Obits: Ursinus College Obituary Record, 1917: Montgomery Co, PA
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URSINUS COLLEGE OBITUARY RECORD
A record of the lives of the deceased alumni of Ursinus
College and of the Ursinus School of Theology
Compiled by the Committee:
WILLIAM H. ERB, Chairman
C.A. BUTZ
WM. U. HELFRICH
Vol. I
Collegeville, Pa.
Published by the Alumni Association of Ursinus College
1917
What is life? - A fleeting phantom,
Passing swiftly with the years, -
Passing ever, oft at random,
Down the vale of smiles and tears -
Through the vale of joys and sorrows,
Bringing pleasure, bringing pain, -
Swiftly passing, never staying,
Passing, ne'er to come again.
- Granville H. Meixell, 1890
PREFACE
The work assigned to this committee to prepare and to publish an Obituary
Records of the deceased alumni of Ursinus College is accomplished. The
material and data for the outlines were gathered from every available
source. Some of the sketches are fuller and more in detail than others. In
some instances, the committee was unable to secure the desired information,
resulting in a few rather meager and incomplete outlines. There may be also
inaccuracies. The committee realizes the impossibility of having all data
correct; and invites criticism and especially corrections, which, if of
sufficient importance, will be incorporated in future editions.
The co-operation of every alumnus of the collegiate and the theological
departments is desired and is essential for fuller and more accurate editions
of the Record in the future. It would be of great value, if the college
authorities would secure from every student, before he is graduated, a
complete outline of his life. It is natural for a college and for her
graduates that they desire to preserve an accurate record of the lives of the
alumni. Such a record is a part of the history of an institution.
The alumni of Ursinus College, as is true of the alumni of any other
institution, are united more or less by a unique relation. There is a union
of heart, mind and aim, the result of years of association, of training and
of influence of similar environment, that should be cultivated and respected.
The achievements of an alumnus are appreciated by his fellow-alumni, who are
themselves honored thereby to a certain degree by the public.
Ursinus College was founded by a body of men, whose purposed was to
establish "an institution where the youth of the land can be liberally
educated under the benign influence of Christianity." Ruled by this desire,
they chose the name URSINUS, one of the most distinguished reformers and
scholars of the sixteenth century, as the name of their institution of
learning. The college was incorporated by the Legislature of Pennsylvania,
February 5, 1869; and five days later, the corporation was organized at a
meeting of the directors in the city of Philadelphia. The Board of Directors
purchased the property of Freeland Seminary at Collegeville, as the place was
later named; and instruction was begun on September 6, 1870. In 1881, the
college became a co-educational institution. The Academy was discontinued as
a department of the institution June 8, 1910.
The Ursinus School of Theology was organized on June 1, 1871, and opened for
instruction the following September. The school was conducted at Collegeville
in connection with the college till 1898, when it was removed to
Philadelphia. On March 8,1907, a Compact of Union was ratified by the
directors, by which the instruction of the School of Theology is conducted in
the Central Theological Seminary, located at Dayton, Ohio.
Almost seven hundred men and women have been graduated from this
institution, and nearly one-tenth of this number have died. These men and
women, who have gone forth from Ursinus College, have testified to the
thoroughness of training and to the practicability of equipment received. As
a rule they have added honor and fame to their Alma Mater. Some of the
deceased alumni, whose life-sketches are outlined in these pages, have had
but a brief period to prove their sterling qualities. To learn how talented
and well-trained fellow-alumni, qualified for usefulness, are cut down by
death in their best and most hopeful years, emphasizes anew the unalterable
fact that life is brief and uncertain; and that to make the most of life,
promptness in action and perseverance in toil are essential.
We do not wish to estimate the degree and the measure of success attained by
most of the alumni, nor to enumerate the defects and shortcomings of the few
that have failed. That is not the purpose of this introduction. The success
of the many demonstrates the value of a collegiate training when coupled with
a noble character; while the failure of the few does not discredit
educational training, but proves the necessity of an upright character.
The average age of the deceased alumni, whose sketches we have outlined, is
sadly brief, but 41 years and 6 months. The youngest deceased alumnus is
Rufus Baney, of the class of 1880, who died at the age of 19 years, 10 months
and 3 days; and the oldest deceased alumnus is the Rev. Henry Seiple, a
graduate of the theological department in 1873, who had reached the age of 65
years, 8 months and 5 days.
Of the deceased alumni, thirty-three had entered the gospel ministry, four
of these serving in the Presbyterian Church and three in the Lutheran; nine
followed a business career; four had studied law; eight were teachers in
public schools and in higher institutions of learning; and five had entered
the medical profession.
The arrangement of the sketches of the deceased alumni is according to the
year of their death. An alphabetical index of the names is appended. We
have also prefixed a few pages containing the names of the deceased alumni
arranged according to their classes.
The committee highly appreciated the prompt responses and ready assistance
of many. Only in a few instances were we denied the information desired. We
are especially indebted to Prof. Calvin D. Yost, of the faculty of Ursinus
College, for valuable assistance. Because of his willingness and promptness
to aid was the work of the committee considerably lightened. We are also
indebted to the various periodicals of the Reformed Church, from whose
columns liberal extracts have been made. It would be an act of injustice on
the part of the committee not to mention of the information received from the
late Rev. John E. Stone, who for many years had been the historian of the
Alumni Association and had gathered much material.
THE COMMITTEE
January 20, 1917
DECEASED ALUMNI
~~~~~
1873.
Rev. Prof. John Allison Foil, A.M., Ph.D.,
Died November 28, 1912, aged 64.
Rev. Martin Luther Fritch, A.M.,
Died November 10, 1900, aged 56.
