Wetzel, Daniel Jacob (1888-1959)

Daniel Wetzel was born in Beavertown, Snyder County, PA., on July 22, 1888. He attended Franklin and Marshall Academy, Franklin and Marshall College and the Lancaster Seminary. Upon graduation from Lancaster Seminary in 1915, Rev. Wetzel was licensed by West Susquehanna Classis on May 19, 1915, ordained by Schuylkill Classis on May 31, 1915. He was installed that same day as pastor of St. Peter's Church, Frackville, PA., which he served until 1920. In 1920 he became pastor of Grace Church, Shippensburg where he served for 7 years. On January 16, 1927 he was installed as pastor of First Church, Reading. He retired from active Ministry on January 16, 1958, continued for 5 months as supply Pastor and then was elected Pastor Emeritus, a recognition he deserved for 31 years of service to the congregation. He took active part in the work of the Church at large. He helped to establish Camp Mensch Mill in 1929, served as President of Reading Classis in 1932-1933, and as its Stated Clerk in 1939-1940. Since 1933, he served as a Trustee of Cedar Crest College and in 1938 he was elected the first President of the Commission on Higher Education of the Evangelical and Reformed Church, a position he held for the next 12 years. In 1944 he served as the McCauley lecturer at Lancaster Seminary. In 1940, Franklin and Marshall College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He died on December 29, 1959 at the age of 71. He married Nellie Ruth Berie on June 17, 1915. They had a son Robert (Dec. 10, 1916-Dec. 25 1916), a daughter Jean Betty (b. June 13, 1920), and another daughter (b. Jun 9, 1924). Nellie Ruth Berie Wetzel died May 30, 1951. Rev. Wetzel married Pearl M. Mogel.