USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Salisbury in Lancaster County > History of Jerusalem Lutheran and Reformed Church of Western Salisbury, Lehigh Co., Pa. : with complete records of all members of both congregations, baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials > Part 3
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A neighboring pastor writes of him thus: "As a minister he grew up among his people from youth to perfect manhood, onward even to extreme old age. The most of his members learned to regard him as their spiritual father, whom he had met and blessed in the different stages of life, for he had baptized a large number of them in infancy, confirmed many in youth, and married others in mature years, and buried not a few of them after the close of life, with the benediction of the Church. Though dead, he still lives in the memories of many pious and devoted friends who speak with feelings of grateful pleasure of his earnestness and fidelity as a minister of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the memory of the just. Well may we call him the grand old man of Salisbury."
A. J. G. DUBBS. BY S. K. WETZEL.
Alfred Joseph Getz Dubbs, the eldest son of Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs, D.D., and his wife Susan, nee Getz, was born in Windsor Township (now Perry), Berks County, Pa., on the 8th day of June, 1826. He was baptized in infancy by the Rev. Gottlieb Jaeger, a colleague of his father and an intimate friend of the family. The sponsors were Jacob Klein and his wife Mary.
A. J. G. Dubbs descended from a family which had been long identified with the Reformed Church. As tradition tells us they were, in the fifteenth century, followers of John Hus in his protest against the tyranny of Rome. During the wars which followed the martyrdom of that good man, they were compelled to flee from Bohemia to the Austrian province of Styria, where they are found settled as early as 1446. At the beginning of the Reformation a mem- ber of the family moved to Birmensdorf, Canton Zurich, Switzerland, where he worked in iron, and became a manufacturer of weapons. This man lost his life in the defense of his country at Cappel, on October 11, 1531, in the battle in which the great reformer Zwingli was killed. For many generations his de- scendants were known as "the gunsmiths of Birmensdorf." In 1732 Jacob Dubbs, a son of Jacob Dubbs and his wife Anna Glattly, gathered his little patrimony and moved to America. He took up a tract of Government land in what is now Lower Milford, Lehigh County, near the line of Bucks, where he became widely known as a worker in iron. His name appears on the earliest extant list of members of the Great Swamp Church. He had one only son, Daniel, who took up his father's business, and manufactured many of the
22
HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
weapons which were used during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Daniel Dubbs had six sons, and it is said that five were at different times elders of the church, and the sixth, Joseph S., the father of our sketch, became a minister of the Gospel.
From Windsor Joseph S. Dubbs moved to North Whitehall, near the site of the present village of Ironton. Here Alfred spent the days of his boyhood at- tending the schools in the neighborhood. In the Fall of 1840, he was sent to Easton to attend the school conducted by Rev. Dr. John Vanderveer. At the age of fifteen he was confirmed by his father, and admitted a member in the Reformed church at Egypt.
As he did not desire to enter a profession he determined to prepare himself for a business life. After working for several years in this direction, he became physically disabled and was induced by his father to return to school. He ac- cordingly, in the Spring of 1845, went to Mercersburg where Marshall College, the literary institution of the Reformed Church, was then located. Having pur- sued his studies in Marshall College until the Fall of 1849, he passed a ereditable examination at the close of the Junior year of his course and was regularly ad- mitted to the Senior Class. Still feeling a disinclination for a professional life, he was at this point persuaded to take charge of a select school, where he started several young men for a college course.
Not desiring to make teaching a permanent employment, the question con- cerning a vocation in life now assumed the greatest importance. He decided to enter the Christian Ministry. With this purpose he studied theology and in the Spring of 1851 appeared before the Classis of East Pennsylvania, at its annual session in Plainfield, Northampton County, where he was examined and licensed to preach the Gospel. He was ordained in the Fall of the same year in Zion's Reformed Church, Allentown.
He immediately received a call to preach English in Allentown, and in this capacity served one year.