Rev. Reuben Rahauser,
Died June 13, 1897, aged 60.
Jacob Andrew Strassburger, Esq., A.M.,
Died March 30, 1908, aged 58.
Rev. Henry Franklin Seipel, Esq., A.B.,
Died October 22, 1908, aged 65.
1874.
Rev. Milton H. Groh, A.M.,
Died January 12, 1896, aged 42.
Rev. Jacob G. Neff., A.M.,
Died August 27, 1906, aged 57.
Rev. Prof. Moses Peters, A.M., B.D.,
Died September 10, 1906, aged 55.
Aaron M. Tice, A.M.,
Died August 12, 1893, aged 49.
1875.
Rev. Adam Boley,
Died 1897.
Rev. F. F. Christine,
Died June 12, 1905, aged 56.
Rev. Leighton G. Kremer, A.B.,
Died August 25, 1890, aged 38.
Rev. Prof. John H. Sechler, A.M.,D.D.,
Died April 12, 1905, aged 54.
1876.
Rev. Charles Hamilton Coon, A.M.,D.D.,
Died January 28, 1909, aged 53.
Freeland G. Hobson, Esq., A.M., LL.D.,
Died January 10, 1906, aged 48.
Rev. Mahlon H. Mishler,
Died September 6, 1910, aged 56.
1877.
Rev. James Willoughby Mabry, A.M.,
Died May 16, 1900, aged 46.
1878.
Rev. John Jacob Fisher, A.M., D.D.,
Died January 22, 1913, aged 57.
Henry A. Mathieu, A.B.,
Died December 14, 1908, aged 53.
Lewis Collard Royer, A.B.,
Died January 6, 1903, aged 43.
Rev. Levi D. Stambaugh,
Died December 3, 1909, aged 58.
1879.
Rev. Franklin S. Dietrich, A.M.,
Died June 11, 1889, aged 36.
Rev. Nevin W. Helffrich, A.M.,
Died April 20, 1906, aged 50.
Rev. Aaron Frank Kraut, A.B.,
Died May 18, 1889, aged 35.
Rev. William Henry Super Lecron, A.B.,
Died November 28, 1881, aged 29.
Daniel B. Markley, A.B.,
Died March 13, 1882, aged 21.
Rev. Albert Rhodes Thompson,
Died June 22, 1894, aged 43.
Rev. James B. Umberger, D.D.,
Died December 10, 1914, aged 58.
1880.
Rufus J. Baney, B.S.,
Died February 7, 1882, aged 19.
Alexander S. Keyser, A.B.,
Died February 25, 1893, aged 37.
1881.
Hon. Edwin Shields Snively, B.S.,
Died September 25, 1912, aged 48.
1882.
Augustus W. Bomberger, Esq., A.M.,
Died April 25, 1916, aged 51.
Louis Edward Taubel, A.B., M.D.,
Died April 26, 1909, aged 46.
1883.
George W. Wolfsberger, M.S.,
Died October 21, 1892, aged 27.
1885.
Rev. Samuel Hillton Phillips., A.M.,
Died July 9, 1895, aged 32.
1887.
Prof. P. Calvin Mensch, M.D., Ph.D.,
Died July 30, 1901, aged 37.
Rev. John Allen Mertz, A.M.,
Died July 9, 1916, aged 60.
1888.
Rev. Calvin U. O. Derr, A.B., B.D.,
Died March 12, 1897, aged 33.
1889.
Ernest H. Longstreth, A.M.,
Died March 30, 1900, aged 33.
1890.
Albert H. Eberly, A.B.,
Died February 4, 1902.
Prof. Granville Henry Meixell, A.M.,
Died January 20, 1902, aged 37.
Ralph Royer, B.S.,
Died June 13, 1911, aged 42.
1891.
Ada Elizabeth (Schwenk) Kehl, B.L.,
Died August 23, 1901, aged 30.
William R. Smith, A.B., M.D.,
Died March 14, 1916, aged 45.
1892.
Thomas E. Kalbach, A.B.,
Died May 27, 1906, aged 36.
Rev. Thomas H. Medd, A.B., B.D.,
Died April 8, 1905, aged 38.
1894.
Rev. Frank Nelson Bleiler,
Died February 27, 1900, aged 35.
Rev. Henry Frederick Witzel, A.B.,
Died November 4, 1897, aged 26.
1896.
Rev. Edward Miller Scheirer, A.B.,
Died June 11, 1904, aged 32.
1898.
Stanley Hendricks Casselberry, A.B.,
Died February 10, 1902, aged 23.
1899.
William Oscar Xander, A.B., M.D.,
Died September 7, 1902, aged 35.
1900.
Rev. John Edward Stone, A.B.,
Died May 20, 1916, aged 40.
1901.
Robert Solomon Appel, A.B.,
Died September 9, 1906, aged 24.
Oscar Walker Hunsicker, A.B.,
Died February 26, 1907, aged 28.
Prof. William Samuel Keiter, A.B.,
Died May 19, 1915, aged 45.
Rev. Vernon Spurgeon Rice, A.B.,
Died April 7, 1911, aged 35.
1902.
George Joel Henry, A.B., M.D.,
Died November 7, 1908, aged 26.
1904.
Harvey Stauffer Gottshall, A.B.,
Died June 3, 1914, aged 35.
1905.
David Ramson Wise, A.B.,
Died February 18, 1916, aged 31.
1909.
Ernest T. Miller, A.B.,
Died June 14, 1912, aged 23.
Sarah Mabel Spangler, A.B.,
Died December 21, 1909, aged 21.
1910.
