USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania : containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers. Pt. 1 > Part 44
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KELLER, REV. EMANUEL, son of Peter and Catherine (Schaeffer) keller, was born Sep- tember 30, 1801, at Harrisburg, Pa. He was educated in the common schools and academy
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of the borough, and pursued his classical studies under the direction of his uncle, the Rev. Benjamin Keller. He subsequently entered Dickinson College, where he re- mained two years, when he began the study of theology with the Rev. Dr. Lochman, of Harrisburg. In 1826 he was licensed by the Lutheran Synod of Pennsylvania, and the same year began his ministerial labors at Manchester, Md. Thence he removed to Mechanicsburg, Pa., where he continued in the pastorate until a short period before his death, his enfeebled health obliging him to resign his charge. He died at Mechanics- burg, April 11, 1837, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, and is buried in Trindle Spring graveyard. The Rev. Mr. Keller married, April 14, 1825, Sabine Seltzer, of Harrisburg, and they have five children.
HAY, CHARLES A .- The following sketch of Charles A. Hay, D. D., father of John W., was prepared by Prof. E. S. Breidenbaugh, Sc. D., and is taken from the Lutheran Ob- server of July 14, 1893 :
" Charles Augustus Hay was born at York, Pa., February 11, 1821. He died suddenly from heart disease, at his home, Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, June 26, 1893. He at- tended the schools of his native town, and was also directed in his studies by his uncle, Dr. J. G. Morris, so that he entered the sophomore class of Pennsylvania College, graduating in 1839. He pursued his theo- logical studies at Gettysburg, and at Berlin and Halle in Germany. These years spent in Germany were peculiarly rich in benefits and in memories to Dr. Hay. He enjoyed close intimacy with Prof. Tholuck and with his fellow-pupil, afterwards Prof. Lincoln of Brown University, who has spoken to me of the manner in which his fellow-students were attracted to Mr. Hay by reason of his scholarship, his modest bearing, and amiable disposition.
Dr. Hay was licensed in 1843, and was for the greater portion of the following fifty years connected with the East Pennsylvania Synod, thus covering almost its whole history, and was one of the most influential members of the Synod.
The first pastorate of Dr. Hay was Middle- town, Pa., in 1844, whence, the same year, he was called to the combined professorships of German in Pennsylvania College and in the Theological Seminary, continuing till 1848, when he served the congregation at
Hanover, Pa., for one year, being now called to the charge of Zion church, Harrisburg, continuing to serve these people till 1865, when he was again called to the institutions at Gettysburg, to the Theological Seminary as professor of Hebrew and Old Testament theology, pastoral theology, and German language and literature. During the ro- cent commencement he had tendered his resignation, to take effect at the end of the current year. During that period (1866- 1892) he served as pastor of Christ (College) church, Gettysburg, in connection with his professional duties.
We knew Dr. Hay thus as pastor, teacher and also as author, curator of Historical So- ciety, laborer in general church work, and as citizen, but above all else as a man. In a few words I will imperfectly but truthfully refer to each.
As pastor, he rounded the half century of labor; for while over half the time from licensure in 1843 he was in professional positions, during the much larger portion of this period he was at the same time pastor of a congregation. If one requires any testi- mony to the character of the service of Dr. Hay as pastor, let inquiries be made of the people of Harrisburg or of Gettysburg-not of Lutherans alone but of the whole commu- nity, of the church attendance and of the members of the Sunday-school. He fulfilled the injunetions of Paul, he was " gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing them that oppose," "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly di- vining the word of truth ;" and he obeyed the word of the Lord to Paul, " Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace." The result in the congregations was souls saved, growth in Christian graces, and vigorous religious life. and on the death of the pastor tears that expressed but faintly the sense of a friend, a counselor, a helper, a messenger from God.
As professor, he possessed three great qualifications: he knew his subjects, he was deeply interested in his work, he was ready at all times to give assistance to the in- quirer. Speaking from personal knowledge, he quickened the interest of the student and led him to further research. Many genera- tions of students will bear testimony to the value of his service in the theological sem- inary, and the fruit of his teachings will never be lost in the church.
As author, Dr. Ilay has made contribu-
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tions to reviews on Old Testament exegesis, on codices of the Scriptures, and on histori- cal and biographical topics, besides reviews. He has also prepared several biographical volumes, and has translated from German several important volumes and review arti- eles. As an author his style was clear and definite and his discussion thorough. His translations are highly commended for clear and accurate expression of the thoughts of the original. His last translation is Luther's Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount. With Dr. H. E. Jacobs he translated and edited Schmid's Dogmatik.