In 1852 he became pastor in South Whitehall, Kreidersville, Friedens and Eastern Salisbury congregations. The following year Moore Township and Towamensing congregations were added. During this pastorate he supplied for a short time Reformed congregations at Weissport and Bethlehem. In the Spring of 1857 he accepted a call from the charge which Rev. Daniel Zeller had served for 42 years, consisting of the following congregations: Trexlertown, Millers- town, Western Salisbury, Upper Milford and Friedensville. He served this charge for fourteen years, when at his suggestion it was divided by running the boundary line between the East Pennsylvania and Goshenhoppen Classis through its territory.
He then accepted a call from the first three named congregations which he served till 1876, when he resigned to take charge of a proposed mission at Allen- -
23
THE SALISBURY REFORMED CONGREGATION
town, and a similar one at Emaus. St. John's congregation at Emaus was or- ganized by Rev. Dubbs, and the present union church was built during his pas- torate.
On April 1, 1876, he assumed charge of the mission in Allentown from which Salem's Church is derived, and in nine anonths he had organized a congre- gation and had built a church which was dedicated on Christmas Day of the same year. Dr. Dubbs was pastor of Salem's Church for sixteen years, and during this time increased its membership to over twelve hundred. In 1892, on account of impaired health, he resigned, leaving to his successor one of the largest churches in the city of Allentown, free of debt and in excellent condition.
In the year 1874 the honorary degree of A.M. was conferred upon him by Franklin and Marshall College, and in 1885 he received the title of D.D. from the same institution. Dr. Dubbs was married on the 18th day of October, 1853, to Maria Schreiber. She entered her heavenly reward on the 23d day of January, 1894. They had one daughter, who died in infancy.
Dr. Dubbs died November 7, 1897, aged 71 years, 4 months and 29 days. He lies buried in West End Cemetery, Allentown, Pa.
THOMAS N. REBER.
Thomas N. Reber, a son of Rev. Joel L. Reber and his wife Elvina M., daughter of the sainted Rev. Thomas H. Leinbach, was born at Jonestown, Lebanon County, Pa., when his father was the pastor of the Reformed church at that place, in the year 1847. When he was less than 9 years of age he became an orphan and although his father had two brothers who were clergymen and his mother had three brothers who served in the ministry, he nevertheless had an aversion to preparing himself for the clerical profession. Having at the age of nine years become a member of an unele's family at Reading, Pa., he shared in the advantages of the school life of the city. Being prepared for the teaching of country schools he became a schoolmaster for nine consecutive terms. He was a student at Mercersburg and at Palatinate College at Myerstown and found his way into the Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., in the year 1873, where he entered into a pursuance of those studies necessary for the Gospel Ministry. Finally as a member of the Senior Class he was requested by Rev. Alfred J. G. Dubbs, D.D., to preach for the Salzburg congregation on February 20, 1876. Dr. Dubbs con- templating his resignation as pastor with a view of organizing Salem's congrega- tion at Allentown, Pa., Mr. Reber was again requested by the consistory to preach a trial sermon on March 29 following. It resulted in a nearly unanimous call. On Easter Sunday, April 16, as a member of the Senior Class of the Seminary he preached again for this people. On May 28 following he officiated at his first funeral service in the Salzburg congregation, it being Philip Schmoyer, who at the age of 71 years, 1 month and 9 days had laid himself down to sleep the last sleep of death. Mr. Sehmoyer had been one of the representative members of the church at that time, The passage of Scripture used as the funeral text way
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HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
John 8:51. The pulpit was served as licentiate regularly after the close of the Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., until July 23, 1876, when he was installed as pastor by Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs, D.D., and Rev. Samuel A. Leinbach, and from that time on was the ex-officio pastor of the Salzburg Reformed Congregation. On August 6th he preached his introductory sermon, basing his remarks on Aets 10:29-33. The entire number of his regular sermons was 420. His last sermon was given on August 14, 1892, basing his remarks on I Corinthians 16:10, which from all indications has borne fruit as far as is known, since faith, hope and love seem to be the predominating features of the membership.
