Rev. Joshua Schultz and Anna Schultz [149-22]

[149-22] REV. JOSHUA SCHULTZ, b Sept. 11, 1808; d Mar. 30, 1892; s David and Lydia (Yeakel} Schultz [149-8]: m Feb. 24, 1835, ANNA SCHULTZ, b Jan. 14, 1812; d Dec. 24, 1871; s Andrew and Sophia (Kriebel) Schultz [70-6].

Children (8):

Rev. Joshua Schultz, the eldest son of David Schultz, was born in Upper Hanover Township, Montg. County, Pa.,on the farm located along the Hosensack Creek, about one half mile east of the Palm Station; it has subsequently been owned by his brother, Reuben Schultz, and by Edwin H. Schultz, and Wayne H. Rothenberger.

In his boyhood days, after some brief school instruction, Joshua Schultz became a great lover of books and literature, an industrious reader, and being gifted with a comprehensive mind and a retentive memory, he soon acquired a good deal of general information and knowledge, of which he made good use during his life. He believed in schools affording higher educational facilities, and he himself attended a private academy in Chestnut Hill, Phila., one winter. Here he studied languages—especially English and Latin—and acquired a fair knowledge of higher mathematics and astronomy. The latter of these proved very interesting to him, and commanded his careful observation and study even in his old age. After thus acquiring a fair education he taught school for a number of years.

On February 24th, 1835, he was married to Anna Schultz, daughter of Andrew Schultz, and then settled on the farm located one half mile southeast of Hereford, Berks Co., Pa. He was a member of the Society of Sehwenkfelders and was called by that body of believers to become their minister. This proposition met with disapproval on the part of his father, who took extreme measures to show his displeasure in the matter, in the hope that he might discourage his son in this undertaking. The young man, however, had seen the vision and with confidence in himself and trust in God, he resolved to do that which he felt the Lord wanted him to do. Consequently he entered upon his duties as minister of the Gospel, December 26, 1842. In connection with this work he organized and conducted classes in eatechetical instruction. He gave much time to visiting the sick, ministering to their wants, and giving assistance wherever he could. He officiated at many funerals in his own Church, and having the respect of the people of the community and of neighboring pastors, he frequently occupied the pulpit of other denominations. Although thrown entirely upon his own resources, after creating the displeasure of his father, he was blessed in his enterprises and had possessions of no mean degree. He served as trustee or guardian for minors in numerous cases.

The moral and social qualities of his well stored mind were of a high order, tempered as it was with a true Christian spirit; he commanded the respect of those with whom he came in contact. As a minister, he endeavored to give the true spiritual sense of the Seriptures, his chief aim being the glorification of God and the well-being of man.

After thus serving his people in this capacity for a period of almost fifty years, the life work of Rev. Joshua Schultz was brought to a close on March 30th, 1892, in the Kraussdale Meeting House, in the same pulpit in which he had preached his first sermon. It was while officiating with the late Rev. William S. Anders of the Middle District, at the funeral of one of his parishioners, Abraham 8.

Krauss, that he was stricken with apoplexy and passed away immediately in front of the congregation he had served faithfully for so long a time. The years of his life had been many, useful, devoted, and active to the very end. His remains were laid to rest in the Hosensack Meeting House Cemetery, near the site of the once famous Hosensack Academy.

Some of the records of his work and writings are preserved in the Schwenkfelder Historical Library, at Pennsburg, Pa. [0. S. S.]