Rev. William S. Anders and Susanna Krauss [161-42]

[161-42] REV. WILLIAM S. ANDERS, bd Aug. 30, 1840; d Feb. 18, 1907; s Abraham and Rebecea (Schultz) Anders [161-20]; m Feb. 1, 1868, SUSANNA KRAUSS, b May 2, 1843; dau Aaron and Lydia (Heebner) Krauss [202-7]. No issue. Widow’s res., Norristown, R. D., Pa. (1922.)

Rev. William Schultz Anders received his education in the public schools of Worcester Twp., and then spent two years as a, student at Mount Kirk Seminary, Providence Twp., Montg. Co., Pa., which was conducted for many years by the Rev. Henry Rodenbaugh, while pastor of Lower Providence Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Anders then engaged in school teaching, rounding out a period of eight years—-one yearin Towamencin Twp., three years in Worcester Twp., and four in Norriton Twp. After he had been engaged to teach his first school in Towamencin, and during the summer before his school was ready to open, a vacancy in the teaching force occurred in Norriton Twp., near Mr. Anders’ home. The president of the Norriton School Board being a Schwenkfelder, and knowing the type of ‘young man Mr. Anders was, called upon the latter, and offered him the position, holding out the inducements that as “Norriton” had a longer school term and paid higher salaries than did the Towamencin board, he ought by all means resign the position in Towamencin and accept the one nearer home, for in addition he could also board at his parental home; furthermore as the season was yet early, the Towamencin school board would have time to look for another teacher before the opening of school. But Mr. Anders had given his consent to teach in Towamencin, and his sterling conscience would not permit him to go back on his word.

When Mr. Anders relinquished his position in the schoolroom, he removed to the farm previously bought by his father, near the old homestead in Worcester Twp.; this farm he cultivated for a score of years until 1893, when he retired, and for the remainder of his life he lived in the house on the lot adjoining the farm.

On June 3, 1871, William S. Anders was called as a probationer to the ministry of the Schwenkfelder Church. After serving his term of probation, and successfully passing his examination, he was duly installed as one of the pastors of the Schwenkfelder Churehes of the Middle District, which comprised the churches in Worcester, Towamencin, and Lower Salford.

The time when Rev. Anders was called to the ministry, was what might be called the transition period in the Schwenkfelder Church: it was the period of the introduction of the rites of baptism, and the institution of the Sacraments. The position of Rev. Anders was a trying one, but he did his duty fearlessly and conscientiously as his letters show.

That Rev. Anders served his congregation long and well, goes without saying. Heis one of the men who stand out prominently as landmarks in the history of our sect. Notwithstanding the busy life he led, Rev. Anders allowed nothing to interfere with the work of the ministry, as long as his health permitted.

But on account of failing health, Rev. Anders tendered his resignation as pastor, a few years before his death. The Conference of the District, loath to part with his services, declined to accept his resignation; however, he was relieved of his regular duties, and asked to continue his ministration as long as his health permitted. Knowing the feelings of his congregation, Rev. Anders did not press the acceptance of his resignation, but continued to perform his ministerial duties as occasion demanded, very much against his physician’s advice, and ofttimes with great pain and suffering, as was evident to those about him. Thus while conscientiously and patiently attempting to do his duty, Rev. Anders met his death suddenly in Florida. He was walking to the home of Hon. William D. Heebner, to rehearse for a wedding ceremony, which he was to perform two days later, when he fell over and expired in a few minutes. It had been the custom for Rev. Anders to spend the coldest parts of the winter in Florida, where the Anders brothers owned an extensive and productive orange grove. Having spent several weeks in Florida, Mr. and Mrs. Anders had planned to come north on the 21st, but he died on the 18th of Feb., 1907. Besides ministering to his congregation in a spiritual way, Rev. Anders, during his period of healthful activity, was identified with Sunday School work for more than forty years, serving at various times as superintendent of the school or as a teacher of a Bible Class.

For several years Rev. Anders served as school director of Worcester Township. He was also a director for many years of the Montgomery National Bank of Norristown, as was also his father. After 1889 he was a director of Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa., thus showing his manifest interest in the eause of education.

Rey. Anders’ last industrial activity was his help in the organization of the Souderton, Skippack and Fairview Electric Railway Company, which company he served as treasurer. He was also president of the Board of Publication of the Schwenkfelder Church. [For further biographical data, see The Schwenkfeldian, Vol. IV, pp 26-30.]