The son of Samuel Godfrey Henkel and Susan Koiner Henkel received his early education at New Market Academy. While enrolled there he also was employed at his father's drug store, printing office, and farm. After the Civil War he enrolled at the University of Virginia, where he studied medicine. After that he was a distinguished graduate of New York University. He practiced in Staunton and was Surgeon for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.

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Sent byBarbara Anne (Brownell) Potter;


Report of the Necrological Committee.
Dr. Abram Miller Henkel.Dr. Abram Miller Henkel, the second son of Dr. Samuel Godfrey and Susan (Coiner) Henkel, was born in New Market, Va., October13, 1843. His grandfather, Solomon Henkel, was also a physician: hence Dr. Abram Miller Henkel was in the third generation without a break in the line of succession of doctors. Facing his lineage still further back, Dr. Abram Miller Henkel was the great-grand son of Rev Paul Henkel, a noted Lutheran minister and pioneer missionary, who was a grandson of Rev. Gerhard Henkel, a German court preacher, who came to Philadelphia about 1718 ; a descendant of Count Henkel, of Poeltzig (instrumental in sending Rev. Muhlenberg, the famous German pioneer missionary, to America) ; and of Johann Henkel, D. D., LL. D., of Leutschan, Hungary, who was confessor to Queen "Maria, about 1530, but afterwards embraced Protestantism. Thus it will be observed that in both the ministry and medicine the ancestors of the subject of this sketch have sustained a long and honorable history of distinguished usefulness. Abram Miller Henkel was baptized February 1, 1844, and in early youth became a confirmed member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church—the Church of his ancestors. He acquired the elementary principles of his education at the New Market Academy, a fine preparatory school in that day. During his vacation he also supplemented his knowledge with working in his father's drug store, in his printing office, and on his farm. He thus acquired a careful training, accurate habits, and a practical character, together with a strong physique. The Civil War intervening between his academic and collegiate courses, his education in the latter was somewhat curtailed, but nothing daunted, he entered the Medical Department of the University of Virginia, at which he spent a scholastic year in unremitting study. He had, however, so improved his opportunity for learning that the next year, when he attended the Medical Department of the University of New York, he graduated at it (in 1868) with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In keeping with his energetic and courageous spirit, he entered without delay on the practice of his profession in Staunton, Va., where he rapidly reached distinction, and later recognition as one of the leading physicians and surgeons in the Valley of Virginia. As indicating the confidence reposed in his reputation as a practitioner, he filled numerous responsible positions, such as member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons, Local Surgeon C. & 0. and the B. & O. Railroads, Physician to Wesleyan Female Institute, Medical Examiner Mutual Life Insurance Co., Medical Examiner Maryland Insurance Co., Traveller's Insurance Co. ; also a member of the Medical Society of Virginia. He was married in September, 1876, to Mrs. Virginia Moffett, the issue of their marriage being one son, Samuel Godfrey Henkel. After a very brief illness, he departed this life at his residence in Staunton, Va., April 19, 1904, and is survived by his widow and son and a large circle of kindred and friends, who deeply mourn his untimely death.The deceased possessed positive virtues—courage and sincerity,sobriety and tenacity of purpose. But not these virtues alone, but even his personal manliness and habits also evidenced his superior character. For neither swearing denied his speech nor tobacco soiled his lips. If he had fine tact and talent, his strong resolution, his indomitable energy, and his unflagging industry secured them to him in their highest development. If he had keen intuitions and superior hereditary gifts, those afflicted with disease and stricken with bodily infirmities reaped the healing benefits in the sweet ministries he mercifully practiced in his profession of medicine and surgery. Whether viewed as a husband, a father, a physician, a citizen, or as a Christian, his merits were recognized, his long and distinguished usefulness appreciated, and his great worth generally acknowledged