My Genealogy Hound

REV. WILLIAM D. C. KEITER, a very successful young minister, is a man of superior education and good ability, who has devoted his life and talents to the service of the Master. At the present time he is serving most acceptably as pastor of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Bethlehem, and also has charge of St. Thomas Lutheran Church at Altoona. Rev. Mr. Keiter graduated with high honors from Muhlenberg College, Allentown, and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He was thus equipped by severe training and years of study for the successful career which has since been his, though wider fields and greater honors are doubtless in store for him, as he is still young both in years and in service.

The birth of our subject occurred January 30, 1863, in Allentown. His paternal grandfather, whose Christian name was Casper, was of German descent, and his birth and death occurred in Allentown, where he was engaged in farming for many years. His son, Aaron, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead, and became an enterprising agriculturist. He was a public official in the city for a number of years. Later in life he retired on account of failing health, and was called from the scene of his labor in 1887. He was the owner of what is now a large part of the city, lying within the Eighth Ward, which has since been laid out and sold for building lots. A Republican in politics, he was a true patriot, and in religion was a member of the Lutheran Church, in which denomination he had been reared. His wife, who was formerly Susan Mohr, was born in Macungie Township, and her father, Daniel, was also a native of that locality, being of German descent. For a livelihood he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and his death occurred in Allentown, where his daughter, Mrs. Susan Keiter, is still residing with her son, Frank, an attorney-at-law.

Rev. Mr. Keiter was reared in the city of his nativity, where he attended the excellent schools; and in 1880 graduated from the high school. He was next enrolled as a student at Muhlenberg College, from which, in 1884, he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and later received that of Master of Arts. Three years subsequently, in 1887, he was graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, in which city his ordination took place in June of the same year. At once coming to West Bethlehem, he endeavored to organize a congregation, and succeeded beyond his expectations. It was largely owing to his untiring zeal and business-like supervision that the church was completed in the spring of 1888, this being the first church edifice on that side of the city. Although the congregation numbered then but some thirty-two members, a handsome chapel was nevertheless planned and built. The church is in the Gothic style, being made of brick and built at the rear of the lot, in order that in time a modern and commodious auditorium maybe erected in front. The church property is valued now at $10,000, and from the start the church has been independent, receiving no outside aid. It now numbers about three hundred members. Some time ago Rev. Mr., Keiter became pastor of the Union Church at Altoona, which was organized in 1848, and since he took charge of the same a handsome new building has been put up at a cost of $10,000. It has no equal in the vicinity among country churches, and the congregation has increased to two hundred and twenty-five members. Our subject built for himself a residence in West Bethlehem, which he now occupies with his family. He was married in November, 1887, to Miss Millie S., daughter of Charles Ruhe, a wholesale cigar manufacturer of Allentown, Pa. Mrs. Keiter is a native of Allentown, and received the advantages of a superior education, being a graduate of the Allentown High School, Class of ‘80. Later she attended the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, being of decided talent in a musical direction. Mrs. Keiter is also quite literary, and is fully equipped for the many arduous duties devolving upon the wife of a minister. They have one child, a son, Charles R. In politics Mr. Keiter votes with the Republican party, and is active in works of improvement and for the relief of the poor and needy. The best commentary on his ability and zeal is the uniform success which has attended his labors and the high regard in which his congregation holds him.