Johann was born in  Langenbrand, Germany on the 12 of June 1836. He was the 8th child of Valentine Merkel and Maria Anna Gertsner. Johann's wife was Maria Anna Doerrer born in Weisenbach, Baden, Germany in April of 1836.

Emigration: At the age of 15, Johann left Germany. He sailed with his parents and the rest of his brothers and sisters on the 9th of  Nov. 1851. They made the journey on the ship called the "Splendid" and arrived at the Port of  New York on the 10 of Dec. 1851.