Aurandt John Dietrich

Aurandt John Dietrich a minister of the German Reformed Church, was born on Maiden Creek, Berks county, Pa., 1760, and in his youth was apprenticed to a miller. In 1778 he enlisted as a soldier in the brigade of the Pennsylvania Regulars under Genesis Wayne. He continued in the army till 1781, when he received an honorable discharge. He now resumed his business as a miller, but after several years turned his attention to farming. Meanwhile his mind had been strongly turned toward the holy ministry. He began by exhorting in meetings for prayer, studying privately as best he could. He was licensed to preach in 1806, and ordained in 1809. He settled in Huntington County, Pa. His field of labor extended east and west sixty miles, north and south from forty to fifty miles. Here he labored with apostolic zeal as a pioneer, laying the foundation of numerous and flourishing congregations. His travelling over these mountain regions of Pennsylvania was done on horseback. This was his first and also his last field of labor. His health failed toward the last, and sometimes for a short period his labors were interrupted; but he continued his work, though often amid much suffering, till near his end. He preached his last sermon the latter part of the summer of 1830, and died April 24th, 1831, in the 71st year of his age. Mr. Aurandt's power of usefulness lay in extraordinary natural gifts, deep and earnest piety, rather than in acquired learning or intellectual polish. He was gifted with a good memory, quick perception, a ready flow of language, and a clear enunciation. He preached only in the German language.