Dittmar, David Nevin (1849-1925)

David Nevin Dittmar, the son of Elder John and Catherine (Diehl) Dittmar, was born at Loysburg, PA., on January 16, 1849. He was quite proficient in his studies, and at the age of 13 was made an assistant-teacher in the school in which he was a pupil. He then taught for part of each year until he entered the Ministry. In 1867 he entered Mercersburg College. Two years later he entered the Junior Class at Franklin and Marshall College, graduating in 1871. During the school year of 1871-1872 he was a teacher in the Collegiate Institute at Martinsburg, PA. In the fall of 1872 he entered the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, graduating in 1875. He was licensed and ordained by Mercersburg Classis in 1875. Mr. Dittmar was pastor of the St. Clairsville, PA., Charge from 1875 until 1881, and of Redeemer's Reformed Church at Littlestown, PA., from 1881-1891. He was then pastor of the Second Reformed Church, Greensburg, PA., from 1891 until 1895, and of the Fort Washington, PA., Charge from 1895 until 1900. In 1900 he became Field Secretary of the Board of Home Missions. After a most successful career in this position, he resigned in October, 1905, to succeed his brother, Rev. Harry F. Dittmar (who died in June 1905) as pastor of the Jefferson, Md., Charge, serving here until February, 1909. Mr. Dittmar was next pastor of the Hyndman, PA., Charge from 1909 until 1913. He then retired from the active ministry due to ill health. He resided at Mann's Choice, PA. In November, 1924, Mr. Dittmar suffered a stroke of paralysis and was moved to the home of his brother in Loysburg, where he died in the house in which he was born, on February 13, 1925, at the age of 76. Mr. Dittmar had a part in securing the Thirty-Five Thousand Dollar Fund for the establishment of the Potomac Synod Professorship at the Lancaster Theological Seminary. He was an officer of the Society for the Relief of Ministers and Their Widows until his death. Mr. Dittmar never married.