Frederick Mahlon Fogelman, B.S.,
Died June 3, 1910, aged 26.
1912.
Roy Franklin Kichline, B.S.,
Died January 30, 1915, aged 24.
~~~~~
ABSTRACTS
OF THE OBITUARIES
Abstracts done by the transcriptionist
from complete obituaries in the record.
~~~~~
REV. WILLIAM HENRY SUPER LECRON, A.B., 1852-1881, Classes of 1879 and 1881
THEOLOGY
Born in Washington Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 4 November 1852,
son of Samuel and Maria Lecron. Baptized in infancy by Rev. W. H. Super,
whose name he bore. Licensed to preach by the Philadelphia Classis in the
spring of 1881, he preached in Greencastle, Mont Alto and Waynesboro churches
in the summer of 1881. Stricken with a virulent form of typhoid fever, he
died 28 November 1881. Interment in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro,
Pennsylvania.
RUFUS J. BANEY, B.S., 1862-1882, Class of 1880.
Born on the Baney homestead near Myerstown, Pennsylvania, on 4 April 1862,
son of Jacob and Lovina (Walbert) Baney. Prepared for college at Palatinate
College; graduated from Ursinus with a B.S. degree in 1880. A bookkeeper in
his father's office, he was afflicted with malaria and died 7 February
1882. Interment in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Myerstown, Pennsylvania.
DANIEL B. MARKLEY, A.B., 1860-1882, Class of 1879.
Born at New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 15 November 1860, son
of Augustus and Charlotte Bertolet Markley. Studied theology at Lutheran
Seminary at Mt. Airy from 1881-1882. Died of inflammatory rheumatism at his
home near Fegleysville, Pennsylvania 13 March 1882, during his senior year.
Interment at God's Acre adjoining the old historical Swamp Church.
REV. FRANK AARON KRAUT, A.B., 1853-1889, Classes of 1879 and 1881 THEOLOGY
Born in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, 28
August 1853, son of Josiah and Hannah Kraut. Attended public schools in the
village of Stone Church, Northampton County and prepared for college at
Ursinus Academy. Licensed to preach in 1881 but was stricken with paralysis
before beginning his ministry. Taught public school at Centreville during
the winter 1888-89 term and at a private school at Stone Church,
Pennsylvania. Married Louisa Reimer, 28 August 1879. Children include
Bertha, Victoria, Louisa, and Blaine Williard Kraut. Interred at Stone
Church cemetery.
REV. FRANKLIN S. DIETRICH, A.B., 1853-1889, Class of 1879.
Born in Albany Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1853. Following
college preparation at Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, and Ursinus
Academy, he taught in Berks County public schools for several years, then
entered Ursinus College in 1875 and graduated in 1879 with A.B. degree.
Graduated 1882 from Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia,
and was ordained in St. John's English Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, 5 June
1882. Left New York 16 October 1882 to serve as a missionary at Rajahmundry,
India, and later had charge of Dowlaishwaram and Jegurupah districts. Died of
fever 11 June 1889. Interment at the Mission Cemetery 11 June 1889.
REV. LEIGHTON G. KREMER, A.B., 1852-1890, Class of 1875.
Born 1852 at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, son of Rev. F. W. Kremer, D.D., and
Margaretta Keller Kremer. F. W. Kremer, a Reformed Church minister, was
struck by a passenger train 14 June 1889, while heading a funeral
procession. Leighton Kremer studied at Union Theological Seminary in New
York. After taking charge of the Spring City and East Vincent congregations
of Montgomery and Chester Counties, he died 25 August 1890, and was interred
at Shepherdstown, West Virginia, near the home of his wife, on 28 August
1890. Survived by widow Mamie L. Reynolds, whom he married 9 December 1886
at Duffields, West Virginia, and two children.
GEORGE W. WOLFSBERGER, M.S., 1865-1892, Class of 1883.
Born 22 February 1865 at Campbelltown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, son of
John Henry and Kate Wolfsberger. Married 12 September 1890 to Bertha
Hendrickson of Wilmington, Delaware; no children. Died of typhoid fever 21
October 1892 while preparing for his final examination at Jefferson Medical
College. Interment at Campbelltown.
REV. ALEXANDER S. KEYSER, A.B., Class of 1880 and 1882 THEOLOGY
Born 3 September 1855 at Lyons Station, Berks County, Pennsylvania, the son
of Harry and Eliza Wetzel Keyser. A preacher at Pottsville for two years, he
then preached in congregations near Myerstown, serving Klopp's, Lenartville,
and Grimsville congregations, and at the time of his death was in charge of
an independent congregation at Hamburg, PA. Died of a complication of
diseases 25 February 1893. Married Hattie Gerber; two daughters and one son.
[Note from descendant of Rev. Keyser: Alexander's wife was
Harriet (Hattie) Frances GARBER, not Gerber. Also, the names of his three children,
Roy N. Keiser, D.D., Edith May Keiser Massey and Mabel Minerva Keiser Strahan.
Notice the spelling changed from Keyser to Keiser with his children's
generation. It actually was changed during the lifetime of Alexander's
widow who never remarried. From: Janet Strahan West Wstjs@aol.com]
PROF. AARON M. TICE, A.M., 1844-1893, Class of 1874.
