Mihkel was born in 1756. Mihkel's father was Märt and his mother was Liis. His paternal grandparents were Mats and Pabbo; his maternal grandparents were Mats and Ann. He had a brother and three sisters, named Mats, Els, Epp and Madli. He had two half-brothers and two half-sisters, named Jaan, Hans, Epp and Kärt.