My Genealogy Hound

REV. W. O. FEGELY, pastor of the Trappe Lutheran church, the old historic Muhlenberg church, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1867. He is the son of Benjamin and Mary A. (Danker) Fegely.

Benjamin Fegely was born in Berks county and his wife was a native of Lehigh county, where they were married. He was reared in Berks county, and after learning the carpenter trade followed it for many years until he purchased a tract of land in Lehigh county. He erected all the buildings and made many improvements during the remainder of his life, which he spent on the farm, and did general farming. He was a man of limited education, but a good conversationalist. In politics he was a Democrat. He was a man of exceptionally strong constitution and athletic build. He was a kind father and charitable to the needy. He died June 6, 1894, and his wife August 13, 1898. Their children were: Hiram C., a graduate of a normal school, a teacher for eighteen years and later a farmer; Matilda, still unmarried, who lives with her brother, Rev. W. O. Fegely; Susan, died at the age of twenty years; and W. O. Fegely, the subject of this sketch.

Christian Fegely (grandfather) and Catharine Fegely, his wife, were also born in Berks county. He was the third generation of Fegelys since the immigrant came from Germany. Like most of his ancestors he was a farmer and a member of the Lutheran church. Their children were: Peter, John, George, Henry, Benjamin (father), Samuel, Maria, Elizabeth, Anna, Leah.

Charles Danker (maternal grandfather) was born in Berks county and belonged to an old established family, originally from Germany. He was a farmer and a weaver of fine linen and cloth. He was a member of the Reform church. In politics he was a Democrat and held the offices of supervisor and tax collector. He died at the age of sixty-five years. His children were: Mary A. (mother); Caroline (Mrs. Hiram Becker); Isabella (Mrs. Willoughby Fegely). The two last named are still living.

W. O. Fegely was reared on the farm and attended the common school until he was sent to the Kutztown State Normal School at Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in the year 1886-7 to prepare for college. He entered Muhlenberg College at Allentown, Pennsylvania, in September, 1887, and was graduated in 1890 with the third honor in the class, delivering the German oration at the commencement exercises. He was a member of the Sophronian Literary Society and of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He became a student at Mount Airy Theological Seminary, Mount Airy, Philadelphia, was graduated in 1893, later passed all the examinations and was ordained a Lutheran minister in June, 1893. He was called to the Lutheran mission at Sayer, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and remained there until 1898, when he went to Trappe to take charge of Augustus church.

This church does not take its name from St. Augustus, but is so called in honor of its founder, Herman Augustus Francke. His son, Gotthelf Augustus Francke, was especially influential in securing the acceptance of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg to his call to America. Rev. Muhlenberg was the first regularly ordained pastor in America and preached in Philadelphia, November 25, 1742. After a short time he removed to Trappe, bought a tract of land, and December 12, 1742, preached his first sermon on the floor of a barn. There were a great many members of the Lutheran church who resided in the vicinity, but there was no regularly organized congregation. He established the church and remained as pastor until 1765, when Rev. Voigt was called and Rev. Muhlenberg went to Philadelphia. He saw all the horrors of the Revolutionary war while a pastor at Trappe. He returned to Trappe at a later period and preached his last sermon there December 26, 1784. He died October 7, 1787. The church has always had a good congregation, and at present there are about three hundred and fifty members. Rev. Fegely takes an active part in the Sabbath school work, does much missionary work and belongs to the Lutheran League and the Pastors’ Aid Society.

Rev. Fegely has given some attention to lecturing on different subjects, particularly on “Ways and Means,” at the different Lutheran churches, and has entertained large audiences. He is a logical writer and gives much attention to education. He is now filling the position of school director for the second term. He was reared a Democrat and still holds those principles.

In 1893 Rev. W. O. Fegely married Miss Anna M. Snyder, born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1870, being the daughter of Henry H. and Amanda (Reiff) Snyder. Both of her parents were natives of Bucks county, and belonged to an old family of that county. Henry H. Snyder is a farmer and attends market in Philadelphia, as he has done since he was seventeen years of age. He is an active member of the Lutheran church and resides on the homestead where his father was born and where he has always lived. In politics he is a Democrat. His father was George Snyder, a prominent farmer and miller. George Snyder had the following children: Francis, Henry (father of Mrs. Fegely), Jacob, Mary A. (Mrs. A. Bean), Sarah (Mrs. H. Cressman), and Ephraim, died at the age of ten years. Henry H. Snyder married Amanda Reiff, daughter of Abraham and Sarah Reiff, both natives of Montgomery county, who removed to Bucks county early in life. Abraham Reiff was a shoemaker by trade and later became a merchant. He died in Bucks county in 1884. They were Mennonites. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Reiff were: Abraham, William, Sarah (Mrs. Brant), Lavina (Mrs. Kober), and Amanda (Mrs. Snyder). Henry H. and Amanda (Reiff) Snyder had the following children: Elmer R., a physician who died in 1898 at the age of thirty-one years; Sally E. married Rev. Charles C. Snyder, a Lutheran minister; and Anna M., the wife of Rev. W. O. Fegely.

Rev. W. O. and Anna M. Fegely have children as follows: Byron S., born July 11, 1895; Grace, born January 25, 1897, died in April, 1897; Alina, born in March, 1899; and Florence E., born August 6, 1902.