My Genealogy Hound

REV. JONATHAN E. SMITH, the well known pastor of the Reformed Church in Moore Township, makes his home in Bath, Pa., and is favorably known and highly regarded in Northampton County. He is a self-made man, having been obliged to hew out his own pathway, and he may well be satisfied with the measure of success which has attended his efforts. He is a native of the Keystone State, his birth having occurred in Weisenburg Township, Lehigh County, April 4, 1850. In that county his parents, Elias and Saloma (Snyder) Smith, were also born. The mother is still living, making her home at present at Fogelsville, Pa. The Smith family has long been numbered among the prosperous and influential citizens of Weisenburg Township.

Mr. Smith’s early education was obtained in the schools of his native township, until about sixteen years old, when he began teaching school in Lehigh County. He attended for several sessions the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, and in addition to this he was for a time a student under Prof. Charles Swartz in a private school at Bethlehem. For two years he pursued his studies at Ursinus College, at Collegeville, Pa., where he combined the regular college course with theological studies. Afterward for three years he was a Professor in the Northwestern University at Watertown, Wis., which institution is a German Lutheran denominational college. In fact, he was only engaged at the last-named college for a period of two years, but, loath to have him leave, the university authorities offered him, as an inducement to remain, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, which the faculty conferred upon him. On his return to Pennsylvania he completed his theological studies in 1887 at Ursinus College, from which he was graduated.

It was in 1877 that Rev. Mr. Smith received a call to his present field, and he has been officiating as pastor of the Moore Township charge up to the present time. This pastorate comprises the following churches: Salem, Christ, Emanuel and Jehovah, the latter being located in Bushkill Township. The pastor is an earnest and zealous worker in the Master’s cause, and very active in the work of his denomination. He always makes his own interests secondary to the good of others and to the good of the church, and is thoroughly conscientious and reliable in the discharge of his duties. He bears closely at heart the welfare of his fellow-men, and is earnest in his efforts to uplift them and do them good.

May 12, 1886, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Maria C., daughter of George and Amanda E. Bartholomew, of Bath. Mrs. Smith, who was a devoted wife and a faithful assistant to her husband in his many and varied pastoral duties, was called from his side by the Angel of Death, January 16, 1890, and the community has deeply regretted her loss. She was an amiable, loving Christian woman, who merited the friendship and esteem which were hers.