[36-28] REV. NATHAN JAEGER (YEAGER), b 1820; d Jan. 2, 1864; s Joseph and Elizabeth (Wiegner) Yeager [36-7]; m MARY MILLER, 6b Feb. 16, 1824; d Jan. 15, 1918; dau Rev. Henry 8. Miller. Clergyman.
Children (11):
Mr. and Mrs. Jaeger both spelled their names ‘‘Jaeger,”’ but the children have adopted the spelling ‘Yeager.’ DEATH OF REV. NATHAN JAEGER “The Church has again been bereaved of one of her ministers. The Rev. Nathan Jaeger, recently pastor of the Lutheran Church at Reiglesville, Bucks County, Pa., died on the second day of January, 1864, from injuries received by being thrown from his buggy in consequence of his horse becoming frightened at a locomotive on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He was buried in the Cemetery at Reiglesville on the seventh of January, in the presence of a large congregation of people. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. B. M. Schmucker, of Easton, assisted in the services by the brethren, C. P. Miller, J. K. Plitt, P. Pfatteicher and E. Greenwald, of the Lutheran Church, and Rev. Mr. Augenbach, of the German Reformed Church. He was aged nearly 44 years, and leaves a wife and eight children to mourn his death. He devoted himself to the Gospel ministry in early life, and prosecuted his studies for a time at Gettysburg, completed his theological course with Rev. J. P. Hecht of Easton, and entered upon the duties of the pastoral office early in the summer of 1845. His first charge was at Orwigsburg; from Orwigsburg he removed to Lykens Valley; from Lykens Valley to Falkner’s Swamp; from Falkner’s Swamp to Bethlehem; from Bethlehem to Upper Mount Bethel; and from Upper Mount Bethel to Reiglesville. He was one of a large family of Lutheran ministers, consisting of his grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and a number of other relatives of the same name.
“His literary and theological attainments were very respectable, acquired amid difficulties that would have disheartened most other men. He studied when others slept; performing during the day the laborious duties of large pastorates, and pursuing his studies at night. In his study were found books in the Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, Greek, Latin, French, German and English languages. His theological knowledge was also quite extensive.
“He was an earnest man, and an energetic laborer in the cause of Christ. What his hands found to do he did with his might. He was very decided in his principles and proclaimed them without fear of man. He pursued what he deemed the path of duty with so much positive earnestness that he was frequently brought into conflict with others who did not take the same views of duty as he did. But his work is done, his conflicts are over, and he has gone to his Master, who, at the same time that he will reward the good that he has done will also be merciful to his infirmities.
‘‘As in the case of most ministers when they die, he has left a large family entirely destitute of the means of support. They need, and should receive the sympathy and aid of the Church, which ought long since to have made adequate provision for the destitute families of her deceased pastors. E. Greenwald.” From the Luth. and Miss. of Jan., 1864.