Josiah J. Engle, son of Jeremiah and Christina Engle, was born May 1, 1841. He attended public school in Elk Lick Township and followed the occupation of farming.After the death of Peter Wilhelm, he was the first man to occupy the Wilhelm Homestead, where he remained for thirteen years. He was a veteran of the Civil War, serving in the 154th Infantry. He held Township Offices, being Constable and Justice of the Peace. He served his Church, with which he united on May 5, 1861 as Elder and Deacon and for many years was the Sexton of the Church.
He was a merchant, and had a store in what was previously a Shoemaker Shop, located on the Southeast Corner of the Sexton Property. Later in life he conducted a store in Coal Run.
Mr. Engle was twice married, the latter time to Miss Malinda Folk, daughter of Samuel Folk, and she was raised on the John D. Yoder farm. By his first marriage he had the following children: Ellen, Harvey and Sallie; by his second marriage: Mrs. Ida Opel, Russell J., Mrs. Alcinda Engle, Mrs. Annie Harding, Mrs. Savannah Sipple, Melissa, Samuel J., George and two who died in Infancy.
It is said of Mr. Engle that he was a kind to a fault. Tramps seemed to know that they would receive a welcome at his home. He was a strickler for that which he believed, his judgement was seldom faulty, his perceptions were quick and he was able to follow a train of argument from beginning to end without a hitch or break.
He died at his home where his son Samuel now lives, from Heart Failure, on November 16, 1906. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. S. C. Stover, assisted by Dr. L. P. Young.Mrs Engle died August 18, 1913. Both are interred at St. Paul’s.
