Keller, Ezra, Dd

Keller, Ezra, D.D., an eminent minister of the Lutheran Church, was born in Middletown Valley, Md., June 12,1812. Influenced by an unquenchable desire to preach the Gospel, the most formidable obstacles could not deter him from his purpose. While at Pennsylvania College (he graduated in 1835) he began the study of theology, and then entered the seminary at Gettysburg. After his licensure to preach he devoted himself for a season to the arduous work of an itinerant missionary for the Western States. In this work he was very successful, especially as he preached in German as well as English. Subsequently he was engaged in the pastoral work, first at Taneytown, Md., and then at Hagerstown. His ministry at both places was very efficient. In 1844 he accepted the presidency of Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, a literary and theological school called into existence to meet the wants of the Lutheran Church in the West, a position for which he was regarded as admirably fitted. . At the time of his death few men in the Church gave greater promise of extensive and permanent influence. Ezra Keller died Dec. 29, 1848. He received the degree of D.D. from Jefferson College in 1845. (M. L. S.)