henkel press in New Market, Va. Education: Received a D.D. degree. Ordination: Ordained Deacon 1850 and Pastor 1851 by Tennessee Synod. Calls: All in Virginia. This is all we have about his ministry: "Heentered the ministry of the Tennessee Synod in 1850 and took charge ofEmmanuel congregation of New Market. It was the congregation of whichhis illustrious grandfather, The Reverend Paul Henkel, was pastor formany years. Dr. Henkel was pastor of Emmanuel for a period offortyfive years. In 1895 he was compelled to resign because ofimpaired health, but retained his pastorate as Emeritus until hisdeath." (The Henkel Memorial 17171912, First Series, Number Four, p.128.) Other: Voluminous writer. Treasurer, Tennessee Synod, 1855,1875, 1879, 1881; Secretary, 1859, 1869, 1870; President, 1871, 1876,1877, 1880, 1882; Member of Committee to Recommend a Book of Worship,1871. This committee recommended the General Council Church Book,which was approved and used until 1919 when the Common Service Bookwas published. One of six Tennessee Synod clerical and three laydelegates to Diet at Salisbury in 1885 to consider Basis for closercooperation among Southern Lutheran Synods, which resulted in theorganization of the United Synod South in 1886, Tennessee and NorthCarolina Synods becoming members. Among literary contributions:History of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod; translation fromGerman and Latin into English, with others, of the Book of Concord,1851, of which he was editorinchief, the first translation of thatvolume into the English language. Date of Death/Burial Location: June20, 1901; Emmanuel Church, New Market, Va.

Comments