In general church work Dr. Hay was always active and influential. In his dis- trict Synod, and in the General Synod, of which he was frequently a member, secre- tary in 1853, and president in 1881, he was a prominent figure, and helped quietly but decidedly to place the General Synod in its very excellent doctrinal position. He was for a number of years the chairman of the beneficiary education committee of the East Pennsylvania Synod, and a member of the executive committee of the Parent Educa- tion Society. The young men receiving aid know how he was interested in their welfare and sought the prompt payment of their money, while at the same time gnarding the church against unworthy recipients of aid. Dr. Hay was an efficient trustee of Pennsyl- vania College from 1852, and served as sec- retary of the board 1867-80. In many other connections he was actively employed in the benefit of his greatly beloved Lu- theran Church.
In work outside of the Lutheran Church, he was always ready to co-operate with other Christian people in any good cause. In local church and benevolent work, his assist- ance was eagerly sought and promptly given. He was from 1870 the president of the Penn- sylvania Bible Society, and for many years president, first, of the Harrisburg Bible So- ciety and subsequently of the Bible Society of the Theological Seminary and Pennsyl- vania College.
Special attention is called to his very valu- able, his inestimably valuable service to the Lutheran Church as curator of the library of the Historical Society of the Lutheran Church. In 1869 he was elected to this position, and with his co-laborer, Dr. J. G. Morris, president of the society, he has col- lected and arranged in an accessible shape a great mass of manuscript and printed
documents concerning general and local church history. This collection has excited the admiration. and surprise of many who had, before consulting this collection, searched in vain for important historical data. If valuable now, time will only in a rapid ratio increase the value of this work.
As a citizen, Dr. Hay was known as a con- scientious, earnest supporter of all measures which were calculated to advance the wel- fare of the individual and of the community. IIe was interested in the work of our public school system, and served as a member of the school board of the city of Harrisburg. This known interest led Governor Hoyt to offer him the position of State superintendent of public schools.
Dr. Hay was an earnest advocate of the cause of the poor, and of all who were op- pressed or needy ; his was a broad and wise philanthropy, which while seeking large results, labored for the individual and re- membered that onits make up the aggregate.
The Civil war called ont all the Christian patriotism of Dr. Hay. By voice and pen and example he showed himself theadvocate of the Union and the friend of the soldier. Many examples occur to the writer, but space forbid their recital-how he had his congregation to help fortify Harrisburg in 1863, at Fort Washington; how he was im- prisoned by General Wool for criticising the General's leniency to rebel sympathizers : how he cared for the soldiers at Camp Curtin, and carried relief and comfort to the hospitals.
Thus Dr. Hay has left behind him many memorials, as pastor, reformer, author, la- borer in the church, eurator, citizen, friend ; but the greatest memorial is that of his per- sonal life, a legacy begond all others to his children and to those privileged to call him friend. He was pure in thought, guileless in conduet, affectionate in mamier, constant in advocacy of truth, wise in counsel, helpful to the stricken, by his very presence a dis- courager of vice, earnest and faithful in labor -a preacher who came with God's message to man, a pastor who was careful of the fold, a friend who sought the Christian advance- ment of his friends. We will miss him from the pulpit, from the altar, from the Sunday-school, from the sick room, from the social gathering, from the personal inter- course. Multitudes will rise up now and in the hereafter and call him blessed. We will say for him what his modesty would have forbidden him to appropriate for himself:
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He has fought a good fight, he has finished his course, he has kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteous- ness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give him.
Dr. Hay has left behind him a wife, three sons-Dr. John W., of Harrisburg; Rev. Charles E., of Allentown, Pa .; Rev. E. G., of Red Hook, N. Y .- and two daughters, the wives respectively of Rev. M. L. Heisler, of Harrisburg, and Prof. J. A. Himes, of Gettys- burg." €
MELICK, REV. JUSTUS A., was born, of pious Methodist parents, in Light Street, Columbia county, Pa., March 7, 1823, and thus at his death had completed by a few weeks sixty-three years of carthly pilgrim- age. From early childhood he gave evi- dence of a devoutness of spirit in the daily reading of the scriptures and in a fixed pur- pose to lead a pure and upright life. It was not, however, until he was student in the academy at Harford, Pa., possibly in his twentieth year, that he received the assur- ance of his acceptance as a child of God. This so changed the current of his thought that he cheerfully surrendered his cherished plan -- to adopt the profession of law-and gave himself to the ministry, to which he felt called of God. After graduation, with honor as valedictorian of his class, he at- tended, for a term of years, the Genessee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, N. Y., as pre- parative to his life work.