Born 4 April 1844, one of 13 children born to Michael and Catherine Noecher
Tice, on his father's farm near Myerstown, PA. Awarded a diploma from
Fairbanks Business College, Philadelphia, in 1866. Attended Palatinate
College, 1869-1872, entering Ursinus College as a junior in 1872. Public
school teacher, elected principal of Ursinus Academy in 1874, adjunct
professor of mathematics at Ursinus College from 1879-1885; he resigned and
operated a stationery business at Lebanon from 1885-1891. Died of
tuberculosis 12 August 1893; interred in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
REV. ALBERT RHODES THOMPSON, 1851-1894, Class of 1879 THEOLOGY
Born near Clover Creek, Blair County, Pennsylvania, 10 February 1851, son and
oldest of 14 children born to William and Catherine Rhodes Thompson. Licensed
by the Philadelphia Classis at Norristown on 9 June 1879; ordained and
installed 5 October 1879 pastor of St. Paul's Church, Chester County. After
several appointments, he moved to Collegeville, where he died 22 June 1894.
Married to Melissa J. Rosenberger; five sons and three daughters. Interred
27 June 1894 at Trinity Reformed Church cemetery, Collegeville.
REV. SAMUEL HILLTON PHILLIPS, A.M., 1863-1895, Classes of 1885 and 1887
THEOLOGY
Son of George W. and Mary Phillips, born 3 June 1863 near Johnsonville,
Pennsylvania. Licensed and ordained in 1887; a pastor of Durham charge,
Bucks County. Traveled in Europe and Palestine in 1889. Died from blood
poisoning 9 July 1895. Interred 13 July 1895 at Stone Church cemetery,
Northampton County.
REV. MILTON H. GROH, A.M., 1853-1896, Classes of 1874 and 1876 THEOLOGY
Born at Myerstown, Pennsylvania, 19 December 1853, son of John A. and
Priscilla Elizabeth Groh. Licensed to preach by Lebanon Classis, Eastern
Synod, 8 June 1876. Worked as a pastor and later as a subscription agent for
the Columbus Record (Ohio). Died 12 January 1896 in Columbus, OH. Interred
at St. Jacob's Reformed Church cemetery, four miles north of Lisbon, in Salem
Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.
REV. CALVIN U.O. DERR, A.B.,B.D., 1863-1897, Class of 1888.
Son of Rev. Dr. Levi K. Derr and Rachel Reagen Kerr, born 30 December 1863 at
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Theological study at Yale Divinity School, New Haven,
Connecticut; B.D., 1891. Pastor at First Reformed Church, Spring City, PA;
ordained 7 June 1891. Married 11 February 1896 to Clara Stauffer Keely of
Spring City, PA, who died 4 February 1897. Died of quinsy 12 March 1897;
interred 16 March 1897 in East Vincent cemetery.
REV. REUBEN RAHAUSER, 1866-1897, Class of 1873 THEOLOGY
Born in Dover Township, York County, Pennsylvania, 18 August 1866. Ordained
27 November 1873, and served as pastor of Kreutz Creek charge, York County,
then at Mt. Pleasant, York Co., then at St. Paul's. Married in 1857 to
Malinda Enrich; lived with oldest son at Enrigsville, PA, after her death.
Died 13 June 1897. Interred in Green Mount Cemetery near York, PA.
REV. ADAM BOLEY, ? - 1897, Class of 1875 THEOLOGY
Resident of Badesheim, Reinpfal, Bavaria before enrollment in theological
department of Ursinus College in 1874. Pastor of St. Paul's Reformed Church
of Philadelphia, 1878-1881, Emanuel's Church, Williamsport, 1884-1893, and
St. Paul's Church, Williamsport, 1896. An alcoholic, he committed suicide in
a Philadelphia hotel during the summer of 1897.
REV. HENRY FREDERICK WITZEL, A.B., 1871-1897, Classes of 1894 and 1897
THEOLOGY
Born 6 February 1871 at Gerstingen an der Werr, Sachen Weimer Eisenach,
Germany, son of John Theodore and Anna Maria Witzel, nee Kraunch. Emigrated
with parents at age 12, locating in Mahanoy City. Licensed by the Schuylkill
Classis at Pottsville in April 1896. Ordained pastor at Grace Reformed Church
of Hazleton 21 June 1896. Died 4 November 1897. Interment made in the
cemetery of Mahanoy City.
REV. FRANK NELSON BLEILER, 1865-1900, Class of 1894 THEOLOGY
Son of Augustus B. and Loretta Bleiler, born in the village of Overton,
Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 9 January 1865. Ordained by Philadelphia
Classis and installed as pastor of Brownback's charge, Chester County, PA, 19
August 1894. Married 30 October 1897 to Anna Frock of East Coventry, Chester
County. Installed pastor at East Vincent charge 9 April 1899. Died 27
February 1900. Interred 4 March 1900, Brownback's Church cemetery.
ERNEST H. LONGSTRETH, A.M., 1866-1900, Class of 1889.
Born 22 August 1866 at Collegeville, Pennsylvania, a son of Henry and Sarah
Hunsicker Longstreth, of English and Swiss descent, respectively, through
Bartholomew Longstreth, who immigrated from England in 1699. Worked at First
National Bank during college years; A.B. 1889, A.M., 1892. Banker by
profession, in Camden, NJ. Died 30 March 1900.
REV. JAMES WILLOUGHBY MABRY, A.M., 1853-1900, Classes of 1877 and 1879
THEOLOGY
Born 22 June 1853 at Mertztown, Pennsylvania, a son of Willoughby and Esther
Ziegler Mabry, of English and German descent. Married Nora M. Stam, of
Womelsdorf, PA, 29 May 1879; three daughters, two preceding him in death.
Pastor of the Kreidersville charge; resident of Cherryville, PA. Died 16 May
1900 of tuberculosis. Interred at Long Swamp Church cemetery, Berks County,
PA.
