Author Sketch

Solomon Erb Ochsenford, son of Jesse and Mary Ochsenford, was born in Douglass Township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on November 8, 1855. His earlier educational advantages were limited, owing to the straitened circumstances of his parents; hence the years of childhood and youth were spent in the country, near Falkner Swamp, one of the earliest German settlements in the state of Pennsylvania. The public schools afforded the advantage of acquiring the rudiments of an education. He received his preparatory training in Mount Pleasant Seminary, Boyertown, Pennsylvania, 1871-73; in the fall of the latter year he entered the Sophomore class in Muhlenberg college, Allentown, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1876.

13 Feb 2019

Rev. Charles Armond Miller, pastor of College church, Salem, Va., was born March 7, 1864. His primary education was conducted under the personal care of his father. Rev. Dr. J. I. Miller, the founder and for many years Principal of Staunton Female Seminary, now President of Von Bora College, Lura, Va.

12 Feb 2019

Rev. Professor Matthias Loy, D.D. The subject of this sketch was born of German parents in Cumberland Co., Pa., in 1828. He was educated at Harrisburg, Pa., and Columbus, Ohio. In 1849 he received and accepted a call as pastor of the German-English Lutheran congregation at Columbus, Ohio.

11 Feb 2019

Rev. Samuel Laird, D.D. The Rev. Samuel Laird, D. D., was born on the 7th of February, 1835, in New Castle Co., Del. When about six years of age his parents removed to Philadelphia, where he continued to live until after entering the ministry. He was baptized and subsequently confirmed by the Rev. Philip F. Mayer, D. D., pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran church, of Philadelphia. He was educated in the public schools of the city, graduating from the high school in 1852, having completed the full classical course of study. In the fall of the same year he entered the Sophomore class of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from the department of Arts in 1855.

9 Feb 2019

Rev. Emanuel Greenwald, D. D. Emanuel Greenwald, D. D. was “a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.” He was a good boy, this carpenter’s son, born January 13, 1811, who grew to man’s estate in quiet Frederick, Md. His father’s habit of reading Arndt’s True Christianity and Jay’s Morning and Evening Exercises, and his mother’s serious conversations with him about God and Christ and his soul’s salvation made a lasting impression on Emanuel. At two years of age he was consecrated to the ministry. At eighteen he was catechized and confirmed in German. Previous to this he helped his father at farming and carpentering, and attended school a few winters, but now he became a private theological student of his pastor, the renowned Dr. David F. Schaeffer. During his five years’ tuition this country boy walked 14,000 miles in getting his education. It was of the most solid, orthodox stamp; the body of divinity which young Greenwald became possessed of was no mere coat of mail with vitals of iron, but a living, breathing body with a substantial backbone and glowing heart. From his preceptor’s study the candidate went into the country churches round about to preach repentance and faith.

7 Feb 2019

Rev. Charles William Schaeffer, D.D., LL.D., the son of the Rev. Solomon Frederick Schaeffer, was born in Hagerstown, Md., May 5, 1813. His father was at the time the pastor of St. John’s Church of that city, but when only twenty-four years of age, and the son was about one year old, he fell victim to a fever that was contracted by visiting a camp of soldiers near Hagerstown. His mother was Catharine Eliza Crever.

6 Feb 2019

Rev. James Allen Brown, D.D. James Allen, the son of James and Ann Brown, was born in Drumore township, Lancaster county, Pa., February 19, 1821. Both parents were Quakers, and the early years of their five sons and two daughters were passed amid the duties and toils incident to the farmer’s life. James Allen early evinced an unusual desire for study. His days were given to work, and his evenings to reading. He derived every possible advantage from the public school, applying himself with such earnestness that he soon exhibited the marked ability which distinguished him in later years. The library of his grandfather furnished him a good supply of such books as Locke’s “Human Understanding,” Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” and in this class of literature he at once found delight.

5 Feb 2019

Rev. Theophilus Stork, D.D. As to its external facts and changes, Dr. Stork’s life may be easily told. Eternity alone can unfold the full extent of the work he did. The most useful and influential life is not always marked by the greatest changes or crowded with the most exciting incidents. He was born in North Carolina, where his father preached the gospel with marked and blessed results. He was early brought to Christ, and became at once an open and pronounced Christian. His education was secured in the institutions of the church at Gettysburg, in which he took advanced grade, and where his memory is still fondly cherished. Entering the ministry about the year 1837, his first labors were given to Winchester, Va. Of the character and results of his first ministry I feel authorized to speak with confidence, as it was my good fortune, in after years, to occupy the same pulpit. Even to this day he is there remembered with undiminished confidence and affection, and his efforts spoken of in terms of highest praise. For long years his friends of that congregation maintained frequent communication with him, and consulted him freely upon questions of mutual interest.

4 Feb 2019

About Rev. Beale M. Schmucker, D.D. Rev. Dr. Schmucker came of a ministerial family. Both his father and grandfather were clergymen, and the connections of the family with the Schaeffers, the Sprechers, the Geissenhainers and Sadtlers represented some of the best known ministerial names of our church in this country. Nicolaus Schmucker, his great-grandfather, was a native of Michelstadt, Hessia, and emigrated to this country in the year 1785. His grandfather, the Rev. Dr. John Geo. Schmucker, was born in 1771. He studied for the ministry, first, in Shenandoah County, Va., under Rev. Paul Henkel, and afterwards in Philadelphia, under Drs. Helmuth and Schmidt. From 1809 to 1852 he had charge of the Lutheran Congregation in York, Pa. He was one of the founders of the General Synod.

2 Feb 2019

About Rev. Benjamin Kurtz, D.D., LL.D. Dr. Benjamin Kurtz came to Baltimore in August, 1833, to assume the editorial charge of the Lutheran Observer. He was at this time a widower and not in vigorous health. He had little experience in writing, and he had some difficulty in pruning his superfluous verbiage; but he acquired a vigorous, if not ornate style, and rendered invaluable service to the church in this position. He had no other employment and was ambitious of success. He was not under the control of any Synod or Board, and pursued his own independent way. He maintained this position by himself for about fifteen years, until the establishment of the book and publishing office, principally through his own agency. He superintended that institution with great ability and success, for he had eminent business capacity.

1 Feb 2019