That the congregation, 170 years old, may still continue to grow in all things necessary for an eternal inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away is the wish of a former pastor.
THOMAS N. REBER.
REV. CHARLES E. SCHAEFFER.
Clergyman ; born in Fleetwood, Pa., December 26, 1867; son of John S. Schaeffer and Magdalena (Peters) Schaeffer. He was educated in the Keystone Normal School and Franklin and Marshall College, graduating as A.B. in 1889, and from the Theological Seminary at Lancaster in 1892. He married at Lein- bach's Pa., November 1, 1892, Carrie S. Leinbach, and they have three children : John, born in 1893; Paul, born in 1897, and Mary, born in 1902. He was licensed to preach June 8, 1892, and ordained June 19, 1892; became pastor at Macungie, Pa., including Emaus and Salisbury, 1892-1896; pastor at Norristown, Pa., 1896- 1898, and pastor at Reading, St. Mark's Reformed Church, 1898-1909.
In 1908 he was called to the office of General Superintendent of the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed Church in the United States, with offices in the Reformed Church Building, Philadelphia, Pa. He is Editor of the Young People's Christian Endeavor Column in the Reformed Church Messenger, and also Joint-Editor of the Outlook of Missions. In June, 1910, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Heidelberg University, Tiffin, Ohio. He resides at 201 West Oley Street, Reading, Pa.
REV. PRESTON A. DELONG.
Rev. Preston Alfred DeLong was born at Roekdale, Lehigh County, Pa., January 14, 1873. In his youth, his parents removed to Allentown, where he graduated from the High School in the year 1889. In the Fall of 1890 he entered the Freshman Class of Muhlenberg College to prepare himself for the Gospel Ministry, where he remained for two years and then went to Franklin and Marshall College, from which institution he graduated in the year 1894 with second honor and the valedietory. In the Fall of the same year he entered the Theological Seminary at Lancaster and graduated in the Spring of 1897. He was examined and licensed to preach the Gospel by Lehigh Classis in session in St. John's Church, Emaus, Pa., the same year and at once accepted a call from
25
THE SALISBURY REFORMED CONGREGATION.
the Salisbury charge, which he had supplied during the last years of his theo- logical course. His ordination and installation took place in the Salisbury Church, June 13, 1897, the committee consisting of G. B. Smith, Thomas Reber and J. D. Fritzinger. Rev. DeLong also supplied Grace Church, South Allen- town, and for two years taught German in the Allentown College for Women in addition to his regular pastoral work. After a pastorate of about two and one- half years he resigned to accept a call from the Huntingdon Church. From there he went to Zion's Church, Chambersburg, and at the present time is actively engaged in the work of the pastorate in the Watsontown charge.
REV. J. P. BACHMAN.
Rev. J. P. Bachman was born at Lynnville, Lehigh County, Pa., June 14, 1868. He is a son of Stephen Bachman and his wife Caroline (nee Fetherolf). In his boyhood days he worked on the farm during the Summer months, and during the Winter months he attended the public schools of the township. He taught public school for four terms. In 1890 he entered the Sophomore Class at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., from which he graduated with honors in 1893. He graduated from the Theological Seminary in 1896. The same year he became pastor of Paradise Charge (Trontville, Pa.), Pittsburg Synod. This charge he served for three years. He assumed the pastorate of the Salisbury Charge (which at the time consisted of Jerusalem of Western Salis- bury, St. John's of Emaus, and St. Mark's of South Allentown), January 1, 1900, and served it until May 1, 1908. From May 1, 1908, to April, 1911, he was pastor of the Reformed Church, Mulberry, Ind. Since April, 1911,he has been pastor of St. Stephen's Reformed Church, Perkasie, Pa.
REV. JOHN BAER STOUDT.