In 1848, with twenty-four other young men he was admitted on trial in the Balti- more conference. In 1850, at Alexandria, Va., he was received into full connection in the conference and ordained a deacon by Bishop Morris, and in 1852 was ordained elder, at Cumberland, Md., by Bishop James. Ilis first appointment was Bellefonte circuit, as junior preacher, being a colleague of Rev. Thompson Mitchell. His subsequent fields of labor were as follows: 1849, Clearfield ; 1850, Lycoming; 1851, Berwick ; 1852-3, Luzerne; 1854-5, Lock Haven ; 1856-7, Great Island; 1858, Manor Hill; 1859-60, Birmingham; 1861-2, Woodberry ; 1863-4, Williamsburg; 1865-7, Newberry ; 1868-9, Bloomsburg; 1870-1, Jersey Shore; 1872-4, Hollidaysburg; 1875-6, St. Paul's, Harris- burg. Here in the second year of his pastor- ate his health began to fail, and at the Wil- liamsport conference in 1877 he became supernumerary, and a year later settled
down into the most sorrowful conviction of a Methodist preacher-work done, supernum- erated. The next eight years were spent in Harrisburg, cheered by the loving associa- tions of a bright and happy home, the esteem of the church, the love of his brethren and the confidence of the whole community, do- ing such work as his strength would permit.
Rev. Jesse B. Young, his pastor during the last year of his life, in a memoir read at the memorial service held in the Grace church, Harrisburg, reviewed the character and achievements of Rev. Melick, paying an eloquent tribute to his unselfish devotion and loyalty to the cause of Christ.
Rev. Melick was twice married. The wife of his carly manhood was Miss Emeline E. Patchin, of Clearfield county, Pa., to whom he was united, October 28, 1851, and who shared for eleven years the toils and depri- vations of his early itinerancy. She died in 1862, leaving him with three little children. He was married, secondly, in 1867, to Miss Emily Dunmire, who by her devotion to him in the years of their wedded life, and by her faithful and motherly care of the children, now grown to a beautiful, active Christian manhood and womanhood, has shown her eminent fitness for the delicate and responsible trust.
His end was calm and peaceful, and his funeral was held in Grace Methodist Episco- pal church, Harrisburg, March 25, 1886. A deeply affected and sympathetic congrega- tion filled the spacious edifice, and a large number of ministers of his own and other denominations by their presence expressed their appreciation of his worth and work.
CALDER, JAMES, son of William and Mary (Kirkwood) Calder, was born February 16, 1826, at Harrisburg, Pa. He was educated in the public schools of the borough, the Harrisburg Academy, Partridge's military institute, and entered Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1845, from which he graduated August 1, 1849. In September following, he joined the Philadelphia con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was stationed in Lancaster county, where he remained until 1851, when he was ap- pointed missionary to China, sailing from New York in the spring of that year. He reached Foo-Chow, his missionary station, in July following. He remained at this point until the year 1854, when having changed his views on church polity, he
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withdrew from the denomination, and re- turned to the United States. Soon after he became pastor of the Bethel church, Harris- burg, until the year 1859, and in the mean- time editor of the Church Advocate, the organ of the Church of God. In 1857, while serv- ing in this pastorate, he took charge of the Shippensburg Collegiate Institute, contin- uing there one year, until owing to the death of his wife, he returned to Harrisburg. In 1862 the larger part of the congregation here, with their pastor, connected them- selves with the Free Will Baptists denomi- ination, and erected a new church building on State and Fourth streets. The Rev. Mr. Calder ministered to that congregation until 1869, when he was elected president of Hillsdale College, Michigan, a Free Will Baptist institution. He continued at the head of that institution two years; when, in 1871, the presidency of the Pennsylvania State College having become vacant by the death of Dr. Burrowes, Mr. Calder was in- vited to succeed him. He accepted the po- sition, returned to Pennsylvania, and until June, 1SSO, remained in charge of that in- stitution. He then resigned and came to Harrisburg, where he remained until his death, which occurred November 22, 1893. From 1890 to 1893 he filled the position of lecturer of the State Grange of Pennsyl- vania, and at the same time assistant editor of the Farmers' Friend, published in the interest of the State Grange. Hillsdale Col- lege, in 1866, conferred upon Mr. Calder the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. Dr. Calder married first, in 1850, Ellen. C., daughter of the Rev. John . Winebrenner, who died in 1858. His second wife was Mrs. Eliza D. Murphy, daughter of the late Nich- olas Roamshart, of Harrisburg, who still survives.