REV. MARTIN LUTHER FRITCH, A.M., 1854-1900, Class of 1873 THEOLOGY
Son of John and Maria Warmkessel Fritch, born in Long Swamp Township, Berks
County, Pennsylvania, on 17 July 1854. Organized Birdsboro mission; served
as chaplain at Berks County Almshouse. Married to Amanda C. Helman 12
December 1872; three children. Deposed from ministry due to indiscreet
conduct. Died in Philadelphia, PA, 10 November 1900. Interred in Peace
Cemetery, Philadelphia.
PROF. P. CALVIN MENSCH, A.M., M.D., Ph.D., 1864-1901, Class of 1887.
Son of James G. Mensch, M.D., and Elizabeth M. Hillegass Mensch, of
Pennsburg, PA, born in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on 13
June 1864. Graduated as M.D. from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in
1889. Married Rita L. Chamberlain of Baltimore, MD, 1 June 1893; one
daughter. Professor of Biology at Ursinus College, 1894-1901. Died 30 July
1901 at Collegeville. Interred at Trinity Reformed Church cemetery at
Collegeville.
ADA ELIZABETH SCHWENK KEHL, B.L., 1871-1901, Class of 1891.
Daughter of Henry K. and Lydia Keelor Schwenk, born in Lower Providence
Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on 1 March 1871. Married Rev.
Charles P. Kehl, classes of 1890 and 1893 T, on 28 September 1893; two
children, George and William. Died of typhoid 29 August 1900. Interred in
New Goshenhoppen Cemetery, near East Greenville, PA.
PROF. GRANVILLE HENRY MEIXELL, A.M., 1864-1902, Class of 1890.
Born 15 July 1864 in Bushkill Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, a
son of John H. and Louisa Miller Meixell. Married Beulah A. Hartman,
daughter of Rev. A.S. Hartman, D.D., of Baltimore, MD, on 17 November 1883;
one daughter. Taught at Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH, then Midland
College, Atchison, KS, until he died of pneumonia on 20 Jan 1902. Interred
in family cemetery at Moorestown 25 January 1902.
ALBERT H. EBERLY, A.B., ?-1902, Class of 1890.
Son of H.S. Eberly, died 4 February 4 1902, Durlach, Pennsylvania.
STANLEY HENDRICKS CASSELBERRY, A.B., 1878-1902, Class of 1898.
Born 8 August 1878, Oaks, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Taught at Ambler
High School, 1898-1899, Collegeville High School, 1899-1901. Died 10
February 1902 at Collegeville, PA. Interment at Trinity Reformed Church
cemetery.
WILLIAM OSCAR XANDERS, A.B., M.D., 1867-1902, Class of 1899.
Son of Josiah and Sara Xanders, born 9 April 1867 at Normal, Pennsylvania,
one of seven children, whose mother died in 1870. Graduate of Palatinate
College, 1890, medical department of University of Pennsylvania, 1896, and
Chemical-Biological course at Ursinus, 1899. Practiced medicine in
Philadelphia, and in the M.E. Hospital. Married December 1897 to Ida E.
Zimmerman; two daughters, Josephine and Millicent. Died 7 September 1902.
LEWIS COLLARD ROYER, A.B., 1859-1903, Class of 1878.
Born 2 February 1859 in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, son of Hon. Lewis C.
Royer, M.D., and his wife Isabella. Married Elizabeth Graybill, of
Philadelphia, 8 February 1879; three children. Businessman at Robertsdale
and Shade Gap, PA; insurance business in Huntingdon, PA. Died at Harrisburg
on 6 January 1903. Interment in Riverview Cemetery, Huntingdon, PA.
REV. EDWARD MILLER SCHEIRER, A.B., 1872-1904, Class of 1896.
Son of Amos and Caroline C. Scheirer, born 2 May 1872 at Lyons, Berks County,
PA. Ordained to gospel ministry and installed in October, 1899, as pastor of
Elmwood Presbyterian Church near Syracuse, NY. Died in China, near Lien
Chow, northwestern part of Kwong-tung province, 11 June 1904, working as a
missionary.
REV. THOMAS HOGGETT MEDD, A.B., B.D., 1867-1905, Class of 1892.
Born 30 April 1867 at Nottingham, England, son of Richard, a clergyman, and
Mary Hoggett Medd. Family immigrated and settled in Michigan. B.D.,
Princeton Theological Seminary. Ordained 1895 by Presbyterian Church,
preaching at Alco, NJ, Gutun, Manitoba, Canada, and Summerville, SC. Married
Anna Landis Hunsicker, of Philadelphia, 25 June 1895; one child. Died 8 April
1905, while residing in Germantown. Interred at Trinity Reformed Church
cemetery, Collegeville.
REV. PROF. JOHN H. SECHLER, A.M., D.D., 1850-1905, Class of 1875 THEOLOGY
Son of Rev. Jacob Sechler and his wife Anna, born 10 September 1850 at
Hanover, Pennsylvania. A.B., 1870, Franklin and Marshall College,
Lancaster. Taught in PA public schools before studying for theology
degree. Pastor of Boehm's Reformed Church, Blue Bell, PA, 14 years; then
pastor of First Reformed Church, Philadelphia, 1889-1898. First married to
Mary Bower of Myerstown, PA, on 20 June 1872; four children. After her death
17 November 1888, he married Emilie M. Evans, of Lancaster, PA, on 6 January
1897. Died of neuralgia of the heart 12 April 1905, in Philadelphia.
Interred in Boehm's Church cemetery.
REV. F.F. CHRISTINE, 1849-1905, Class of 1875 THEOLOGY
Pastor at Waterloo, IN, until April 1885, then Leidytown charge, Chalfont,
Bucks, PA, then Elysburg, NY, Presbyterian church. Died 12 June 1905.