Rev. John Baer Stoudt was born in Maxatawny Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1878, being the second son of John R. and Amanda Baer Stoudt. On both his paternal and material sides he comes from pioneer Reformed families. His great great great great grandfather, John Michael Stoudt, was one of the founders of the Berne Reformed Congregation, and his great great great grandfather, Johannes Baer, was one of the founders of the Ziegel Reformed Congregation. He was baptized by Rev. A. J. Herman and con- firmed by Rev. M. II. Brensinger. After attending the public schools and high school at Fleetwood he attended the Keystone Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1900. Prior to graduation he had been employed as a teacher for two years. After graduation he taught one more year and then returned to Normal School at Kutztown to prepare himself for college entrance. He entered the Sophomore Class in Franklin and Marshall College in the Fall of 1902 and was graduated in 1905. While in college he was a member of Goethean Literary Society and represented both his society and Alma Mater in a number of class, society, collegiate and inter-collegiate literary and oratorical contests. In six of
1
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HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
these contests he was awarded first prize, in one second, and in two third. In the Fall of 1905 he entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church at Lancaster, from which he was graduated with honors May 14, 1908, and on June 3 was examined and licensed by the Reverend Classis of Lehigh, at its annual meeting at Jacksonville, Pa. During the Summer of 1906 he studied theology in the University of Chicago. He accepted a call from the Salisbury Charge, Lehigh Classis, and was ordained to the Holy Ministry and installed in St. Mark's Church, South Allentown, Pa., September 28, 1908. The committee con- sisted of Rev. M. H. Brensinger, Rev. Thomas HI. Kriek, and Rev. T. N. Reber. He served the Salisbury charge for about two and one-half years, during which time the membership was materially increased, the charge divided, English morn- ing services introduced, and the contribution both for congregational and benevo- lent purposes doubled. Having received a call from Grace Reformed Congrega- tion, Northampton, he resigned as pastor of this charge and on February 8, 1911, removed to Northampton. On the evening of the same day the joint consistory of the charge met and unanimously adopted the following resolutions :
"WHEREAS, It has pleased our esteemed and respected pastor, Rev. John B. Stoudt, to sever his pastoral relations with us in order that he may enter into a larger and more remunerative field, therefore be it
"Resolved, That we the joint consistory of the Salisbury charge, with the congregations, hereby express our deep sorrow we felt when we learned of his in- tention to leave us.
"Resolved, That although his action has pained us, we wish to express our appreciation for the faithful and conscientious work which he performed for our general and spiritual welfare, while he was with us, in that he has made the church stronger, both numerically as well as financially.
"Resolved, That while Salisbury charge loses, the Christian Church in general will gain by his going into a larger field where he can continue his noble work, and we congratulate Grace Reformed congregation of Northampton, Pa., which has been so fortunate in securing his services.
"Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes and that one copy be presented to our former pastor."
By the Consistory of the Salisbury charge,
Emaus, Pa., February 8, 1911.
Cnas. P. HeGGER, Scerctary.
Rev. Stoudt was married to Elizabeth A. Delong, a daughter of Joseph and Mary HI. DeLong, of Topton, Pa., October 15, 1908. Mrs. Stoudt is a great great great granddaughter of Peter Dehong, the founder of Christ ( Delong's) Re- formed Congregation, Bower's, Pa. This union, is blessed by one son, John Joseph, born March 11. 1911.
27
THE SALISBURY REFORMED CONGREGATION.
DANIEL E. SCHAEFFER.
Daniel E. Schaeffer, the youngest son of John S. Schaeffer and his wife Magdalena (Peters) Schaeffer, was born October 26, 1872, in Richmond Town- ship, Berks County, Pa. He spent his early days on the farm. Attended the public schools of his native township and the Keystone State Normal School, where he prepared for College. He entered Franklin and Marshall College in the Fall of 1892, graduating in June, 1895. He graduated from the Theological Seminary at Lancaster in May, 1898. He was licensed to preach the Gospel by Lehigh Classis and ordained in Gernant's Church of the Leesport charge, July 24, 1898. He served this charge for a period of thirteen years, 1898-1911. On May 7, 1911, he began his pastorate of the Salisbury charge and now resides at Emaus, Pa. He was married to Annie A. Schaeffer in the year 1895, and is the father of six children. He is a brother of Rev. C. E. Schaeffer, a former pastor of the Salisbury charge.
