My Genealogy Hound

REV. REUBEN E. DELO is closely connected with the business interests of Springfield, representing the Equitable Insurance Company of New York and other first-class companies. He is a man of high personal character, with a practical, well-trained mind and excellent financial ability, and stands among the first citizens in the community. He was for many years a leading minister in the Lutheran denomination, held successful pastorates in several different places, was instrumental in organizing many churches, and did much to disseminate the Gospel. In the first year of the late war he enlisted as Chaplain, and did faithful service throughout the Rebellion.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Pennsylvania, born in the town of Edenburg, Clarion County, October 13, 1827. George M. Delo, his father, was born in Westmoreland County, that State, in March, 1774. His father, bearing the same name, came from France to this country in Colonial times and settled in the Keystone State. He had a grant of a tract of land at Beaver City, and of another in Wheeling, Va., where he subsequently located, being one of the first settlers of that city. At that time the Indians in that region were hostile, and made an attack upon the settlement, and he was killed. That was in the month of December, 1773, a few months before the father of our subject was born. His mother had not accompanied her husband to the new home, but was still living in Westmoreland County, Pa., when she was widowed, she having waited until her husband had prepared the way for her. She married a second time, and continued to reside in Westmoreland County, and there passed the remainder of her life.

The father of our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, and became a contractor and builder. In 1802 he settled in Clarion County on a tract of timber land, and building a log cabin in the forest for the shelter of his family, devoted himself to clearing and cultivating a farm, on which he made his home until he was called to a better world. There were no railways or canals for many years after he located there, and Pittsburg, sixty-five miles distant in an air line, was the nearest market and depot for supplies. He used to take pine tar and other products in a dug-out to Pittsburg to sell, and sometimes in the winter seasons would go on a sled to Ft. Erie, about seventy miles distant. He died in 1850, and his community was deprived of one of its most worthy and respected citizens. He was a man of large views, of industrious and frugal habits, and of exemplary character. He fought in the War of 1812, and was an officer of his company. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth Hummel, and she was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Christopher and Anna (King) Hummel. She died in Clarion County, Pa., in 1859, leaving the record of a well-spent life. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a descendant of early German settlers of that State. He served as a teamster during the Revolution for a term of five years, furnishing his own team, but never received any remuneration for his work, although his widow drew a pension the last few years of her life.

Our subject was the youngest child of a large family, and passed the early years of his life in his native county, laying the foundation of his education in the common schools, and subsequently advanced it by attendance at the academy at Clarion, and afterward at Greensburg, and for two years studied under a private tutor at Shippenville. He commenced teaching at nineteen, and was thus engaged for several terms in Clarion County. In October, 1852, he went to Indiana, and taught school during the winter, and in March went to Millville, Butler County, where he was licensed to preach by the Miami Synod he having commenced the study of theology in Pennsylvania. His first pastorate was near Greenville, and so successful was he in his work that he organized several churches in that vicinity. In January, 1851, he was called to Albion, Ind., and much to the sorrow of his old parishioners accepted the call. He was stationed there when the war broke out, and September 24, 1861, he offered his services as Chaplain, and became a member of the Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, and went to the front with the regiment, which was dispatched to Kentucky and stationed at Camp Nevin from October until the following December, and was then sent to Camp Wood. He was with the regiment in the following battles: those of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga; was with Sherman on his famous march to Atlanta, in all the engagements that took place on the way, and everywhere did brave service.

During the latter part of the time that our subject was in the army he was on detached service at Nashville and Chattanooga. He was very popular in his capacity of Chaplain, cheering the soldiers in the hours of despondency and weariness, rousing their flagging patriotism and caring for them tenderly when they were wounded and sick, and many a poor soldier had cause to remember him gratefully for his kindly sympathy and never-failing helpfulness in the hour of his greatest need. At the close of the war he was mustered out with his regiment and returned to Indiana. Soon he was called to Elkhart to organize a society there, and he also started two others in the vicinity.

An earnest and effective speaker, our subject was in his element in the pulpit, his natural gifts bore rich fruits, and in his pastoral relations with his people he was all that a spiritual guide should be. He ministered to the congregation in Elkhart until 1870, and was then urged to accept the charge of the religious wants of the inhabitants of Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Mich., where he organized a church, and also organized others in Kalamazoo County, preaching there very acceptably until 1875. From there he went to Brookville, and was at the head of the church there two years, and at the expiration of that time resigned to accept the position of Financial Secretary of the Board of Directors of Wittenberg College. In July, 1877, he took up his abode in Springfield, and has ever since been a resident of this city, retaining his office as financial secretary of the college until 1887, discharging the important duties thus devolving upon him in such a manner as to gain the high commendation of all concerned, and in that capacity was of great benefit to the college, in whose interests he labored with great zeal. During this time the college building was erected, in which he took great interest, and labored hard in raising funds for the same. Since giving up that position he has been engaged in the insurance business, as previously mentioned, and is conducting it with marked success. May 1, 1890, he was appointed Stamp Clerk in the post-office in Springfield, which place he is still filling.

Mr. Delo was united in marriage with Miss Maggie C. Munn, a native of Wooster, Ohio, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth Munn, December 26, 1853. Their pleasant wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of five children — James N., a resident of Salt Lake City; George W. and Eva, who live in Springfield; and Albert Grant, a resident of Cimarron, Colo.

Mr. Delo has become well and favorably known since taking up his abode in Springfield, through his connections with its business, social and religious interests. He is a gentleman of culture, whose liberal education and pleasant manner make him an important social factor in this community. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Mitchell Post, No. 45, in which he has held the highest offices; was Commander in 1889, was Senior-Vice one year, and Chaplain three years.