FREELAND G. HOBSON, ESQ., A.M., LL.D., 1857-1906, Class of 1876.
First-born of Frank M. and Lizzie Gotwals Hobson, of English and German
descent, born 13 October 1857, at Collegeville, PA. Francis Hobson emigrated
from England in 1683, settling in New Garden Township, Chester County, PA.
Practiced law at Norristown until his demise at Collegeville on 10 January
1906. Married Ella M. Hendricks, daughter of Rev. Joseph H. Hendricks, D.D.,
pastor of the Trinity Reformed Church, Collegeville, 15 September 1882.
Interred in Trinity Reformed Church cemetery.
REV. NEVIN W. HELFFRICH, A.M., 1855-1906, Class of 1879 THEOLOGY
Second son of Rev. William A. and Amanda Fogel Helffrich, born at
Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, 5 March 1855. A.B., Heidelberg College, Tiffin,
OH, 1877. Pastor of Ziegel charge, Lehigh Classis, consisting of nine
congregations. Married Mary Alice Hoffman in 1879; three children. Died 20
April 1906, at his Allentown, PA, home. Family progenitor was Rev. Johannes
Heinrich Helffrich, arrived in New York 14 January 1772, and located in
Weisenberg Township, Lehigh County, PA.
THOMAS E. KALBACH, A.B., 1869-1906, Class of 1892.
Son of Isaac A., a lumber merchant, and Sarah A. Kalbach, born 28 November
1869, at Bernville, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Worked in the law office of
Howard C. Shick, Esq. Died at Lebanon 27 May 1906. Interred in Mt. Lebanon
Cemetery.
REV. JACOB G. NEFF, A.M., 1849-1906, Class of 1874.
Born 15 July 1849, in Maxatawny Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, the son
of Jacob and Sarah Glasser Neff. Licensed to preach after two years' study in
the theological department of Yale University, by Lebanon Classis, at
Schuylkill Haven on 12 June 1876. Married Lizzie H. Nyce, Hamburg, PA, a
daughter of Benjamin Nyce, M.D., 4 June 1885. Died in Baltimore, MD, 27
August 1906; interred at Kutztown, PA.
ROBERT SOLOMON HENRY APPEL, A.B., 1878-1906, Class of 1901.
Son of Rev. R. S. Appel and Alice M. Blumer Appel, born in Hamburg, Berks
County, PA, 13 November 1878. Press reporter; member of Reading Press
Club. Died of typhoid 9 September 1906. Interred 13 September 1906 in
Fairview Cemetery, east of Hamburg.
REV. PROF. MOSES PETERS, A.M., B.D., 1851-1906, Class of 1874.
A son of Reuben and Sarah George Peters, born 8 June 1851, near Slatington,
Pennsylvania. Pastor of St. John's Reformed Church, Hamburg, 1877-1880.
Professor of natural sciences and languages in Galesville University, WI,
1881-1887. Professor of natural sciences and theology at Ursinus, retiring
in 1897. Died at the home of his brother, in Chicago, IL, on 10 September
1906.
OSCAR WALKER HUNSICKER, A.B., 1879-1907, Class of 1901.
Born 3 March 1879 at Royersford, Pennsylvania, a son of Christian D. and
Annie Hunsicker. Taught in public schools of Prospectville and
Hollidaysburg, PA; principal of public schools of Pennsburg, PA. Suffered an
attack of rheumatism, fall 1906; died 26 February 1907. Interred in Trinity
Reformed Church cemetery, Collegeville, PA.
JACOB ANDREW STRASSBURGER, ESQ., A.B., A.M., 1849-1908, Class of 1873.
Born in Hilltown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 15 October 1849, the son of
Reuben Y. and Elizabeth Z. Strassburger. Descendant of Johann Andreas
Strassburger, a German school teacher who arrived on the Loyal Ship Judith in
1742 and settled in Bucks County. The latter's grandson, the grandfather of
the subject of this sketch, the Rev. John Andrew Strassburger, of the
Reformed Church, served continuously in one charge, the congregations of
Indian Field, Charlestown, Tohickon and Ridge Road, Bucks County, PA, from
1818 to 1854. His father was a storekeeper. Married Mary Beaver, the only
daughter of Dr. Ephraim K. Beaver, who had practiced near Center Point, PA,
15 December 1880. Children were Elizabeth, who died in Paris in 1902, where
she was studying music, Ralph Beaver and Perry Beaver Strassburger.
Montgomery County lawyer and businessman. Died 30 March 1908 at Norristown,
PA; interred in Riverside Cemetery.
REV. HENRY FRANKLIN SEIPEL, ESQ., A.B., 1843-1908, Class of 1903 THEOLOGY
Youngest son of Captain John and Susan (Bliem) Seipel, born at Catasauqua,
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, 17 February 1843. Orphaned at one year, he grew
up in the home of his uncle, Abraham Bliem. Practiced law in Ohio from 1867
to 1870. Ordained by Mercersburg Classis 10 December 1874; pastor of
Woodbury charge, 1874-1879, and Hilltown charge, Tohickson Classis, until
1897. Married Salome Gross on 16 April 1868; four children. Salome Gross
Seipel died 23 February 1913. Diabetic; died 22 October 1908. Interred at
Hilltown, Bucks County.
GEORGE JOEL HENRY, A.B., M.D., 1882-1908, Class of 1902.
Born 19 April 1882 at Hanover, Pennsylvania, a son of William S. and Mary C.
Henry. Studied medicine at Hahnamann College, Philadelphia. Died in Hanover
7 November 1908.
HENRY A. MATHIEU, ESQ., A.B., 1855-1908, Class of 1878.