Retrospect.
One hundred and seventy-six years of history lie behind the Reformed Con- gregation of Western Salisbury. Hither to the region of Macungie, then spoken of as the "end of the wilderness," had come prior to 1734 a few German families who for the peace and comfort vouchsafed by the Heidelberg Catechism, had left their homes in the Fatherland and found an asylum in the land of the Penns. Having come to Pennsylvania for the sake of religion, but having no one to ad- minister to their spiritual wants, they, through the pen of Rev. John Philip Boehm, appealed to the Reverend Christian Synod of Holland, who in response sent them a shepherd. In 1741 the hill which they had selected upon which to erect an altar, before which to pour out their hearts in prayer to God, was crowned with a house of worship. Their names have mostly been forgotten. Many of their tombstones have crumbled into dust, and others the elements have so effaced that their names are no longer legible. But the congregation they founded has remained a living testimony to their faith, a faith which they not only kept themselves but taught to their children, who again taught it to their children, so that through the strange mutations which time wrought in the politi- cal realm, the congregation has continued. Though it has been her fortune never to become a large congregation, she was permitted in the providence of God to become that which is even better, the mother of not a few congregations which to-day far ont-number the mother church, and to be a radiating center of those beneficent influences which make a family and a State blessed.
In the cemeteries adjoining sleep the hundreds who were born in the bosom of the congregation who worshipped here, and when their eyes closed in blessed sleep were buried here. "What better thing can we do after all than labor, live, and die for Christ, who died for us? Kingdoms and empires may rise and fall
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HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
like the fabric of a vision that leaves no rock behind, but the Church of Jesus Christ outlives all the changes of history. At the approaching festival for which this brief sketch was prepared, let us be thankful that we belong to the kingdom . of God which abideth forever, and let us review our vows, and manifest through the coming years and unto our dying hour our heartfelt gratitude for the great salvation of our faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who 'has delivered us from all our sins and miseries' and 'makes all things work-together for our salvation,' and eternal happiness, and trusting that we shall be led to further manifestations of His love and merey, until we all shall meet in the general assembly of the first born on high where
" 'The saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet ; While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul !"
Reformed Members. List of Communicants, May 15, 1796. Earliest of Record-Rev. Henrich Hoffmeyer.
Peter Bogert,
Friedrich Knaus,
Magdelana Mebus,
Michael Wieri (Bieri),
Maria Flecher,
Elizabeth Klein,
Peter F'inek,
Mutilie Andreas,
Maria Feder,
Elizabeth Finek,
Anna Maria Steinberger,
Anna Bogert,
Hannes Wieder,
Elizabeth Kuhler,
Anna Maria Kemmer,
Henrick Feder,
Christiena Neidlinger,
Elizabeth Goebel,
Jacob Büri,
Susanna Nigs,
Magdelana Bogert,
Honnes F'eder,
Maria Sanetmann.
List of Communicants, April 2, 1820. First Communion Celebrated in New Church-Rev. D. Zeller.
Johannas Bogert,
Samuel Staut, Catharina Schiffert,
David Deschler,
Heinrich Wieder, Anna Maria Finck,
Johannas Marek,
Jesaias Glück,
Lidia Ritter,
Herman Mohr,
Carl Deschler,
Maria Andres,
Heinrich Diefenderfer,
George Reinhard,
Maria Lazarus,
Johannas Willauer,
Solomon Wieder,
Susanna Taubert,
Hartman Reinhart,
Jacob Bogert,
Maria Flexer,
Jacob Wieaut,
David Deschler,
Barbara David,
Jacob Mohr,
Daniel färg, Margaret Willaner,
Johannas Schwarz,
Johannas Schmidt,
Elizabeth Jacoby,
Heinrich Birry,
Catherina Keck,
Elizabeth Schwarz,
REV. DANIEL, F. SCHAEFFER
29
THE SALISBURY REFORMED CONGREGATION.
