Rosenberger, Seward M. (1872-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Mar 22 p. 2

Birth date: 1872 Aug 9

text of obituary:

RETIRED MINISTER DIED IN PENNSYLVANIA

Quakertown, Pa. — Rev. S. M. Rosenberger, retired minister of the Eastern District Conference, died here on March 1 at the age of 75, after a long illness.

Rev. Rosenberger was the father of Rev. A. S. Rosenberger, pastor of the West Swamp charge here.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Mar 22 p. 9

text of obituary:

SEWARD M. ROSENBERGER

Seward M. Rosenberger, son of Henry H. and Elvina Moyer Rosenberger, was born August 9, 1872, at Milford Square Bucks county, Pa.

In 1888 at the age of 16 years his career as a teacher began. He taught public school at Geryville, Spinnerstown and Milford Square. Feeling the need for more education himself, he attended and graduated from West Chester State Normal school in 1895. Immediately following his graduation he was chosen principal of the Quakertown schools which office he filled from 1896 until 1904. During these years he was active in the leadership of various county educational organizations.

In 1896 he married Emma Sell, daughter of William B. Sell. To this union were born four sons: Arthur, Willard, Warren, and Edgar. In 1904 he was called to Philadelphit [sic Philadelphia] and from that date until 1925 he served as principal of various public schools in that city. During this time he studied at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania, receiving his Master of Arts degree from the latter institution.

In mid-life in the early twenties of this century the second phase, of his career began, that of the Christian ministry. His whole life purpose had always been deeply Christian. From birth he had reared in a Christian home and a Christian congregation. He himself acknowledged the great influences for God and good made upon him by the West Swamp ministers, John H. Oberholtzer and Andrew B. Shelly. He was baptized on confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ on March 30, 1888, by Andrew Shelly. In 1899 he was one of the active organizers of the Bethany congregation and one of its first trustees. While in Philadelphia he was a member of the First Mennonite congregation, serving as Sunday school superintendent and deacon for many years.

He was one of the pioneers in Brotherhood work in the Mennonite Church and the Eastern Conference. He was field secretary of the conference Sunday School Union for some time.

Finally, in the early twenties of this century he was encouraged by the Grubbs of Phiadelphit [sic Philadelphia] to accept the call into the ministry and was so ordained. This led to the full-time career as minister in 1925. On July 12 of that year he was ordained to the eldership by his son, Arthur, and began to serve the Swamp Charge, including West Swamp, Flatland, and Bethany congregations. He served until 1929 when he was forced to retire because of failing health. During the twenties he had served as conference president, assistant editor of "The Mennonite," associate editor of the "Mennonite Yearbook," and member of the General Conference Board of Education.

In spite of 21 years of ill health and retirement, Seward Rosenberger lived two careers, that of educator, and that of minister. The witness of this community is that in all things he was a Christian and gentleman. During these past days friends have mentioned his unassuming character, his deliberate thinking, his accuracy of statement, his loving way of winning people. He viewed education in terms of Christian faith, and Christian faith in terms of true education, witiessing [sic] for God and rearing children in the nurture of the Lord. One of his early sermons still remembered was titled “In the School of Christ.”

For the past 17 years, Bro. and Sister Rosenberger lived near Spinnerstown with their son Edgar. These were trying years of growing weakness for him. Suffering for two weeks, he fell asleep Thursday, March 1, 1951, at the age of 78 years. Remaining are his wife; four sons, Arthur, minister of the West Swamp congregation, Willard of New York City, Waren [sic Warren] of Closter, New Jersey, and Edgar at home; four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

The funeral was held Tuesday, March 6, 1951, at the Bethany meetinghouse in Quakertown where Bro. Rosenberger was a member. Pastor Wilmer Denlinger of Bethany conducted the meeting with Pastor Wilmer S. Shelly of Hereford, preaching the sermon on the text "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." The burial was in the West Swamp cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1951 Apr 10 p. 243