A son of Peter and Elizabeth Mathieu, both of German descent, born 20 July
1855 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Practiced law 1880-1883, then engaged in
the produce business, in Philadelphia. Married Welvina Wischman on 29 October
1889; children were Harry, Herman and Percy. Died at Trappe, PA, 15 December
1908.
REV. CHARLES HAMILTON COON, A.M., D.D., 1855-1909, Class of 1876 THEOLOGY
Born at Sabillasville, Maryland, 14 October 1855. Pastor at churches in PA,
MD, MA and NY. Married Luella Geiser of Waynesboro, PA, 11 January 1877.
Died 28 January 1909 at his residence in Brooklyn, NY. Interred in Green
Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro, PA.
LOUIS EDWARD TAUBEL, A.M., M.D., 1862-1909, Class of 1882.
Son of William, a shoe manufacturer, and Marie Vogt Taubel, both German
natives, born 13 September 1862, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. M.d., 1 May
1885, University of PA medical department. Married Elizabeth Virginia
Tomlinson, 8 December 1903; one son and one daughter. Died 26 April 1909 in
Philadelphia.
REV. LEVI D. STAMBAUGH, 1851-1909, Class of 1878 THEOLOGY
A son of Henry and Leah Dentlinger Stambaugh, born 1 January 1851 at Smith's
Station, York County, Pennsylvania. Jacob Stambaugh, his grandfather, came
from Holland in 1770. Married Henrietta Smith of York County, PA, 17 May
1870; three sons and four daughters. Minister at St. Matthew's Church,
Vincent, Chester County, PA. Pastorate in Womelsdorf charge consisted of
Womelsdorf, Mt. Aetna, Rehrersburg and New Schaefferstown. Died 3 December
1909 of gangrene at Rehrersburg.
SARA MABEL SPANGLER, A.B., 1888-1909, Class of 1909.
Daughter of the Rev. Henry T. Spangler, D.D. and Marion Bomberger, daughter
of the Rev. J.H.A. Bomberger, D.D., founder and first president of Ursinus
College from 1870 to 1890. Born 25 June 1888 at Collegeville,
Pennsylvania. Died 21 December 1909. Interred at Trinity Reformed Church
cemetery, Collegeville, PA.
FREDERICK MAHLON FOGELMAN, B.S., 1884-1910.
Son of A.P. Fogelman, M.D. and Clara R. Shultz, born 6 March 1884 at
Sheridan, Pennsylvania. A student at Ursinus, he drowned, together with his
companion, on the eve of his graduation, 3 June 1910, while rowing with Miss
Edna Thomas on Perkiomen Creek.
REV. MAHLON H. MISHLER, 1854-1910, Class of 1876 THEOLOGY
Born 30 November 1854 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Pastor of Reformed
congregations at Weatherly, Stroudsburg, Pottsville, Minersville, and
Reading, PA. Survived by his wife, one daughter, brother William and sister
Elizabeth, wife of Henry Houck. Died 6 September 1910, of a paralytic
stroke, at Reading, PA.
REV. VERNON SPURGEON RICE, A.B., 1875-1911, class of 1901.
Born at Saville, Perry County, Pennsylvania, 5 July 1875, a son of Josiah
William and Katie Howell Rice. Descendant of Amantis Howell, a Princeton
graduate. Married Julia Maud Clark 22 October 1907. Minister at St. Vincent
congregation, Chester County, PA. Died 7 April 1911 in Philadelphia, PA
RALPH ROYER, B.S., 1869-1911, Class of 1890.
Son of Joseph Warren and Anna Herbert Royer, born at Trappe, Pennsylvania, 10
March 1869. Descendant of Carl Reyers, active in producing Continental
currency, and Nathaniel Fosdick, first collector at the port of Bangor, ME.
Married in 1904 to Patience Ellen Clark, of Boise City, ID, a native of
Canada near the VT border. Studied medicine at University of Pennsylvania
but never practiced. Worked variously as an accountant, mining
superintendent, music instructor, opera singer and music composer. Died 13
June 1911 at Ixtlan del Rio, a territory of Tepic, Mexico. Interred at
Guadalajara, Mexico.
ERNEST T. MILLER, A.B., 1889-1912, Class of 1909.
Born 7 June 1889 at Limerick, Pennsylvania, the son of Horace T. and Adele T.
Miller, grandson of Captain H.H. Fetterolf. Philadelphia businessman, died 14
June 1912, at his home. Interred in Trinity Reformed Church cemetery,
Collegeville, PA.
HON. EDWIN SHIELDS SNIVELY, B.S., 1864-1912, Class of 1881.
A son of Frederick B. and Camelia G. Snively, born 15 June 1864 at Shady
Grove, Pennsylvania. Swiss ancestors immigrated and settled in PA in 1734.
Mercantile and business career in Shady Grove, PA and Lincoln and Omaha,
NB. Member of PA Legislature, 1895-1896, representing Franklin County.
Married Lesta Telford of Vincennes, IN, 6 April 1906. Died 25 September 1912.
REV. JOHN ALLISON FOIL, A.M., Ph.D., D.D., 1847-1912, Class of 1873.
Third son of Allison and Margaret Probst Foil, born 12 December 1847, living
until 18 years old on a farm in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Married
Susan C. Lantz, of Reading, PA, daughter of Rev. John Lantz who served
Reformed Church in NC Classis, in 1873. Professor and administrator at
Catawba College, NC. Ordained by North Carolina Classis 1874, he was
president of the Classis on three occasions. Died 28 November 1912, at his
home in Newton, NC. Interment in Eastview Cemetery, Newton.