Heinrich Staut,
Elizabeth Dut,
Lea Wieder, Christina Wieder,
Adam Brader,
Anna Maria Klein,
Elias Wiant,
Anna Bogert,
Maria Wieder,
Walatin Wieder,
Anna Ritter,
Maria Staut,
Johannas Dony,
Elizabeth Klein,
Elizabeth Deschler,
Adam Wieder,
Magdalena Keck, Elizabeth Weidman,
Hannah Willauer, Franica Bogert,
Abraham Brom, Johannas Jacoby,
Catherina Weidman,
Franica Dorny,
Johannas Jacoby,
Catharina Birry,
Lidia Bogert,
Anna Margaret Ritter, Anna Romig,
List of Present Members.
MALE.
Baer, Clarence,
Clauser, Jonathan,
Haas, William,
Clauser, Marcus, Keller, George,
Biery, E. Stanley,
Biery, John N.,
Confer, Oliver M., Keller, Edwin C.,
Biery, Philip,
Confer, Herbert D.,
Knauss, Henry M.,
Bieber, Henry G.,
Confer, William R.,
Knauss, Charles P.,
Conrad, Ralph G., Knauss, Thomas,
('reveling, John P., Sr.,
Knedler, Harry,
Bieber, Morris S.,
Creveling, John P., Jr.,
Landenschlager, Elmer O.,
Bieber, Harry S.,
Bieber, Willard J.,
Bieber, Ira S.,
Esterly, Bryan G., Esterly, Panl B.,
Miller, Oscar J., Millhouse, Allen,
Bieber, Walter,
Esterly, Charles R.,
Millhouse, Charles, Nearhouse, George,
Ortt, Jacob, Orti, Selton M., Ortt, Lesher J.,
Bogert, John W. H.,
Bogert, Victor H.,
Bogert, Clinton J.,
Bogert, Roman, Bogert, Charles V., Bogert, Thomas S., Butz, Robert J. S., Clauser, George, Clauser, William, Clauser, Frank,
Gensenleiter, Harvey J., Greenawald, Lephenns, Guth, Frank C., Heller, Nathan,
Ilvist, William, Helfrich, Werley J. F., Ilottenstein, William, Hoffert, William,
Rehm, Jacob II.,
Reinhard, John P.,
Reinhard, J. Augustus, Reinhard, Henry N., Reinhard, Charles, Reinhard, John,
Reinhard, Jacob J., Reinhard, Harvey,
-
Bieber, George H.,
Bieber, John R.,
Dorney, James G.,
Mareks, Edwin,
Eisenhard, Charles W. H., Masters, Fred,
Bieber, Clarence,
Bieber, Charles,
Fehler, William,
Bleiler, Gideon,
Bogert, George,
Feliler, Harvey P., Fehler, George L., Censenleiter, John,
Gensenleiter, William S., Ortt, John A.,
i
Jonathan Birry, Stoffel Weidman, Johannas Reinhard,
Christina Kemmerer,
Susanna Weber,
Anna Otila Andres,
Biery, James W.,
Confer, David, Keller, David,
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HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
Reinhard, Victor A., Smith, Titus,
Reinhard, Oliver H.,
Smith, Edwin H.,
Reinhard, Veritus,
Smith, Benjamin,
Stuber, Oliver,
Romich, Henry L.,
Stephen, Benjamin,
Tice, Charles,
Romich, Morris,
Stephen, Jonathan,
Roth, Owen A.,
Stephen, Wilson J.,
Roth, Frank,
Stephen, Harry J.,
Wieder, Tilghman, Wieder, Wellington, Wieder, Charles,
Sehmoyer, Frank D., Stephen, Ehner E.,
Schmoyer, Victor C., Stephen, Jonathan H.,
Wetzel, Seranus K.,
Sehmoyer, Sylvester C. O.,Stephen, Charles,
Wetzel, Anson J. J.,
Sehmoyer, Venus M., Stephen, Milton M.,
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