Samuel Sprecher

As printed in 1881

SAMUEL SPRECHER, D. D. LL. D., Professor of Systematic Theology, Springfield. We point with pride to this sketch, although so brief in detail; it represents the correct busy life of one of Wittenberg’s oldest professors; one who has bravely stood at his post for thirty-two consecutive years; by his careful training, many of the noble young men, graduates of this institution, were developed in the philosopheal and theological branches and have made their names and reputations such as becomes those who have been educated carefully, by one who understands fully the requirements of all pertaining to this system, and through them additional luster has been thrown about our friend, Dr. Sprecher. His parents, Philip and Mary Sprecher, were born in Pennsylvania, and their parents were natives of Germany. Philip and Mary Sprecher were parents of twelve children, of whom Dr. Sprecher is the youngest. He was born in Washington Co., Md., Dec. 28, 1810; his father was a farmer, but fortunately for his son (the states of education being very low in the neighborhood), a schoolhouse was built on his father's farm; here the rudiments of an English education were gained; his desire for knowledge increased with his years, and many books were purchased with the spoils of the chase (he being an expert at trapping); at the age of 16, he engaged in the mercantile business; at 19, commenced an academic course, also a theological course in Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Penn. His first charge was Harrisburg, Penn., extending over a period of four years; in 1841, betook charge of Frey's Academy, at Middle: town, Penn.; from 1843 to 1849, was Pastor of a church in Chambersburg, Penn.; June 1, 1849, he was elected President of Wittenberg College, and also assigned Professor of Theology and Mental Philosophy, which were continued until 1874, when he resigned the Presidency and continued his Professorship in the same department until 1880; he is now Professor of Systematic Theology, and is the publisher of a treatise on the groundwork of Lutheran Theology, that is acknowledged by critics to be one of the best works of the kind ever published; he is now engaged in the compilation of another equally interesting and valuable work, a system of theology. Generations hence will have words of praise for the mind that has made the obscure path of theology plain ae the noonday sun. To Dr. Sprecher is due the thanks of the people of our common country, who, devoting a long lifetime to the needs of rightly understanding this matter, and his works will be read over and over again long years after his form has passed from earth, but the brightness of his mind will thus be preserved for ages. His marriage to Miss Catharine, daughter of Rev. J. George Smoker, D. D., of York, Penn., and sister of Rev. S. S. Smoker, D. D., Principal of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Penn.. was celebrated in 1836. Rev. J. G. Smoker was one of the most talented men of his day; his name was familiar to every member of the Lutheran Church in the United States; he was also the author of a number of important theological works. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Sprecher were ten in number; two, George, the eldest, and Isabella, an infant, are deceased; Samuel P. has charge of a church in Oakland, Cal.; Mary O., wife of C. K. Shunk, of Cincinnati; G. A. Sprecher is a physician of Cincinnati; C. S. Sprecher is minister at Ashland, Ohio; Laura C., wife of Charles E. Lewis, of St. Louis, Mo.; Luther M. is also engaged in the practice of law in Cineinnati; Elenora, wife of Frank P. Davidson, Principal ot Northern Building Public Schools, Springfield, Ohio, and Edward, the youngest, is attending the school of pharmacy in Cincinnati, Ohio. The death of Mrs. Catharine Sprecher occurred Nov. 7, 1879; this was a severe blow to the doctor, from which he is yet not fully recovered; her presence was his greatest joy, and their lives were closely blended. We are glad to have an opportunity of perpetuating, in the history of this county, the name of one who bas done so much for the youth of our land, who one and inseparably revere his name.

As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.