J.F. Markley, Cabinet Maker(1800-1854) – Lancaster County, Columbia, Pennsylvania.
The Columbia cabinetmaker Jacob F. Markley was the grandson of Hans Georg Markley (1730-1799) who came to American in 1749 and settled in Strasburg Township, Lancaster County. Hans Georg and his wife, Barbara Frohlich, had eleven children, one of whom was John Markley (1762-1836). He was a farmer, carpenter, and distiller as well as a Revolutionary War soldier and Justice of the Peace. John married Catharine (Bailey or Reily) and together they produced four children, one of whom was Jacob Fry Markley.
The first documentary evidence of Jacob F. Markley in Columbia was in 1829. On March 26 of that year he bought a house and part of Lot 106 on Locust Street. He appeared on tax lists for Columbia from 1830 through 1846 and was noted as cabinetmaker, contractor or gent. Over the years, the recorded deeds document that he was the purchaser or seller of numerous properties in Columbia. On one of the lots listed as “Columbia Extended” he built the first planing mill. It was sold in 1850. The deed of sale describes Jacob F. Markley as resident of City of Philadelphia, so he at some time after 1848 left Columbia.
There is no documentation for Jacob F. Markley’s training as a cabinetmaker, however, it is certain that there were many woodworking artisans in his family. His father was at least a sometime carpenter; his uncle George was a carpenter in Strasburg Township; his Aunt Hannah was married to a carpenter and joiner named Hieronymous Miller and his sister married into the Holl family of woodworking artisans.
The above biographical information was prepared by John J. Snyder, Jr. of Washington Borough, Pennsylvania, 10-27-99.