To the first union were born four children : Frank R., Harrisburg; James K., Hagers- town, Md .; Charles M., died August 18, 1SS0; A. Russell, Steelton, Pa.
To the second union were born four chil- dren : William Carey, missionary in Burma ; Mary E., wife of Prof. John W. Heston; Everett, Washington; Howard L., Harris- burg; Wallace R., Harrisburg.
ROBINSON, THOMAS HASTINGS, son of Will- iam Andrew Robinson and his wife Nancy Cochran, was born January 30, 1828, in North-East township, Erie county, Pa. HIc entered Oberlin College, Lorain county,
Ohio, in 1846, having prepared in the pre- paratory department of the same institution, and graduated in 1850, pursuing the full course. During his college vacations he taught in public and select schools, and, for a year or more after his graduation, he was principal of the academy at Ashtabula, Ohio, and, for six months, principal of the Normal School at Farmington, in that State. IIe entered the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Pa., in 1851, graduating in April, 1854. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Ohio, June 13, 1854, and, in July following, was called to the colleague pastorate of what is now known as the Market Square Presbyterian church, at Har- risburg, Pa., as an associate with the Rev. Wilham R. DeWitt, D. D. He began his ministration in October, 1854, and was ordained and installed on the 21st of Jan- uary, 1855, by the Presbystery of Harris- burg. After the withdrawal of the Rev. Dr. De Witt, in 1864, and his decease, in 1867, he continued in sole charge of the church until his resignation, in IS84. He was moderator of the Synod of Pennsylvania (N. S.), in 1861 ; stated clerk of the Synod of Harrisburg, 1870-82, and stated clerk of the Synod of Pennsylvania, 1882-1883, when he resigned, and also his thirty years' pastorate of the Market Square church, Harrisburg, to accept the professorship of sacred rhetoric, church government, and pastoral theology, in the Western Theological Seminary, at Allegheny, into which office he was inducted April 16, 1884. He was a director of the seminary from 1874 to 1884, and was a trustee of Princeton College from 1875 to 1SS5. Resides in Allegheny City. Rev. Dr. Robinson married, in 1856, Mary Wolf Buchler, daughter of Henry Buchler and Anna Margaretta, only daughter of Governor Wolf, of Pennsylvania.
- WORLEY, REV. DANIEL, A. M., was born in Harrisburg, Pa., February 28, 1829, and died Sunday, April 29, 1SS8, at Canton, Stark county, Ohio. He was descended from Francis Worley, an intelligent English land surveyor, who in 1722 was one of the three persons sent across the Susquehanna by Sir William Keith, deputy governor of the province, to survey Springettsbury Manor. He first settled in Lancaster county, at the mouth of the Conestoga, subsequently disposing of this land, and purchased 750 acres one inile northwest of York. His wife
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was Ruth Collins, a Quakeress of Chester county, and although he was a member of the Episcopal Church, he adopted her faith. His sons were Nathan, James, Jacob, Francis, Daniel and George. Daniel's son, Thomas, resided many years in Harrisburg. where he died. Of his children, the subject of this sketch was the eldest. Daniel Worley received his early education in the public schools and academy in Harrisburg. En- tering Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, he completed a classical course, graduating in 1850. . Having the ministry in view, he repaired to Capitol University, Columbus, Ohio, where he began the study of theology. While doing so he accepted and filled the position of auditor two years, when he was prevailed upon to accept the position of pro- fessor of mathematics and natural sciences, which chair he occupied eleven years. In 1852, having completed his theological studies, he was licensed, and in 1855 ordained a minister of the Lutheran Church. In 1863 Mr. Worley resigned his professorship and took charge of an academy in Greensburg, Pa. The following year he was elected superintendent of the Canton, Ohio, public schools, and since that period has resided in Canton. In June, 1876, he retired from the superintendency and opened a private acad- emy in that city. In 1877 he represented Stark county in the Ohio Legislature, dur- ing which term he was chairman of the com- mittee of public schools and on the codifica- tion of school laws. He was recognized in that legislative body as a strong advocate of measures for the education of the masses and for the development of the resources of his adopted State. He filled quite a number of local offices, was a justice of the peace, mem- ber of council, school board and board of water works trustees. At the time of his death he held the office of deputy auditor for Stark county and president of the Canton council. During Mr. Worley's residence in Columbus of nine years he edited the Lutheran Standard, the organ of the Synod of the Lutheran Church. In his early life he fre- quently filled pulpits in various parts of the country, but several years since retired from all active ministerial work. Mr. Worley married, in 1852, Henrietta Smith, daughter of Professor William Smith, president of Capitol University and clergyman of the Lutheran Church, His widow and one son survive him.