REV. JOHN JACOB FISHER, A.M., D.D., 1855-1913, Class of 1878.
Born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, 30 August 1855, the son of Daniel and Lydia
Fisher. Ordained and installed as pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, Tamaqua,
where he served 33 years. Married in St. Paul's Reformed Church, Mahanoy
City, to Elmira K., daughter of Charles B. and Sarah M. Wagner, on 23 January
1880; three children. Died 22 January 1913 at Trinity Church, Pottsville,
while addressing a conference. Interred 25 January 1913.
REV. HARVEY STAUFFER GOTTSHALL, A.B., 1878-1914, Class of 1904.
Born 24 November 1878 on a farm near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, a son of
Moses C. and Anna K. Gottshall. Descended from Rev. Jacob Gottshal, a
pioneer Mennonite preacher of Germantown fame. Married Alice M. Kerr 9 June
1903; four children. At the time of his death on 3 June 1914 of
tuberculosis, he was an instructor in German in the Northeast manual Training
School, Philadelphia. Interred in Mennonite Church cemetery, Schwenksville,
PA.
REV. James B. UMBERGER, A.B., D.D., 1856-1914, Class of 1879.
Son of John P. and Catherine Shaeffer Umberger and a descendant of Leonard
Umberger, a 1720 immigrant to America, he was born 17 November 1856 in
Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Ordained by the Presbytery of Chemung at Spencer, NY,
he was pastor of churches in NY, DE, PA, and NJ. D.D., National University of
Chicago, 1895. Married to Ella G. Bruner, of Norristown, PA, on 15 May 1882
and to Jeanette F. Bean of Wilkes Barre, on 19 June 1907. Four children to
second wife. Died at Lockport, NY, 10 December 1914.
ROY FRANKLIN KICHLINE, B.S., 1891-1915, Class of 1912.
Son of Thomas J. Kichline of Bangor, PA, he was born 28 January 1891.
Vice-principal and coach at Bridgeton, NJ, high school, he contracted
pneumonia and died of a complication of diseases on 30 January 1915, survived
by his parents, two brothers and one sister.
PROF. WILLIAM SAMUEL KEITER, A.B., 1869-1915, Class of 1901.
Born 23 October 1869 at Oriental, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, a son of
Philip, a carpenter and farmer, and Susan Keiter. Taught for a number of
years in public schools of Chester and Juniata counties; principal of public
schools of Medford, NJ; and superintendent of Medford township schools; then
Head Master at Albright College, Myerstown, PA. Married Blanche Fry, of
Mexico, Juniata County, on 12 August 1901; two children. Died of Bright's
disease and pneumonia on 19 May 1915. Interment in Lost Creek Cemetery, near
Mifflintown, PA.
PROF. DAVID RAMSON WISE, A.B., 1884-1916, Class of 1906.
Only son of Joseph Sands and Bertha Sabilla Wise, born of German extraction,
born 19 March 1884 in Reading, Pennsylvania. Descendant of J. Miller, a
lieutenant in Washington's army. Variously teacher, musician, and
businessman. Married to Florence Miller; one daughter. Faculty at High
School for Boys, Reading, he died in Reading Hospital 18 February 1916.
WILLIAM R. SMITH, A.B., M.D., 1870-1916, Class of 1891.
Born at York, Pennsylvania on 22 March 1870, a son of Rev. Reinhart and
Hannah Schaeffer Smith. M.D., 1902, University of Pennsylvania, practicing
at 42nd and Aspen Streets, Philadelphia. Married to Ida C. Butz, Kutztown,
PA, 2 September 1902. Died of tuberculosis at his Philadelphia home on 14
March 1916.
AUGUSTUS WIGHT BOMBERGER, ESQ., A.M., 1864-1916, Class of 1882.
Born in Philadelphia, 1 November 1864, a son of the Rev. J.H.A. Bomberger,
D.D. LL.D., and his wife Julia Aymer Wight Bomberger, descendant of Count
Aymer, of France. His father was the founder of Ursinus College and its
president for many years. A.M., Ursinus, 1885. Married Mary T. Kratz, of
Trappe, PA; four daughters and two sons. In government service, a published
poet, organizer of the Audubon Club. Died at German Hospital, Philadelphia,
25 April 1916. Interred in Riverside Cemetery at Norristown, PA.
REV. JOHN EDWARD STONE, A.B., 1875-1916, Class of 1900 and 1903 THEOLOGY
Born 13 July 1875 near Marklesburg, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, 13 July
1875, only son of Henry H. and Ellen (Thompson) Stone. Licensed by Juniata
Classis at the 1903 meeting in Christ Church, Altoona, PA. Pastor at
Thornville, OH, until he accepted position at Christ Church, Roaring Spring,
PA, in 1913. Married to Nellie R. Culbert, daughter of Dr. J.W. Culbert of
Collegeville; three children. Died from heart disease 20 May 1916 at Roaring
Spring. Interred at Zion Reformed Church cemetery, Marklesburg, PA.
REV. JOHN ALLEN MERTZ, A.M., 1856-1916, Class of 1887 THEOLOGY
Son of Peter and Susanna Hilbish Mertz, born 26 May 1856 at Freeburg, Snyder
County, Pennsylvania. B.A., Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH, 1883.
Married Clara M. Reber, of Philadelphia, 8 December 1884; two sons: Paul
Allen and John Ernest, both Ursinus College graduates. Pastor at churches in
Chester and Bucks counties during a 28-year ministry. Died at Durham, Bucks
Co., of nephritis with cardiac affection, causing dropsy, 9 July 1916.
Interred at Freeburg Reformed Church Cemetery, Freeburg, PA.
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