Deatrich, William R. H. (1834-1900)

William Deatrich was born in St. Thomas, Franklin County, Pennsylvania on June 28, 1834. He was married to Mary Clark Maxwell on May 3, 1855. Mr. Deatrich attended Franklin and Marshall Collegiate Institute, at Mercersburg, Pa, followed by Franklin Academy at Chambersburg, PA. He studied Theology privately at Chambersburg. Rev. Deatrich was licensed by the Mercersburg Classis in 1860 and ordained in November of 1860. His first charge was the Grindstone Hill Charge, which he served for 3 1/2 years. He then was at the Gettysburg Charge for 9 1/2 years (1864-1873). In 1865 he was chosen as Stated Clerk of Zion's Classis, which he filled for 17 years. He was an honorary member of several literary societies and received honorary degrees from Franklin and Marshall College in 1868 & 1896. He served 5 years on the Board of Trutees of the Potomac Synod. He was pastor of the Mercersburg Charge for 8 years (1873-1881), during which time he was elected a member of the Board of Visitors of the Theological Seminary at Lancaster for 9 years. Next he was pastor of the Newport and New Bloomfield congregations for 1881-1897. In 1882, Rev. Deatrich was elected a member of the Sunday School Board of the Potomac Synod for 5 years. He was also an elected President of the Carlisle Classis twice. As of 1897, Rev. Deatrich was pastor of Trinity Church, New Bloomfield, Newport and St. John's (Marketville).