It is proper that in giving the preceding
record of one who has ceased from his life- work, that some reference be made of the characteristics of the very excellent Christian gentleman, who was a native of our city, and whose entire life reflected honor upon it. The writer recollects him well as a scholar in the old log church on Third street, below Chestnut, and of his prominence in all branches then taught in the then boys' high school of the South ward. Two of the teachers, who recognized the intellectual acquirements of Daniel Worley, yet live --- one, Prof. L. Il. Gause, of this city ; the other, Dr. Samuel Nichols, of Bellows Falls, Ver- mont. He was at the head of all his classes, and so it was at the Pennsylvania College. He was not only a marvel in mathematics, but in other branches of study. Although a fluent speaker, an able debater, an ex- cellent sermonizer, Mr. Worley's forte was in teaching. He was a profound scholar, and . shed light upon every subject he undertook to expound. In his adopted State he was greatly esteemed, and few men were more potent for good. As an educator he had few equals, and his influence in this field will be felt in the years to come. His life was a strong and useful one.
-MCGOVERN, THE RIGHT REVEREND THOMAS, D. D., second bishop of Harris- burg, was born in the parish of Swanlibar, county Cavan, Ireland, A. D. 1832. His parents emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1833, and his father became a partner with his brother, John McGovern, of Lancaster, Pa., who came to America in 1813, served in the war against Great Britain, and after its con- clusion was engaged in contracting on canals and railroads. After the suspension of such improvements, consequent upon the collapse of the United States Bank, Edward MeGov- ern purchased a large tract of land in Albany township, Bradford county, Pa., and moved
his family there in the fall of 1842. Cease- less toil, constant privations, and the hospi- tality of a howling wilderness were then some of the attractions of a pioneer life. He had some money saved from his ventures in contracting, but money is not bread, where there is no supply, and in the first stage of existence in the forest is of as little use as it would have been to Adam and Eve when they left the garden of Eden. A house of round logs and four acres of cleared land were the home and the hope of the new settlers. The balance of the land
Atnite Publishing 2- Engraving COLLY
Thomas Mcgovern, Bp, of Harrisburg.
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was the domain of deer, bears, panthers and wolves. The maternal genius of the native forest extends with royal magnificence un- stinted hospitality to its sovereign; but, if he wishes to levy contributions on his subject, he must subdue the turbulent members of his empire. Every member of the family was from necessity a toiler. Little do the young of this generation realize the hardships of pio- neer life, even in their native county; and the prosperous of this day hardly ever ac- knowledge the deep debt of gratitude they owe to such heroic and unheralded man- hood.
The family consisted of John, Patrick, Bridget, Thomas, Bernard, Francis and Annie, five of whom still survive, Bridget and Francis having passed away, the latter in childhood. John and Patrick received a primary education in an academy in Leb- anon, Pa., Patrick subsequently spending a few terms in an academy at Catawissa, Coluni- bia county, Pa. Bridget was educated in a convent school, at Pottsville, Pa. These facts are given in order to explain how the younger members of the family had any means of learning the most rudimentary principles of education in the wild woods. In the long winter evenings, when the mon- arch pines were bending and moaning in the storm, and the wood-chopper's day of toil was over, the little school gathered around the open hearth, as large as a lime-kiln, and in the light of the big log fire, peered into learning's shallow fountains, spelling, read- ing, reciting, writing and figuring, till droop- ing eyelids told that school was out. Then followed night prayers, and the beads were told, the father leading and the whole family responding, then all went to rest, to renew their strength for the toils of the coming day. The education thus acquired was necessarily limited. Yet the love they bore to learning was not diminished. The system was prim- itive, and made the work the more laborious. Books were few and in consequence more thoroughly mastered. The parents did not occupy professor's chairs but they were the perfects of discipline, and the motive powers of the little university. As time rolled on, the professional schoolmaster appeared upon the stage. His confidence in himself and assurance in his qualifications where none were able to question his claim to superiority, were usually of no mean proportions. Look- ing back from this day, there was nothing small about him except his salary and learn-
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